Lancia’s renewed effort in the US market with its new Fiat-based cars was a mixed blessing. They were stylish, and had lovely interiors. And they had some very good dynamics, but their performance was pretty significantly blunted to meet US emission regulations. The HPE shooting brake’s output went from 120hp in European trim to 86hp. But it still delivered some satisfying driving qualities.
The Scorpion’s (Monte Carlo) went from 115hp to 81hp. But it too was judged to still be able to deliver the goods, at least in relative terms. And the Scorpion’s looks were of course blunted too by the 5 mile bumpers, but it was a highly distinctive car on US streets.
I’ve long thought the HPE to be one of the best looking cars of the 70s and 80s. To my eyes, it still looks good even today.
+1.
Though, it must be said, minus the rather gobsmacking 13 INCHES the US bumpers added.
I almost bought a Lancia Beta coupe around 1975. Judging by the downgraded performance due to U.S. emissions regulations, and the marque’s ultimate orphan status in America, I’m glad that I passed. The Scorpion (Monte Carlo in Europe) always reminded me of a bargain-basement Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer, and I still have a 1/24-scale model of one on display in my family room.
These Lancias were lovely cars – just don’t mention the rust…..
Oh, the rust! I worked at a Fiat-Lancia-Volvo dealership in the Seventies, and these really did rust on the showroom floor.
Love the Beta family; Spyder was always my favourite.
I might be in the minority but I really liked the Scorpion looks impact bumpers and all. I cannot recall the last time I saw one though – it could be one of the Herbie movies!
I’ve seen one at Cars and Coffee OC in the last couple of years. Surprised to see any of these still running given their reputation. I always liked the look of them, a poor man’s Ferrari or a non-midget’s X1/9.
Meh … compared to their predecessors in the ’50’s and ’60’s, I thought these cars were ugly then and time hasn’t been favorable. Still, it would be quite a sight to see one on the road today. Personally, I didn’t think that the Stratos was a beauty either, but at least it was fast. Now this new car is a different story. a few detail updates and it looks much better than the original to me. http://www.new-stratos.com/en/#
Both are gorgeous looking cars and I would not refuse one if given to me.
BTW, is there a page missing? There is a 50 and 52, no 51?
Looks like it. Sorry…
Probably a full-page ad.
Actually, there isn’t. Page 51 was an ad.
OK, that makes sense. Thanks for looking into it though.
I remember when these Lancia’s started showing up at Fiat dealerships in SoCal back in the day. You couldn’t test drive the first wave, they had to fix something in the transmission that was making it extremely difficult to shift gears. I forget the specifics.
The Beta coupe and HPE went through at least 3 dashboard designs of my memory is correct abs all but one were ghastly and the other was just tolerable.
Some say the Betas were originally intended as replacements for the 124 Sport Coupe.
I have always loved the Betas, though the early ones rusted horridly even in salt-free Australia.
I vividly recall looking at a green ’75 sedan in ’86, when I was for some reason idling time in a local shitter yard, and being quietly amazed that an 11 y.o. expensive Euro car was as pimply as teenage me. The dealer insisted I drove this collection of resprayed rusticles, which carnut me was more than happy to do, but which turned out a wrong move for him (and Lancias and me). The result was that a car that I wasn’t in any position to buy at that time was thereafter always off any list, as it had a $2 dashboard, awfully heavy steering, an unpleasant gearchange, and flat-spotty (if plentiful) performance.
I still lust after a later HPE, though, with a semi-decent dash, injection and power-steering. Motoring the elegant way.
As for the Scorpion, sheesh, looks like something way worse than a frog stung it right back! Not the house of P’s finest effort, it.
“Enough power to scare the unwary”
Comedy gold!