Lancia Beta

The Lancia Beta (raising the monogram Lancia β) is the first Lancia to be created, in 1972, since the recovery by the group FIAT, in 1969.

Lancia Beta Berlina (Truck)

The Truck Beta was revealed for the first time at the auto show of Turin, in 1972. Its name is an analogy with the éponyme Beta, of 1909. A kind of return to zero, with a Greek alphabet, by exceeding obviously clumsy Lancia Alpha, well too near to Alfa Romeo.

Three engines are available to its exit. All are derivatives of the famous double camshaft of Aurelio Lampredi. Their cubic capacities are 1400 (90 horses and 11.8 mkg of couple), 1600 (100 horses and 13.1 mkg) and 1800 (110 horses and 14.7 mkg) cubic centimeters. Lancia worked over again this engine: for its site, longitudinal, and to adapt it to Beta, which is a traction. The preceding engines Lampredi were indeed affixed on FIAT 124 sport and FIAT 125, which are Propulsion S. Moreover, engineers de Lancia improved the power and the couple with low mode, compared to the original block. First Beta thus had the logo FIAT on the two masks tumblers!

From the point of view of the equipment, Beta was relatively in advance, with a box 5 speeds for all the models (including the bottom-of-the-range future 1300 ), of 4 brakes disc with system " Superduplex " (double circuit) and distributer of braking, and entirely independent suspension S before/back. The instrumentation is particularly complete (Manomètre, temperature, electronic Tachymètre…). The top-of-the-range versions ( 1600 , 1800 ) had moreover refinements like the supports adjustable heads, 2 speeds of essuis ices + intermittency, the headlights car-adjusted in height, one avoids breeze tinted. The 1800 ES (model with high equipment, " Equipaggiamento Special ") has as for it alloy rims, a roof sliding and of the electric panes… in 1974!

Safety was not in remainder, with, in addition to an active safety worthy of a Lancia (handling, braking, precise direction, powerful engine), interesting passive safety members: controlled deformation of the body in the event of shock, reinforced cockpit.

The 1300 (82 horses) will hardly replace two years after its exit the 1400 .

In 1975 it is the second series of Berlina Beta which leaves, with a better visibility obtained by the increase of glazed surface. The 4 round headlights leave room to rectangular optics. An engine of 2 liters is established, with one returned of 118 horses and 17.8 mkg of couple. The 1600 is modified, obtaining a power equivalent to preceding, but to different modes.

The third series appears in 1979, with a new grill, an instrument panel very innovating (due to the designer Mario Bellini), an instrumentation even more complete, and a " electronic check control " , allowing to see the defects of the vehicle at a glance. The truck 1300 is abandoned.

The Trevi (" Tre Volumi ", three volumes) is established in 1980. It has the same engines as series 2 and 3, but its line is clearly more insipid and traditional that the truck.

One year later, Lancia adapts an electronic injection Bosch on its 2000 , " Iniezione Elettronica ", passing the power with vain 122 horses with 6400 turns/minute. The Beta truck is stopped the same year, and only Trevi remains in place.

In 1982, exceptional the Volumex is available on the Trevi , under the name of Trevi VX . This compressing, grafted with a 2000 , develops 135 horses, and a couple with low absolutely phenomenal mode. It is one of the first compressors (and not Turbocompresseur) to being available on a mass-production car since a few tens of years.

In 1984, the Trevi , which remained in 1600 , 2000 and VX is definitively stopped, putting an end to Beta Truck/Trevi, after a total production of 195.462 units, including 36.784 Trevi.

Lancia Cut Beta

Cut Beta was initially presented to the Auto show of Frankfurt, in 1973, about one year after the Truck, whose relationship is not particularly obvious. It is the team responsible for the drawing of the Fulvia Coupé which dealt with Cut the Beta project. Oil crisis obliges, it is necessary to wait until Mars 1974 to see the Half-compartment on the market. The original engines, a 1600 and a 1800 treated to even the luxury to be much more powerful than those of the truck (108 horses and 13.8 mkg, and 120 horses and 15.3 mkg, which, for one 1800, is notable all the same). The Half-compartment inherits the same bodies of brakes, suspensions and gear box that the Truck.

Cut Beta is a half-compartment 2+2, with two places before fort comfortable and roomy, a large trunk for the category, and two back places very contained (and a roof which goes down very quickly, preventing a person of more than one meter 80 from being held right to with it!). The instrumentation of the half-compartment was provided even than the Truck, with a Voltmètre, two pressure gauges (water/oil), and an off-set gauge of oil level!

In September 1975, the second series, with some esthetic modifications and interior way the day. The Half-compartment receives then the engines 1600 and 2000 of the truck… which are less powerful than the 1600 and 1800 preceding.

In 1976, it is charming a small half-compartment 1300 which is put on the market, putting fine at the production of the Fulvia Coupé. The 1300 is however less better equipped than his/her big sisters, but has an engine which will develop 2 horses moreover than the 1300 of the truck, with the restylage of 1981.

A restylage intervenes in 1978, and it is in 1981 that appears the final restylage, with a grill new generation, very widespread since. The 2000 IE of the Truck is available… but the 2000 with Carburateur remains on the market!

It is in June 1983 which arrives the Coupé Volumex , VX , an engine 2000 with mechanical compressor, priding itself on performances improved with 135 horses and a phenomenal couple with all modes. One recognizes the Volumex version of the half-compartment, with logo VX on the grill, and a protuberance on the front cap, as well as a becquet and spoiler (black)

It is, as for the truck, in 1984, that the Half-compartment sees its production stopping, with 111.801 produced units.

Lancia Beta HPE

Lancia Spider Beta

Spider was a version " découvrable" cut Beta.

A standard rigid removable roof " Targa" took seat with the top of the front places. With the back, it is flexible glasses rabatable which gave access the free air. Imposing it central arch of safety (color body) remained then.

The trunk was longer and more punt that on the half-compartment and the rear lights are specific to this version.

Lancia Beta Monte Carlo (Scorpion in the USA)

Montecarlo was a version of Lancia Beta, with central engine.

External bonds

Squadra ßeta : The Site dedicated to Lancia ßeta
Lancia Club France: the French Club to the 600 Lancia including 150 Beta
French Forum of mutual aid to the owners of Beta

Random links: