1979 Lancia Beta Monte Carlo Turbo

OVERVIEW

Click here to view high resolution photos

1003 is the third of eleven chassis constructed by Lancia Corse between 1979 and 1981 for use in the FIA World Championship of Makes.

Chassis 1003 was first pressed into service in the fall of 1979 for the Giro d'Italia, where it was driven by Riccardo Patrese and Markku Alen. They finished second behind the sister car of Gilles Villeneuve and Walter Röhrl, but both Lancias were disqualified for using the Autostrada.

The Beta Montecarlo Turbo was second again behind its sister car at Brands Hatch in 1980 and this time the result stood. Chassis 1003 was retired from active duty hereafter in favor of the new-for-1980 cars. 1003 would continue to be campaigned as a privateer racecar in 1981-82

Lancia won the World Championship in 1979 in the under 2.0 category and won the World Championship overall in 1980 and 1981 beating Porsche. 1003 contributed points to the championships in all three seasons.


Original specifications from 1979:

1.4-liter four cylinder with single turbo – 370 hp @ 1.2 bar, 420 hp @ 1.6 bar
Weight: 1665 lbs. (dry)
Wheels/Tires: Front 15” x 10” Pirelli Rear 19” x 13.5” Pirelli


World Championship race history:

1979:
Giro’d Italia - 2nd overall (later DQ) - driven by Ricardo Patrese, Markku Alen, Illkka Kivimaki, flat black with red (Pininfarina) – short tail bodywork, poster issued by Lanica of 1003 from that race. (October 1979)

1980:
Brands Hatch 6 Hours – 2nd overall – driven by Michele Alboreto, Eddie Cheever, blue with white (Pininfarina) (March 1980)

1981:
Monza 1000KM – 1st in class – private entry - driven by Germano Nataloni
and Gianfranco Ricci (April 1981)

Vallelunga (national race) 4th overall – Nataloni (May 1981)

Magione (national race) 2nd overall – Nataloni (June 1981)

1982:
Monza 1000KM FIA round of the championship - DNS – Nataloni (April 1982)


Additional World Championship race history:

Taken from conversations, research of photos and dates of events. Sources include Arnoud Coenen of the Lancia Registry, Lancia historian and author Nigel Strow, members of the Lancia race team, Pirelli archives and printed race reports.

1979:
Brands Hatch 6 Hours: (August 1979)
1001 and 1002 are listed as entrants, however many have said 1002 was a new car, and the second car was actually 1003. To add to the confusion both entrants were painted identically, and one chassis used parts from the other for the race. 1001 is shown winning the class. The second car, whether 1002 or 1003, was used as a T-car.

Vallelunga 6 Hours: (September 1979)
1001 and 1002 are listed as entrants, but according to Lancia historian and author Nigel Strow, a new short tail version was entered prior to the upcoming Giro’d Italia in October, and was driven by Markku Alen and Giorgio Pianta. This could have only been 1003 under the circumstances. Color was flat black with red. DNF with gearbox failure.

1980:
Mugello 6 Hours: (April 1980)
Car in same livery as 1003 was at Brands Hatch, with the Mugello race being less than a month later. Listed as 1004. However, 1004 was supposed to be ready for Le Mans in June. 1st in class with Patrese and Cheever

1981:
24 Hours of Daytona
Prepared, not used. Martini colors.

Used for testing with Pirelli. Apparently was also made available as a back up for the private Jolly Club team. Unconfirmed if used.

Ownership history:

Sold by Lancia to Germano Nataloni in March of 1981 and campaigned mostly in national events in Italy, too numerous to list.

Offered for sale in Autosport (issue dated October 27, 1983.) Also advertised in Road & Track

Offered to Kerry Morse in late 1988 through a contact at Lancia after Morse had purchased Lancia LC2 chassis 002 directly from the racing department that 1003 was available from Nataloni. A representative for Morse was sent to inspect 1003 and a test was held at Vallelunga. The car was then shipped by airfreight to Los Angeles.

1003 was entered at the 1989 Monterey Historics, where it was also shown in the paddock with LC2 002. Pirelli borrowed 1003 for display and provided one set of new tires. 1003 was again entered at the Monterey Historics in 1993 and has since been in storage.

1003 remained in the ownership of Kerry Morse until August 2016, having been in hands for 28 years.