The close collaboration between the Modena company and Lancia led to the production of a flagship with a strong heart. The name Thema Ferrari will already send a shiver down the backs of nostalgic people.
The Thema Ferrari was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1986, leaving everyone breathless. The powerful 8-cylinder 32-valve engine, from which the 8.32 took its name, a 90° V of 2927 cubic cm under the hood of the Thema was delivered by Ferrari. On an aesthetic level the car had many traditional details, but the addition of the V8 engine changed everything.
After adopting it on the Ferrari 308 and the Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole, the technicians in Maranello equipped the Lancia with the 32-valve 8-cylinder engine to challenge the BMW M5, the Mercedes 500E and the 190E 2.3 16. The list of options was particularly long: the dashboard, door panels, gearbox and steering wheel coverings were handmade by Poltrona Frau.
Furthermore, the flagship featured a radio telephone in the armrest, a stereo with headphones for the rear passengers, a sunroof, wood on the doors and on the entire instrument panel. The 8.32, in 1986, also competed with Jaguar and the top of the international range. Those were different times for the Lancia brand, which is now orphaned by other models outside of the Ypsilon. Sportsmanship was combined in different forms, starting with the Delta, queen of rallies.
Ferrari’s contribution to the Lancia project
The Thema with Ferrari engine was liked by the general public. Numerous tests were conducted which also saw the former Scudera driver, Ivan Capelli, as protagonist. It took a lot of effort to complete the checks on the first 20 examples of the 8.32 built. A blue 8.32 was delivered to Fiat vice president Umberto Agnelli, to Cesare Romiti, general director of FIAT, a gray 8.32 and to the CEO. by FIAT, Vittorio Ghidella, an amaranth-colored 8.32. Below is a wonderful video extract of the Fiat historic center.
Deliveries began in the first months of 1987. The rear wing stood out and, for the first time in the world, was hidden in the trunk. An idea that was further developed by all the manufacturing companies. The Thema’s “8.32” logo stood out on a yellow background with the three colors green, white and red on the side margin which refer to the Ferrari coat of arms. There were 15-inch alloy wheels inspired, in their star design, by the Maranello berlinettas.
Among the options there was automatic air conditioning, electrically operated sunroof, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, electrically adjustable rear seats, real leather upholstery, radio telephone preparation, Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 car radio with headphones for rear passengers, rear seat belts with reel, centralized remote control for opening/closing doors, headlight wipers and, since 1988, the unprecedented controlled damping suspensions. The Thema Ferrari 8.32 first series was produced in 2370 examples. The Thema Ferrari 8.32 second series was produced in 1150 units with targeted updates.
