Lancia Beta Production Timeline

Nov 1972

Beta Berlina introduced with 1438, 1592 or Coupe announced, but launch held back due to oil crisis.

Jul 1973

RHD Berlina introduced in UK with same choice of engines.

Sep 1973

Beta Coupe introduced with more powerful versions of the 1592 cc (108 bhp vs 100 bhp) or 1756 cc (120 bhp vs 110 bhp) engines, and higher final drive ratio.

Mar 1974

Beta Spider introduced in Geneva, with choice of 1592 cc or 1756 cc engines as fitted to Coupe.

Sep 1974

RHD Coupe introduced in UK, only available with 1592 cc engine.

Nov 1974

1300 Berlina (1297 cc) introduced in Turin, along with a Berlina powered by liquid petroleum gas.

Mar 1975

HPE (High Performance Estate/Executive) stationwagon introduced in Geneva, with choice of 1592 or 1756 cc engines (identical power output to Berlina), Montecarlo introduced with 1995 cc engine.

May 1975

LHD(NA) Berlina and Coupe released in US with catalyst-equipped 1756 cc engine. Not sold in California.

Jul 1975

RHD 1600 Spider released in UK.

??? 1975

Second-series Berlinas, Coupes, Spiders, and HPEs released in Europe. All were now available with the 1995 cc engine, Coupe and Spider engines now identical in power output to Berlinas.

Nov 1975

RHD 1600 HPE released in UK.

Feb 1976

RHD Second series Spider, Coupe, Berlina and HPE released in UK.

??? 1976

LHD(NA) Betas accepted for sale in California, LHD(NA) HPE released with identical 1756 cc engine.

May 1976

1300 Coupe (1297 cc) introduced in Europe.

Jun 1976

LHD(NA) Scorpion released in US, based on Montecarlo with modified headlights and bumpers, and 1756 cc 81 bhp engine.

Mar 1977

RHD Montecarlo released in UK.

May 1977

RHD 1300 Coupe released in UK.

??? 1977

LHD(NA) Scorpion imports halted.

??? 1978

Automatic gearbox made available as option on Berlina 1600 and 2000. 1297 cc engine increased in capacity to 1301 cc.

??? 1978

LHD and RHD Face-lift (FL) Spider, Coupe and HPE released, with electronic ignition, power output of 1995 cc engine reduced to 115 bhp.

??? 1978

Second-series LHD(NA) cars released in US with 1995 cc engines, producing 87 bhp in catalyst-equipped form. LHD(NA) Spider released in US as Lancia Zagato.

??? 1978

RHD 1600 Spider imports to UK end.

??? 1978

Montecarlo production suspended.

Sep 1979

Third-series Berlina introduced at Frankfurt show, Berlina 1300 discontinued.

??? 1979

LHD(NA) HPE production ends.

??? 1980

RHD 1300 Coupe production ends.

Mar 1980

Montecarlo relaunched at Geneva show with minor changes.

??? 1980

Trevi introduced, with choice of 1585 cc, 1995 cc or 1995 cc fuel-injected engines (2000 IE).

Jan 1981

LHD(NA) models (including Zagato) now equipped with fuel-injected 1995 cc engines, giving 108 bhp.

May 1981

RHD Montecarlo relaunched in UK.

Jul 1981

RHD Trevi introduced in UK, with 1585 cc or 1995 cc carburettor engines. Berlina production ends.

Aug 1981

RHD 'Hi-Fi' Coupe released in UK, three hundred produced with Tickford body-kit.

??? 1981

Montecarlo production ends.

??? 1981

Second face-lift (FL2) Coupes released with optional fuel- injection on 1995 cc engine.

Jan 1982

LHD(NA) FL2 Zagato released in US.

Apr 1982

Trevi Volumex and road-going 037 announced at Turin show.

Jun 1982

RHD FL2 models released in UK.

Sep 1982

Trevi Volumex released in Italy with 1995 cc supercharged engine (never released in RHD form, but see Trevi section).

??? 1982

Spider/Zagato production ends.

Jun 1983

Volumex Coupe and HPE released with same 1995 cc supercharged engine as Trevi.

Oct 1983

RHD Volumex Coupe and HPE released in UK.

??? 1984

Beta production ends.

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