In the summer of 1979, the FIA announced their Group B rallying regulations, a radical change in the racing-car classification system scheduled to begin competition in 1982.

With very little time to at hand for the project, Lancia quickly determined their Group B creation would require extensive development from a preexisting chassis and powertrain.

Consequently, Abarth and Pininfarina were immediately tabbed to design, engineer, and homologate the resulting Lancia vehicle using the triumvirate’s most recent joint project as a basis.

Fortunately, that “most recent joint project” was the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Gr.5—which was already well on its way to delivering Lancia the 1980 and 1981 World Sportscar Championships.

Like the Beta Montecarlo Turbo Gr.5, Lancia’s new rally car was to utilize the central monocoque of the production Montecarlo road car with the engine and suspension carried on tubular subframes front and rear.

Abarth’s lead racing engineer and “SE 037” project m...