The Lancia Beta series of cars was the first new Lancia design after the company was taken over by Fiat in 1969. Although the bulk of the Beta models were front engined, with front wheel drive, the Montecarlo was a sports car variant fitted with a fabric roof and a mid-engine configuration, first released in 1975. The car was sold as a Scorpion in the United States due to Chevrolet already making a car called the Monte Carlo. The US version had semi-pop-up sealed beam round headlights and US spec rubber bumpers, as well as a significantly detuned 1.8 liter engine that put out only 81 BHP, but was already federalized in the Fiat 124, rather than the 120 BHP European market fitted with a 2 liter. Production of the Montecarlo went on hiatus for two years from 1978 to 1980, at which point it returned with some design changes, the most obvious being that the rear buttresses were fitted with glass panels to increase visibility. This example was originally sold as a US market Scorpion and was restored and significantly upgraded by the previous owner, who also converted the car’s exterior appearance to the Montecarlo spec, fitting the European bumpers, headlights, etc. The engine, although still 1.8 liters, was rebuilt bringing up compression and fitted with twin weber downdraft carburettors, as well as a cam upgrade, and now has been dynoed at 140 horsepower and 140 ft-lb of torque, exceeding even the spec of the stock European Montecarlo. The interior was also retrimmed and the car was lowered with stiffer suspension. In addition, an upgraded rear crossmember was fitted to address a known weakness of these cars. The car runs and drives like a sports car should, with great acceleration and a raucous exhaust note. Handling is good and the car is reasonably well balanced for a mid-engined, rear wheel drive car. The original brake setup featured a booster which applied only to the front brakes, and made it too easy to lock the front brakes, but the booster has been removed from this car, as was done by the factory on the second series of cars. This has left the brake pedal with a bit more travel than would be ideal, but the brakes still respond well and the car stops adequately. Being mid-engined, the front-mounted trunk is very large and the fabric top seals well but can easily be rolled up and tucked away in its compartment, leaving the car as a great all season option.