Forbidden Fruit Fridays

We're kicking off a new recurring post here at CICFS: Forbidden Fruit Fridays. These shorter posts will feature cars unavailable in the United States - especially those that would make Europeans shake their head in disapproval. The grass is not always greener on the other side, after all. To kick off this feature, we've selected a Lancia Dedra Station wagon. These are nothing to lust after in their native Italy, but the novelty of a manual station wagon Lancia is too strong for an American website such as CICFS to ignore!

The Dedra sits on the Fiat Type Three platform shared with the Alfa Romeo 155 and Fiat Tempra. From the looks of the cam covers, the 16V version's 102hp 16V engine is an evolution of the classic Fiat Lampredi twin cam engine. And, unlike in the BMW e30 wagon, lifting the rear hatch gains you access to the entire load floor - no taillights in the way here.

Year: 1995
Model:  Lancia Dedra Station Wagon
Engine: 1.6L 4-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  59,000 km
Price: €4,500
Location: Milan, Italy

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 Lancia Dedra Station Wagon

endo per inutilizzo Meravigliosa Lancia Dedra SW 16 i.e Cat. benzina del 1995. Versione LS la più accessoriata, pari al nuovo. Le foto sono datate 23/08/2020. Revisione ok fino al 2021, full optional ASI (CRS) e Certificato di Identità (targa ORO). Esente bollo regione Lombardia e assicurazione agevolata. Come già detto la macchina è pari al nuovo mai restaurata tutto originale Km. 59.000 certificati con libretto e tagliandi tutti rigorosamente in Lancia. Unico proprietario, tenuta sempre in garage 25 anni un gioiello per la vista, pezzo unico per amanti del genere e collezionisti, il prezzo è di €4.500

The engine is outmatched by the heavier chassis, but it should still sound nice to rev it out through the gears. Certain parts would be difficult to chase down, given that these aren't the most desirable car to be based on the Type Three platform. And importation costs will add 25% to the entire transaction. But, if you must have a small Italian station wagon, this is certainly a good option.

-Graham