In the 1970s, the Fiat Group began designing a mid-engined sports car and entrusted the task to Pininfarina. The car was intended to be more powerful and more spacious than the Bertone-designed, lower-priced Fiat X1/9.

Pininfarina’s initial design concept for the car was completed as early as 1970. The project was handed over to Abarth, and their first prototype, the X1/20 by Abarth, was completed in 1972. The prototype was developed further again and powered by the Fiat 130’s V6 engine, the Abarth SE030 competed in the 1974 Giro d’Italia, finishing second.

However, the oil crisis of the 1970s prompted the use of the proven four-cylinder Lampredi engine, which found its place from middle of the car. The car was produced under the Lancia brand, the Fiat Group’s premium marque. This lightweight, mid-engined sports car was introduced to the European market in Geneva in 1975. It was named the Montecarlo in honor of the victories achieved by the Lancia Stratos at the Monte Carlo Rally. For the US market, the car was named the Scorpion—referencing its Abarth heritage—because the "Montecarlo" name was already in use by Chevrolet. All Scorpions were equipped with open top called Spider, and only 1,801 units were produced for the US market during 1976 and 1977.

Later, the Lancia Beta Montecarlo chassis served as the basis for a FIA Group 5 race car and the design of the 037 rally car. The race car won the Group 5 World Championship in 1980 and 1981, while the 037 secured the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 1983.

This 1976 Lancia Scorpion was imported from the United States to Finland around the turn of the millennium by Finnish Y. Bremer’s Old Cars World. The car was registered in Finland in 2003, and the current owner, E. Kiiskinen, purchased it in 2008. At that time, the car had covered only 48,000 miles.

The car was dismantled; the body—which had remained in extremely good original condition—was stripped to bare metal and restored. The engine underwent a thorough overhaul, including the installation of new pistons and bearings. It features a 10.7:1 compression ratio and is free of emissions control equipment and catalytic converters. After its initial restoration, the car sat in a garage for years until the owner decided to prepare it for active use in 2026. The car was once again disassembled.

In the summer of 2026, the bodywork was stripped to bare metal and painted in the original Verde Metallizzato (metallic green) shade. The carburetors and fuel lines were refurbished, and the engine timing belts were replaced. The fabric for the removable roof panel was renewed. Engine and transmission oils, as well as coolant and brake fluid, were changed. The odometer was replaced during the restoration, and the car has been driven less than a thousand kilometers since then; the original instrument cluster has been retained.

The engine and drivetrain perform beautifully, and the high-revving Lampredi engine produces a magnificent sound. This small, lightweight mid-engined car is fun and precise to drive.

The car is registered as a historic vehicle and Mot/Tüv inspected in July 2026; the inspection is valid until July 2030.

The Lancia is located in Vantaa – 25 minutes from Helsinki–Vantaa Airport. Views by appointment.

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