Lancia Beta

The Lancia Beta was an entry-level luxury car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Lancia from 1972 to 1984, and the first new model introduced after Fiat took Lancia over in 1969. It was made as a four-door fastback saloon, the Trevi notchback saloon, a two-door coupe, a two-door targa spider and the three-door HPE estate, and a mid-engined sports car was sold under the Beta name as the Montecarlo. The name, meaning a new beginning, recalled founder Vincenzo Lancia using Greek letters for his early vehicles. Engineers led by Sergio Camuffo, under tight time and money limits, used the Fiat twin overhead cam four-cylinder engine mounted transversely and driving the front wheels, with MacPherson struts at all four corners.