1978 Lancia Beta 2000 Monte Carlo

The Lancia Montecarlo (Type 137) is a Pininfarina-designed mid-engined sports car produced by Lancia in Italy from 1975 to 1981.

The Lancia was really a bit of a dog.

To look at the Montecarlo you would think that it was a supercar but in reality, under its attractive skin, it was far humbler than that. It had been launched as a larger brother to the Fiat X-19 sports car, but whereas that was a perky performer the performance of the Monte Carlo was decidedly average. And have you ever heard of a supercar with vinyl upholstery?

The power plant was designed by an ex-Ferrari engineer called Aurelia Lampredi; it was a twin cam two litre straight four-cylinder engine generating 120 brake horsepower with nought to 60 mph in nine seconds; not bad on the face of it. The engine was placed just in front of the rear wheels which helped to keep the car in balance and with radial tyres, a wide wheel base, alloy wheels and a sporty suspension system steering and roadholding were quite acceptable. The style of the car was aggressive; it looked as though it was fast and could handle well.

From the once large and innovative brand Lancia, only a sad remainder is still visible. Possibly this changes in the next years. The Stellantis group is apparently planning a kind of revival as a luxury brand for electric cars. Until that happens, however, all that remains is to look back at very different vehicles that have contributed to the creation of legends in their own way.

The Lancia Beta was a poor car. As a company Lancia had always been looked upon as being a minor player but an innovative one; after the Beta it’s reputation was badly besmirched. If Vincenzo Lancia had still been alive he would have wept.