When Fiat took over Lancia in 1969, the company had ceased to be a technical director the year after the death of technical director Antonio Fessia. Ing. Sergio Camuffo was given the task of developing the new Lancia model in the early 1970s.
What is in a name?
The company chose the name Beta for the newcomer that would be launched in 1972. The choice of the name symbolized a new beginning as it paid homage to the company's founder, Vincenzo Lancia (1881-1937), who wrote letters from the Greek alfabet used for his early creations – such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and so on. The name 'Beta' had been used before, for 1908 Lancias and later for a 1953 bus. Lancia had previously used the first letter of the Greek alfabet, Alpha, but it was not chosen for the new 1972 Lancia because of the obvious confusion it could cause with Alfa Romeo. And only in politics is confusion a prized commodity.
In different flavors
The Beta was made in several body styles, a four-door fastback saloon (Beta berlina), four-door, three-door, sedan sedan (Beta Trevi), two-door coupé (Beta Coupé), two-door Targa (Beta Spider)
Although some of the technical staff had left the company in the difficult years before the Fiat takeover, Camuffo was able to bring together a hard core of Lancia technicians - who were tasked with getting the car into service by the end of 1972. production. Romanini did the chassis design, Zaccone Mina the engine development, with Gilio and Bencini for the testing. All this was done within a very short timeframe and the development budget was also relatively limited. These were key factors influencing the decision to use an existing power source: Fiat's four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshaft and its alloy head and cast iron block.
An optimistic calculation model
At the launch of the Beta in late 1972, Fiat chief Gianni Agnelli told journalists that Lancia production would be around 1972 units in 40.000. That was at a time when a volume of 100.000 units was needed to cover the fixed costs of developing and building the cars. Lancia's limited profitability and resulting capabilities were also evidenced by the lack of replacement models under development at the time of the Fiat acquisition. Much loved, the Lancia Fulvia was developed with little regard for its cost-effective manufacture. So it was expensive to make and expensive to sell. That didn't do sales any good.
Affordable quality
The goal of the new owner of the company with the new Beta was to maintain the quality image and margins of existing Lancias, while keeping development time and production costs to a minimum by leveraging the technology and components of the Fiat group. In the project, a well-known existing Fiat engine was modified, mounted transversely and the front wheels were driven. The gearbox was a derivative of a transmission unit subsequently produced by Fiat partner Citroën was developed. But above all, and unlike the Fulvia, the Beta design was relatively inexpensive to manufacture in volumes significantly higher than predecessor Lancia sedans.
I am now driving my 3rd HPE. In the 90s a 2000 carburetion (1982) and later a 2000 Volumex (1984). Both rusted away. Now for six months, a 1600 1978 in mint condition, from the 2nd owner in Rome, tectylated from new and not a speck of rust. Proof of purchase was still there. It stood still for years, so yes, had the head overhauled (at Wassenberg in Amsterdam, a real connoisseur of vintage Lancias) and renewed some other moving things. Special car! And you hardly see them in the Netherlands anymore.
As already described here, this HPE remains a dream car with ditto color and upholstery.
when I was 21 years old I saw a lancia beta coupe 1975 1800cc
in the north district, driven for years until it fell apart
am now 58 years old
Bought two coupes 17 years ago
made 1 car out of it
is now like new, almost ten years on it
adapted to my taste, original separate spoiler
16-inch intergral rims below
reduced
dark anthracite metallic color
absolutely great
brown leather interior first type
the value now starts to increase a little
because most of them no longer exist
too bad I can't post a photo
drive really super tight
“The Beta is made in different body styles, a four-door fastback saloon (Beta berlina), four-door, three-door, sedan sedan (Beta Trevi), two-door coupé (Beta Coupé), two-door Targa (Beta Spider)”
And in this list it is precisely the car that is missing in the picture; the Beta HPE.
In the early 70s, most German, Japanese, British and Italian competitors drove around with a driven rigid rear axle, often still with leaf springs, while the drive was often based on old-fashioned technology. The Lampredi DOHC was the engine to beat in the 70s, 80s and 90s and was also used in the Delta Integrale, for example, Alfa 155 Q4 and my ex Abarth Ritmo. Beta, Sud and FIAT's own 127 and 128 were extremely modern and it remains a great pity about the Russian slag steel that was used in the early 70s… it has proven to do a lot of damage to the image.
Had a trevi volumex for a few years.
what a fantastic car, despite some electrical problems behind the dashboard.
Very nice car! The owner is fortunate to have this gem! I drove a Delta from '92 myself, but after about 12 years it was eaten by the rust devil ... I was also not very pleased with the engine because it sometimes suddenly stopped at cold temperatures and then started very difficult ... Problem is never can be solved ... It is a pity that today this glorious brand only produces Ypsilons for the Italian market ....
Very beautiful indeed. The owner is Classic Cars Arnhem. And the car is up for adoption
Lancia Beta is still a fun car to drive, which attracts a lot of attention and always provides a chat on the road. I am fortunate to have the Spyder variant and I am already looking forward to the beautiful days that will come after the cold winter, roof panel in the trunk and enjoy.
I look outside… It is the end of November. It's gray… It's raining. Just keep going!
Beautiful interior. Beautiful dashboard gauges, beautiful armchairs, beautiful carriage, with a unique Italian chic cut.
I would like to drive away on the road from Rome to Naples. From Genoa to Nice. From Maubeuge to Perpignan on the Route Nationale. Or a ride on the dikes of the Maas.
Marco from Classic Cars Arnhem is more of a enthusiast than a dealer, but the car is up for adoption!