Unusual Cars model guide
Lancia Thema 8.32
Ferrari-derived V8 power, discreet Giugiaro lines and one of the most extraordinary executive-car specifications of the 1980s.
Quick answer: the Thema 8.32 was Lancia’s Ferrari-engined flagship, introduced in 1986 and produced until 1992. Its name referred to eight cylinders and 32 valves. The 2,927 cc V8 was derived from the Ferrari 308 and Mondial Quattrovalvole family but re-engineered for a refined front-wheel-drive saloon. It produced 215 PS in early non-catalysed form and 205 PS with a catalyst. Every 8.32 was left-hand drive, yet a tiny number were officially sold in Britain.
A super-saloon hiding in plain sight
The ordinary Thema was one of the Type Four executive cars developed alongside the Saab 9000, Fiat Croma and Alfa Romeo 164. Giugiaro’s clean shape gave Lancia a spacious, modern flagship without visual excess. For the 8.32, Lancia retained that restraint. Five-spoke wheels, subtle sill stripes, discreet badges and a unique grille were the principal clues. The electrically retractable rear spoiler, raised by a dashboard control, supplied the theatre.
Inside, hand-finished wood, Alcantara and optional Poltrona Frau leather mattered as much as performance. The car was intended as a luxurious express rather than a four-door Ferrari impersonation.
The Ferrari-derived V8
The transverse 2.9-litre V8 shared its architecture with Ferrari’s contemporary four-cam, 32-valve unit, but it was not simply lifted unchanged from a 308. A cross-plane crankshaft, different firing order, revised induction and softer tuning produced smoother torque and a more appropriate character for a large saloon. Ducati assisted with component manufacture. Drive passed through a five-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels.
| Specification | Lancia Thema 8.32 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2,927 cc, 32-valve V8 |
| Power | 215 PS; 205 PS with catalyst |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive |
| 0–62 mph | About 7 seconds |
| Top speed | About 149 mph |
| Production | Approximately 3,500 |
| Steering | Left-hand drive only |
The 8.32 in the UK
The 8.32 was available to British buyers despite never being converted to right-hand drive. Contemporary pricing of roughly £40,000 placed it deep into prestige-car territory, above many obvious German alternatives. Only nine are widely reported to have been officially supplied in Britain, although later private imports mean more examples have lived here. That makes an original UK-supplied car especially interesting, but provenance matters more than the position of the steering wheel.
Series 1 and Series 2
The first series has the cleaner early Thema nose and the full 215 PS output in non-catalysed form. The 1988 facelift brought revised lamps, grille and trim, plus detail improvements. Catalysed cars produced 205 PS. Some cars have electronically controlled suspension, a desirable period feature but another system to inspect carefully. Condition, maintenance history and originality should outweigh the minor differences between series.
What to check before buying
- Timing-belt history: insist on invoices showing recent belts, tensioners and related work by someone familiar with the installation. Access is tight and deferred servicing becomes expensive.
- Cooling and lubrication: inspect hoses, radiator, fans and expansion tank, then look for oil leaks and evidence of overheating.
- Fuel injection and electrics: poor starting, erratic idle and warning lights can signal age-related wiring, sensor or injection faults.
- Clutch and gearbox: check for clutch slip, baulking synchros and noise on the overrun. Front tyres should match and wear evenly.
- Suspension and brakes: tired dampers, bushes and hydraulic components can spoil the car. Test any electronic damping modes.
- Body structure: examine sills, jacking points, arches, floor, boot, screen surrounds and subframe mountings for corrosion or old repairs.
- Spoiler and cabin: verify the retractable spoiler works smoothly. Original leather, wood, switches and trim are costly to replace.
- Identity: confirm chassis and engine numbers, import history and whether the car was one of the handful officially supplied in Britain.
Why it matters
The Thema 8.32 is compelling because its contradictions were deliberate. It combined a conservative executive body, lavish Italian cabin and an exotic engine in a front-wheel-drive package nobody else attempted. It is not the easiest classic to own and it should never be bought without specialist inspection, but a properly maintained example is one of Lancia’s most distinctive road cars.
Research basis: Lancia/Stellantis Heritage material, contemporary UK market reporting and specialist auction records. Production totals vary between period summaries; approximately 3,500 is the most consistently supported figure for the two series.
