eh, no - Ghibli and QP have Chrysler LX bones but this is a new platform sharing zero with existing FCA vehicles. Look for them to amortize this 'Giorgio' platform across basically everything else from here on out (that isn't CUSW) but Ghibli it ain't.

Honestly, it was really only the first couple years of Beta sedans that rusted so badly. Apparently a British news show did an “expose” (a la 60 Minutes and tip-happy Troopers, or accelerating Audis, etc) where they showed footage of junked Betas described as recently bought back ones.

Please don't break or ruin the tail lights. They're pretty much unobtainium these days.

You can’t really drop a Miata powertrain in there, unless you meant wrapping the Beta sheetmetal around the Miata chassis. Because FWD vs. RWD.

You do know that's a Fulvia, right? Which is way more fun to drive than the Beta Zagato. How do I know? I have a Beta. And want a Fulvia. Which also came as a Zagato, but that ain't one.

Sergio's talk of merger was a cover story for their pending acquisition of Daimler.

My Lancia’s headlights have declined to turn on for a while now. I’ve gone through three sets of wiper/turn signal/headlight switch stalk assemblies and now need to splice several together to get at least one that does all those functions correctly at once.

Only the later UConnect has wireless connectivity. My 2010 Ram isn’t hackable unless you hardwire something in, at which point I’m just guessing it would be easier/faster/cheaper to just shoot me.

#4. Preaching to the choir. I have enough trouble finding a club to network with, never mind arguing with EVERY SINGLE service person about how to pronounce “Lancia”.

um, OK. Your retort of “You can have fun adjusting the points on that thing all you want” suggests you were under the impression that the Slant Six had points while the AMC motor didn’t. Not sure the relevance, as well as your dismissal of “slant six guys” in general.

Just so you know, the Slant Six (along with all Chryslers) gained standard electronic ignition in 1973, so no need to adjust the points that AMC kept around until 1978.

“most reliable engine Chrysler has ever used...”

I nominate the Jaguar XJS. You try to follow the legendary E type while your chassis is dictated by a sedan, OPEC has poisoned your final gestation with an oil embargo designed to suck your V12 soul dry and the powers that be decide a GT is superior to a sports car - and leave you to try to do both.

Having witnessed too many attempt this and flame out spectacularly, I can say it rarely works as intended. Often the clerk appears to comply yet gives them the same class of room I'm getting (as we wind up in same elevator, same floor, usually a few doors down).

You know, it’s kinda funny being at Italian-centric car shows. I have a Lancia, a cheap Beta with rust and FI problems, but several people I know have impressive collections and are often invited to top drawer events.

You sold it with "Alpha"

DING DING DING WINNAH

You realize that I am not a proponent of cup holders as a measure of an automobile, right? My Lancia has none, my XJS has none, but they have 7 ashtrays between them.

I don't make the rules.

Honestly, the number reason why it would fail in the market today is zero - count ‘em - zero cupholders. Think about it - BMW was a niche player until they introduced real, serious 64-oz-SuperBigGulp-capable cupholders.