Lancia Beta Fissore Coupé

The Lancia Beta Fissore Coupé is a rare, limited-production version of the standard Lancia Beta Coupé, modified by the Italian coachbuilder Rayton Fissore in the early 1980s. Developed primarily for the Swiss market, the Fissore Coupé was intended to revitalize interest in the Beta model during its final years of production by offering a more aggressive and contemporary exterior design without changing the car’s underlying mechanical components. Unveiled in 1982, the Fissore Coupé featured extensive visual modifications that set it apart from the standard Beta Coupé. These included redesigned front and rear bumpers with integrated spoilers, pronounced composite wheel arch extensions, and sculpted side skirts. The alterations gave the car a wider, more athletic stance. The front metal bumper was replaced by a molded unit integrated into the lower valence, enhancing the vehicle’s aerodynamic profile. The rear received similar treatment, while a large, polished exhaust tip and exclusive alloy wheels further distinguished the Fissore variant. Mechanically, the Beta Fissore Coupé retained the standard 2.0-liter inline-four engine with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, producing approximately 122 horsepower. The transmission and suspension components remained unchanged, preserving the responsive handling characteristics for which the Beta Coupé was known. The drivetrain featured front-wheel drive with a five-speed manual gearbox. The interior modifications were more restrained. Updates included revised seat upholstery, new trim materials, and subtle detailing intended to complement the more aggressive exterior styling. The layout and instrumentation mirrored that of the standard model, maintaining a driver-oriented cabin with an emphasis on comfort and functionality. Only around 200 examples of the Lancia Beta Fissore Coupé were produced, all of which were distributed through Lancia dealerships in Switzerland. This limited run has contributed to the model’s status as a collector’s item. The Fissore Coupé is notable not only for its rarity but also for its role in showcasing the adaptability of the Beta platform and the contribution of independent coachbuilders in creating market-specific variants of mainstream vehicles during the 1980s.