1980 Lancia Beta

Following the Lancia Beta Berlina’s successful debut in 1972, the next Beta to be announced was the pert Coupe, first shown in 1973 as the natural successor to the much-loved Fulvia Coupe V4 (which continued until 1976), but not put into production until early 1974. Based mechanically around the 1.6 and 1.8 Beta Berlina, but using a shorter wheelbase than the four-door saloon, the Beta Coupe wore unique coachwork, styled in-house, with a light, airy 2+2 interior.

Within 18 months of its launch, a second series Beta Coupe was introduced, identifiable by a revised, less ornate grille and headlamps, plus a more efficient 115 bhp 2-litre twin cam to replace the previous 120 bhp 1.8 unit. In 1978 the option of automatic transmission – a first for any Lancia – became available, as did power assisted steering.

At the height of the Beta’slater rust problems, in the UK local distributor launched a special edition Hi-Fi model to help shift huge stocks of unsold Coupes, with coachbuilder Tickford tasked with adding lower body stripes and a questionable rear boot spoiler, plus an expensive audio system, to make these older 1981 pre-Series 3 facelift models more saleable.

By the time the first S3 models, nowwith fuel injection and another revised grille, had landed in the UK, the previous (but now disgraced) Beta name had been dropped, with these revised models known simply as Lancia Coupes. In 1983 a spirited 135 bhp supercharged 2.0 VX Volumex derivative was added, with around 150 examples sold in Britain before Coupe production ceased in 1984 after a total of 111,000 units had been built since the model’s 1974 launch.

(GSA: 266 words)