Difference between revisions of "Lancia Beta"

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The '''Lancia Beta''' was a car produced by [[Lancia]]. It was available in [[fastback]]-[[coupé]] and a three-door [[station wagon]] form. The car was available with [[DOHC]] engines from 1.3 L to 2.0 L. The [[Lancia Monte Carlo]] was a [[rear wheel drive]] derivation of the Beta. The car was also available in the beautiful targa top convertible version known as a [[Lancia Zagato]] (Spyder in Europe). The most popular bodystyle was the four-door saloon, which had the wedge-shaped appearance of a hatchback. It gained a reputation for being rust-prone and this damaged the whole marque's sales success on most export markets. Production ran from 1972 until 1984.
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{| border=1 align="right" cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 width=250  style="margin-left:3em; margin-bottom: 2em;"
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|-
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|colspan=2|[[Image:lanciabeta.jpg|250px|'''Lancia Beta Spider at Wheels Of Italy''']]
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|-
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!colspan=2 style="color: white; background: darkred;"|Lancia Beta
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|Production:||[[1972]]–[[1984]]
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|-
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|Manufacturer:||[[Lancia]]
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|}
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[[Image:LanciaHPESide.jpg|thumb|right|Lancia HPE]]
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[[Image:LanciaBetaSpiderRoofOff.jpg|thumb|right|Lancia Beta Spider (roof off)]]
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[[Image:LanciaBetaSpiderRoofOn.jpg|thumb|right|Lancia Beta Spider (roof on)]]
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[[Image:LanciaBeta.jpg|thumb|right|Lancia Beta Coupé]]
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The '''Lancia Beta''' was a car produced by [[Lancia]]. It was the first Lancia produced by the company after it had been taken over by [[Fiat]] in 1969. The company chose the name Beta for a new vehicle to be launched in 1972. The choice of name symbolised a new beginning as it reflected the fact that the company’s founder, [[Vincenzo Lancia]] (1881-1937), utilized letters of the Greek alphabet for his early vehicles (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc). Beta had been used before for Lancia’s 1908 car and again for a 1953 bus! Lancia had originally utilized the first letter of the Greek alphabet: Alpha. But this was not chosen for the new 1972 Lancia, due to the obvious confusion it might cause with a certain Milanese competitor called [[Alfa Romeo]].
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The Beta was available in a number of different body styles:
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1. The most popular bodystyle was the four-door saloon or [[sedan]], which had the wedge-shaped appearance of a hatchback but in fact had a conventional boot. Late in the saloon's life it underwent a drastic reworking with assistance from [[Pininfarina]] and became known as the Beta Trevi.
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2. The second style to appear was a two door [[coupé]].
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3. The next version to be launched was a two door [[convertible]] called the [[Spider]] (or Zagato in America). The Spider featured a [[Targa top]] roof panel, a roll-over bar and folding rear hood. The Spider was designed by Pininfarina but actually built by [[Zagato]].
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4. Then came a three-door [[station wagon#Wagons Around the World|shooting brake]] called the HPE. HPE stood for High Performance Estate and then later on stood for High Performance Executive.
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5. The final variant was the Pininfarina designed and built two door [[Lancia Monte Carlo]]. This was a [[rear wheel drive]] [[mid engined]] two seater sportscar.
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All versions of the car came with [[DOHC]] engines, five speed gearboxes, [[rack and pinion steering]], [[independent suspension]] all round and disc braking on all four wheels. The front wheel drive models were available in a number of engine capacities ranging from 1.3 L to 2.0 L.  
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The different models all underwent various revisions and improvements over the years.[[Power steering]] specially produced by the German company [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] became available on certain Left Hand Drive models and was also used on the [[Lancia Gamma|Gamma]]. Electronic ignition became available in 1978. [[Automatic transmission]] became available in 1979; the Beta was the first Lancia manufactured with an automatic transmission factory option. In 1981 power steering also became available on certain Right Hand Drive models. Late in the model's life the Trevi, Coupe and HPE became available with a [[Rootes]]-type [[supercharger]]; these variants were known as Volumex models.
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For some the Beta could never be a true Lancia, because of its use of the [[Fiat]] based engine. However, it must be remembered that the Fiat DOHC engine (originally designed by [[Aurelio Lampredi]], who built engines for [[Ferrari]] until Fiat employed him) was one of the most advanced 4 cylinder engines in the world at that time. It is now regarded as a classic engine in its own right.
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Nevertheless the Beta was well received by the motoring press and public when launched. The various models were praised for their lively performance as well as their good handling and roadholding. They were widely regarded as a "driver's car" with plenty of character. The Beta was competitively priced and became the highest ever selling Lancia model up to that point.
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Unfortunately a combination of poor quality steel, poor rust proofing and poor quality paint techniques at the factory lead to the Beta gaining a reputation for being rust-prone. Particularly the 1st Series vehicles. Whilst later Betas were better protected from the elements, these issues damaged the whole marque's sales success on most export markets.  
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Production ran from 1972 until 1984.
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==Lancia Beta in movies==
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In ''[[Bad Timing]]'', the character played by [[Art Garfunkel]] drives a red Lancia Beta Spider in the streets of [[Vienna]].
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'''1979 Lancia Beta L Strada'''
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<gallery>
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image:1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 1.jpg
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image:1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 2.jpg
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image:1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 3.jpg
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image:1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 4.jpg
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</gallery>
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'''1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider'''
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<gallery>
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image:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 1.jpg
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image:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 2.jpg
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image:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 3.jpg
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image:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 4.jpg
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image:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 6.jpg
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image:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 7.jpg
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</gallery>
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<br clear=all>
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{| style="margin:0 auto;" align=center width=75% id=toc
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|width=10%|
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|align=center width=80%| Lancia S.p.A.'''
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----
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|width=10%|
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|--
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|align=center colspan=3|
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[[Lancia 037 | 037]] / [[Lancia Rally | Rally]] | [[Lancia Appia | Appia]] | [[Lancia Aprilia | Aprilia]] | [[Lancia Ardea | Ardea]] | [[Lancia Artena | Artena]] | [[Lancia Astura | Astura]] | [[Lancia Augusta | Augusta]] (1932-1937) | [[Lancia Aurelia | Aurelia]] | [[Lancia Beta | Beta]] | [[Lancia Dedra | Dedra]] | [[Lancia Delta | Delta]] (1979-1994) | [[Lancia Dilamda | Dilamda]] (1928-1938) | [[Lancia Fulvia Dunja | Fulvia Dunja]] (1971) | [[Lancia Flaminia | Flaminia]] | [[Lancia Flavia | Flavia ]] | [[Lancia Fulvia | Fulvia]] (1963-1976) | [[Lancia Gamma | Gamma]] | [[Lancia Hyena | Hyena]] | [[Lancia Kappa | Kappa]] | [[Lancia Lambda | Lambda]] (1922-1931) | [[Lancia Lybra | Lybra]] | [[Lancia Monte Carlo | Monte Carlo]] | [[Lancia Prisma | Prisma]] (1982-1990) | [[Lancia Pagani | Pagani]] (1947) | [[Lancia Phedra | Phedra]] | [[Lancia Stratos| Stratos]] | [[Lancia Thema | Thema]] | [[Lancia Thesis | Thesis]] (2001-) | [[Lancia Y10 | Y10]] | [[Lancia Zagato | Zagato]] | [[Lancia Zeta| Zeta]] | [[Lancia Ypsilon | Ypsilon]]
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----
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<center>[[Lancia]]</center>
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|--
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|}
  
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{{Modern-auto-stub}}
 
  
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{{Lancia}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Lancia vehicles|Beta]]
 
[[Category:Lancia vehicles|Beta]]

Revision as of 09:31, 3 January 2007

Lancia Beta Spider at Wheels Of Italy
Lancia Beta
Production: 1972–1984
Manufacturer: Lancia
Lancia HPE
Lancia Beta Spider (roof off)
Lancia Beta Spider (roof on)
Lancia Beta Coupé

The Lancia Beta was a car produced by Lancia. It was the first Lancia produced by the company after it had been taken over by Fiat in 1969. The company chose the name Beta for a new vehicle to be launched in 1972. The choice of name symbolised a new beginning as it reflected the fact that the company’s founder, Vincenzo Lancia (1881-1937), utilized letters of the Greek alphabet for his early vehicles (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc). Beta had been used before for Lancia’s 1908 car and again for a 1953 bus! Lancia had originally utilized the first letter of the Greek alphabet: Alpha. But this was not chosen for the new 1972 Lancia, due to the obvious confusion it might cause with a certain Milanese competitor called Alfa Romeo.

The Beta was available in a number of different body styles: 1. The most popular bodystyle was the four-door saloon or sedan, which had the wedge-shaped appearance of a hatchback but in fact had a conventional boot. Late in the saloon's life it underwent a drastic reworking with assistance from Pininfarina and became known as the Beta Trevi. 2. The second style to appear was a two door coupé. 3. The next version to be launched was a two door convertible called the Spider (or Zagato in America). The Spider featured a Targa top roof panel, a roll-over bar and folding rear hood. The Spider was designed by Pininfarina but actually built by Zagato. 4. Then came a three-door shooting brake called the HPE. HPE stood for High Performance Estate and then later on stood for High Performance Executive. 5. The final variant was the Pininfarina designed and built two door Lancia Monte Carlo. This was a rear wheel drive mid engined two seater sportscar.

All versions of the car came with DOHC engines, five speed gearboxes, rack and pinion steering, independent suspension all round and disc braking on all four wheels. The front wheel drive models were available in a number of engine capacities ranging from 1.3 L to 2.0 L.

The different models all underwent various revisions and improvements over the years.Power steering specially produced by the German company ZF became available on certain Left Hand Drive models and was also used on the Gamma. Electronic ignition became available in 1978. Automatic transmission became available in 1979; the Beta was the first Lancia manufactured with an automatic transmission factory option. In 1981 power steering also became available on certain Right Hand Drive models. Late in the model's life the Trevi, Coupe and HPE became available with a Rootes-type supercharger; these variants were known as Volumex models.

For some the Beta could never be a true Lancia, because of its use of the Fiat based engine. However, it must be remembered that the Fiat DOHC engine (originally designed by Aurelio Lampredi, who built engines for Ferrari until Fiat employed him) was one of the most advanced 4 cylinder engines in the world at that time. It is now regarded as a classic engine in its own right.

Nevertheless the Beta was well received by the motoring press and public when launched. The various models were praised for their lively performance as well as their good handling and roadholding. They were widely regarded as a "driver's car" with plenty of character. The Beta was competitively priced and became the highest ever selling Lancia model up to that point.

Unfortunately a combination of poor quality steel, poor rust proofing and poor quality paint techniques at the factory lead to the Beta gaining a reputation for being rust-prone. Particularly the 1st Series vehicles. Whilst later Betas were better protected from the elements, these issues damaged the whole marque's sales success on most export markets.

Production ran from 1972 until 1984.

Lancia Beta in movies

In Bad Timing, the character played by Art Garfunkel drives a red Lancia Beta Spider in the streets of Vienna.






1979 Lancia Beta L Strada

  • 1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 1.jpg
  • 1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 2.jpg
  • 1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 3.jpg
  • 1979 Lancia Beta L Strada 4.jpg


1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider

  • 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 1.jpg
  • 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 2.jpg
  • 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 3.jpg
  • 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 4.jpg
  • 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 6.jpg
  • 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato Spider 7.jpg


Lancia S.p.A.

037 / Rally | Appia | Aprilia | Ardea | Artena | Astura | Augusta (1932-1937) | Aurelia | Beta | Dedra | Delta (1979-1994) | Dilamda (1928-1938) | Fulvia Dunja (1971) | Flaminia | Flavia | Fulvia (1963-1976) | Gamma | Hyena | Kappa | Lambda (1922-1931) | Lybra | Monte Carlo | Prisma (1982-1990) | Pagani (1947) | Phedra | Stratos | Thema | Thesis (2001-) | Y10 | Zagato | Zeta | Ypsilon

Lancia
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