This 1976 Lancia Scorpion is a project-grade specimen that is for sale due to a loss of storage. The seller lists a variety of improvements made that should help the next owner complete the project, including numerous engine upgrades. The car needs a windshield but the seller claims all other parts needed for finishing are included. Thanks to Barn Finds reader AMXBrian for the find, and check out the Lancia here on craigslist for $2,000 in Worcester, Mass.
The Scorpion is a rarity to see these days, despite being sold stateside for a few years. It’s too bad, since it’s still a looker and likely provides a classic Italian driving experience, especially with the engine behind your head. The interior is being used for parts storage, but still looks relatively complete underneath. Red leather in an Italian sports car is a must-have combination.
One of the more famous Scorpions is the one that had screen time in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo as the love interest of the movie star Beetle. This Scorpion in Worcester may be set up for some competitive use, given its numerous engine upgrades, which includes the two-liter Zagato engine, with high-compression pistons and head, along with high-rev valve springs and an Ansa exhaust.
The European market Scorpion was called the Monte Carlo, which maybe played a role in the Scorpion starring alongside Herbie. This project Lancia looks tempting with some of the heavy mechanical lifting already done, but the rust showing on its hindquarters is worrisome. Still, one would assume the engine work completed would only be applied to a car with good bones.
Most of my specimen is project grade.
Hmm, what about the red one in front?
Wow, for the first time in history, I know this car!
The owner, or his relative, owns a used car dealership on Route 20 in Worcester near the Pub 99. The shop is on the westbound side of the road. I don’t live there anymore so I’m not entirely sure what the place was called. A quick search online reveals it’s now known as Metro West Auto Sales, but that doesn’t sound right to me. He’s had a bunch of these over the years. This one ran and drove and I believe was cannibalized for parts— either that or he’s had more than one silver one in imperfect condition.
If you look closely at the euro version in the brochure, you can see where Honda got the roofline for the first-generation CRX.
Had Lancia in ’70s, 80s, liked em…
https://www.ebay.com/i/254345080470?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=254345080470&targetid=596465814468&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9001635&poi=&campaignid=6470719340&mkgroupid=77931583832&rlsatarget=pla-596465814468&abcId=1140476&merchantid=6296724&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlZ35mbXj5AIVlJOzCh3RPQPGEAYYASABEgKn9_D_BwE
https://www.google.com/search?rls=en&q=1976+Lancia+Scorpion&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=safari&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIq_KZtePkAhXrQ98KHdIADtAQsAR6BAgGEAE&biw=1098&bih=684
there’s 2 my browser wont let me go to uTube right now…
these got it all over the X1 / 9 my neighbor races SCCAA (wrong letters – sports car club).
I like Lancia’s but this is a 500 dollar project car that needs a lot of work. Oh they are called Monte Carlo’s because Lancia had a good bit of success on the Monte Carlo Rally circuit.
Chevy owned the name Monte Carlo in the states hence they were called Scorpions here. I don’t think a Chevy Monte Carlo was ever actually seen in Monte Carlo, and if it had it was most likely being used as a boat anchor as it would have really sucked to drive it there.
There is no such thing as a Zagato engine. These and all Lancia Betas used the venerable twin-cam designed by Aurelia Lampredi similar to that used in the Fiat 124 Spider and coupe
What the seller means and is understood by many is that the engine is a 2-liter removed from a Beta Zagato. Some people (myself included) would prefer that an upgrade to a 2-liter come from a Lancia as opposed to a FIAT, if nothing else than for the fact that the block has the name Lancia cast on it.
Besides, the Scorpion and Montecarlo (how it was spelled outside the US market) was designed by Pininfarina.