Lancia Beta (van)

The Lancia Beta Autocarro was a small commercial vehicle built by Lancia between 1950 and 1961, sold as the Z10 on a short wheelbase, the Z11 on a long wheelbase and, more rarely, the three-axle Z12. The forward-control Beta came as a pickup, van, minibus and ambulance, and 6,700 units were built in total. It was launched with an innovative U-shaped four-cylinder engine of 1.9 litres (1,908 cc) giving 48 bhp (36 kW); from 1953 a 2.0 litre (1,963 cc) two-cylinder two-stroke engine built under licence from Detroit Diesel was also offered. The related Beta 190 was a two-seat light goods vehicle with a Viberti body and a 35 hp engine, used to carry milk in northern Italy, and it was discontinued in 1961 because it was so different mechanically from other Lancia models.