automotivebriefs
9:11in productionCh. 1 · The Designer’s Last Word/ 9:11 · ceiling 15 min
Sports cars

Lancia Montecarlo

Paolo Martin · 1975

A mid-engined Italian sports car that sacrificed comfort to chase rally glory — and succeeded.

The Lancia Montecarlo is a two-seater sports car manufactured and marketed by Lancia in Italy from 1975 to 1981. Designed by Paolo Martin at Pininfarina, it features a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and was developed from the Fiat X1/8 project. Both series were offered in Coupé and Spider bodystyles. Total production reached 7,798 units between 1974 and 1982, including 220 competition models (Lancia 037).

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Chapters & takeaways4
  1. 0:56
    The Designer’s Last Word

    Paolo Martin’s final 1971 design became Lancia’s first mid-engined road car.

  2. 2:40
    Engine Behind, Roof That Folds

    Mid-engine layout and targa top define both its agility and its compromises.

  3. 4:10
    Rare by Necessity

    Just 7,798 were built — including 220 competition models that evolved into the 037.

  4. 5:39
    From Showroom to Rally Stage

    It was a series-production car — but one that launched a rally legend.

Worth your time?

Yes. Drive the whole thing.

3.5/ 5
What works
  • proportions
  • throttle response
  • turn-in precision
  • targa functionality
What does not
  • comfort
  • visibility
  • structural rigidity
  • reliability
Drive it if
  • collectors
  • rally historians
  • Pininfarina enthusiasts
Skip it if
  • commuters
  • tall drivers
  • owners seeking parts support
The written brief1 min read

What the car is and where it came from

The Lancia Montecarlo is a two-seater sports car built in Italy from 1975 to 1981. Paolo Martin finalised its design in 1971 at Pininfarina. It uses a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and was developed from the Fiat X1/8 project.

How it works, in terms someone would actually use

The Montecarlo places the driver behind a small, upright wheel, with pedals offset for a mid-engine layout. The engine sits just ahead of the rear axle, feeding power to the rear wheels. Visibility is tight over the shoulders and through the narrow rear window. The Spider’s roof folds manually between fixed A- and B-pillars.

What it gets right

It gets the proportions right: compact, low-slung, taut. The glasshouse flows cleanly into the rear deck. The mid-engine layout delivers immediate throttle response and sharp turn-in. The targa top gives open-air driving without sacrificing roofline integrity.

What it does not

It does not offer modern visibility, cabin space or structural rigidity. It does not isolate the driver from heat, noise or mechanical intrusion. It does not simplify ownership.

What it changed

It proved Lancia could build a mid-engined road car from a Fiat platform, then pivot it into Group 4 rally machinery — directly enabling the 037’s creation.

Who it is for, and who it is not

It is for collectors who value Pininfarina’s 1970s minimalism and Lancia’s rally pedigree. It is not for commuters, tall drivers or anyone needing reliability, parts or service support.

Is it worth your time

Yes — if you want a rare, mid-engined Italian sports car that bridges road and rally development, and care more about lineage than daily usability.

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