“Lancia Beta Montecarlo
The first drawings date from the beginning of 1969 and the theme of this project was to produce a sports car, with economic engine and front wheel drive Fiat 128 derived platform (first drawing).
The first sketches a little ‘exasperated and whimsical show a research aimed at young people from which the name inside “Youth Sports” later became X 1/20 Fiat always.
During the execution of these studies there was suddenly the order to change the arrangement of the engine which became transverse rear.
Of course, given the overall dimensions of the car and went with it the passage contained two bucket seats.
In the drawings in color and scale model 1-10 is already glimpsed the character of Max, the car became more tense, the side fins were very highlighted and the set was not overdone as well as a sporty also conveyed a certain elegance.
The biggest surprise was a Monday morning when I found myself embedded in the nose of the model a Lancia grille deliberately deformed, asking for explanations in Martinengo told me that on Saturday before the staff Fiat and Pininfarina in a hasty meeting decided this change.
She was born the Lancia Beta Montecarlo fully designed and manufactured in series by Pininfarina Spa
After all, even in this way decisions can be proved as successful in the near future.”
– Paolo Martin, interview, 2013
Photos and drawing provided by Paolo Martin
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