The Lancia Montecarlo (Type 137) is a Pininfarina-designed mid-engined sports car which was produced by Lancia in Italy from 1975 to 1981.
Cars from the first series, which were produced from 1975 to 1978, were known as Lancia Beta Montecarlos and those from the second series, produced from 1980 to 1981, simply as Lancia Montecarlos. In both cases Montecarlo was spelled as one word, unlike Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco. Both series were offered in Coupé and Spider versions, the latter featuring a unique roll-back manually operated targa style convertible top. The Spider was sold in the United States as the Lancia Scorpion during 1976 and 1977.
Total production numbers come to 7,798 units, with production spanning from 1974 until 1982 with an interruption in 1979. 3,558 first series and 817 second series targas were built; 2,080 first series and 1,123 second series coupés. There were also 220 competition models built (Lancia 037).
Design
Fiat was seeking a replacement for its 124 Coupe so Pininfarina was commissioned to design and develop the replacement. However, Bertone came up with cheaper alternative, which became Fiat X1/9. Pininfarina continued with its project called Fiat X1/8 that called for a mid-engined sports car with 3-litre V6 motor. The X1/8 project was to be Pininfarina’s first ever car to be wholly developed and built in house rather than basing on existing production car. Initial design work was done by 1969, and a final design was completed in 1971 by Paolo Martin.
Due to the first oil crisis in the 1970s, the project was renamed as X1/20, and the motor was changed to 2-litre four-cylinder version. The first X1/20 prototype was Fiat Abarth SE 030 for racing in 1974. After the racing season of 1974, Fiat terminated its Abarth SE 030 programme. X1/20 project was given to Lancia who wanted a premium alternative to Fiat X1/9 and somewhat a halo car.
As to ensure the premium level of equipment, Lancia chose a two-litre twin-cam four-cylinder motor from Fiat 124 Sport Coupé, MacPherson suspension, five-speed gearbox, and disc brakes at both front and rear. Because Montecarlo shared very few components with other Beta cars, Pininfarina was chosen to build the car in its entirety.
Montecarlo were available as fixed head "Coupé" and as an open-roof "Spider" with a large folding canvas roof between solid A and B pillars.
Models First series
The Beta Montecarlo was finally unveiled at the 45th Geneva Salon International de l'Auto in March 1975. First Series cars (from 1975 to 1978) were badged as Lancia Beta Montecarlo. They were named "Montecarlo", written as one word, not Monte Carlo, one of Monaco's administrative areas. Power came from a twin cam, 1995 cc Lampredi inline four, developing 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 6000 rpm. Lancia claimed a top speed of over 190 km/h and a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 9.3 seconds.
Distinctions of the first series were the solid panels to the rear wings above the engine bay and 8,8Jx13" alloy wheels, unique to this model. The interior was upholstered in vinyl (TVE, Elasticized Vinylic Textile) as standard, in cloth as an option. The driver's side mirror (right one was optional) was a Vitaloni Californian. In 1978 the production of the Beta Montecarlo was halted.
Lancia Scorpion
The Beta Montecarlo was on sale in the United States for two years, 1976 and 1977. The federalized Montecarlo was re-christened Lancia Scorpion, because the name Monte Carlo was already used in America by Chevrolet. A total of 1,805 were manufactured in 1976 and sold as model year 1976 and 1977 (1396 and 405 respectively).
Because of the strict U.S. emission regulations a smaller 1,756 cc twin cam engine and smog equipment had to be fitted. Therefore, the Scorpion delivered just 81 hp (60 kW), down from the 120 of the Montecarlo. In order to meet federal crash test and lighting requirements, the Scorpion had bigger 5-mph bumpers and semi pop-up, sealed beam headlights. Two additional series of vents on the engine cover were required to cool the catalyst. All Scorpions featured the convertible top.
Second Series
After a two-year hiatus the revised second series was introduced in 1980. The Beta prefix was ditched, and the car was now simply badged as the Lancia Montecarlo.
On the exterior the most evident changes were the updated signature Lancia split grille first introduced with the 1979 Delta, the glazed rear buttresses (providing better visibility) and, in place of the model badging on the tail, a full width brushed aluminium strip. Larger eight-spoke 5,5Jx14" alloy wheels from the Beta were adopted to clear the upsized brake rotors and calipers, and the brake servo was removed to address the brake lockup issue. In the cabin there was a new three spoke Momo steering wheel in place of the old two spoke one, as well as revamped trim and fabrics. The engine was revised too: a higher compression ratio, Marelli electronic ignition and new carburettors made for torque gain.
Issues
The Montecarlo/Scorpion suffered from several issues. Between the taller springs used to meet the US height requirements, a lack of caster, and bump steer, handling of US market Scorpions did not meet the promises of the car’s design.
The engine noise in the interior of the car was sometimes criticized; Road & Track listing noise as one of their biggest complaints about the car, with "little joy listening to the wheeze of an emission equipment-stifled 4-banger", and Motor calling the engine noise a "raucous cacophony".
Harsh shifting is common and increases as the bushings wear (a common trait in mid-engined cars). The rear crossmember is a design flaw; the metal used was too thin and is susceptible to corrosion and eventual failure, although stronger replacement crossmembers are available from aftermarket companies.
The S1 Montecarlos and Scorpions suffered from overly boosted brakes, which caused the fronts to lock up easily in the wet. These were often criticised in reviews; for example Road & Track complained of "severe front locking and 37% fade" and Motor that they found "it disconcertingly easy to lock up the front wheels when approaching corners".
As a result, production was suspended in 1978 while the braking problems were resolved by some engineering changes, including removing the brake servo.
Rust is an issue for the Montecarlo and Scorpion. Unless kept in a dry environment active prevention is required to fend off rust. The firewall and wheel wells are common locations for rust. Rusted floor pans are a major cause of early Montecarlo/Scorpion demise.
In popular culture
A Lancia Scorpion appeared in Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977) as Herbie's girlfriend Giselle.
The car can be seen twice (red and grey model) in Dario Argento's Tenebre (1982).
Source: Wikipedia
Last edited by Man of Steel; 04-12-2020 at 10:18 AM.
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