Lancia HPE 2000 Volumex

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Lancia introduced its lithe-looking shooting brake, the HPE, into the Beta range in 1975. The HPE (High Performance Estate) sat on the 1972 Beta saloon chassis, but incorporated the coupe’s front end and doors. 

Like the coupe, the handsome bodywork was designed in-house by Aldo Castagno and Pietro Castagnero. The HPE used the same running gear as the rest of the Beta family; fully independent McPherson strut suspension, disc brakes all round and rack-and-pinion steering.

After an early engine upgrade, they were produced with either1585cc or 1995cc twin overhead cam, four-cylinder engines driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. An automatic version became available in 1978, as did power steering.

In 1983 a supercharger option, the Volumex, was also available. These cars were the highest performers in the Beta range, the engine yielding 135bhp and 148lb ft. Some 2,370 HPE Volumex models were produced, with only 186 in right hand-drive, before the range was discontinued in 1984.

With just four owners from new, this late model supercharged HPE has an understated elegance in dark metallic grey. The estate back and longer wheelbase give it more graceful lines than the coupe. It’s more practical too, while retaining a distinctive ‘Italian design house’ look.

The car has covered 127,226 miles with service bills and invoices to substantiate the mileage and attest to careful ownership. The engine underwent a cambelt change at 90,000 miles. Since February 2001, the car has been on display at the Stondon Motor Museum but is now ready to stretch its legs once again. Lancias of this period offer a well-balanced drive and something different from the default Euro-box ‘80s fare.