Known as the Scorpion in the USA, the Montecarlo debuted in 1975. Originally to be a bigger brother to the Fiat X1/9, as evidenced by the prototype code of X1/20, it was eventually released as a Lancia.

After three years, it was withdrawn from production, to fix problems with front wheels, which were locking up too easily under braking. It reappeared in 1981 and was deleted in 1984.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Lancia/03110731.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Lancia/03110732.jpg

With its closest competitor in the early '80s, the Talbot-Matra Murena.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Lancia/03110736.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Lancia/03110737.jpg

:wave:

Steve

Nice model.
I allways thought Scorpions were cool looking. They look neat in person.(1/1)
And yeah, the Beta over here is only known as a rather homely looking coupe-thing.

The Montecarlos that raced in the FIA World Championship for Makes in the early '80's were really neat looking ,and rather successful. I saw Riccardo Patrese win in one at Watkins Glen in 1980. It rained ,as usual.

Great looking models, thanks for posting them. That Lancia was always one of my favorites, but in 1980 my neighbor had one for awhile that was finished in a most unbecoming pale baby blue. To me that color was not appropriate for the bodystyle, but it was apparently factory stock.

To get an idea of the difference in European & American approaches to auto travel in the mid-1970s, I've alway wanted to see a '75 Lancia Beta Montecarlo parked next to a 1975 Chevy Monte Carlo. I love 'em both, but the Chevy would look pretty silly in that comparison!

The mid-70s were exciting in the US because we got some new Alfa Romeos plus the new Lancia Betas (unlike Lummox, I was a big fan of the Coupe, but I agree that the Sedan was very dull in appearance. It looks like a great driver, though.) I couldn't wait for the Gamma Coupe to show up, but alas, it was not to be.

By the way, who makes these Montecarlo & Murena models?

Thanks all.

The racing Montecarlos were, of course, very different - in reality, they were silhouette racers using a 1.4 litre turbo.

As for the models, sorry I should have mentioned who makes them - both cars come from magazine partworks. The Matra from a french series of Simca cars by Altaya, although the model is actually made by Ixo. The Lancia is from a series sold in Italy - The Lancia Collection. I'm not sure which model manufacturer made the car, although Starline or Norev would be likely suspects, as both have contributed to similar collections in Italy.

Cool!