There were two primary designers of the Beta Scorpiacarlo.
-Paolo Martin did the body designs and interior packaging. Pix with Paolo, Wife & MonteCarlo.
-Dr. Renato Sconfienza. The main engineer who did all the
layout/packaging/chassis/etc. work on the Monte/Scorp.
Another example of how the individual who creates the visual presentation and interior packaging that presents the
emotional effects of the design becomes memorialized as the designer with others involved often being forgotten.
-Re-post from the Lancia group... long ago...
"Scorpion/Montecarlo friends,
Great thread here. The main engineer who did all the
layout/packaging/chassis/etc. work on the Monte/Scorp was Dr. Renato
Sconfienza. He was chief engineer at Pininfarina from 1963 where his
first engineering project was the 330 GTE. He also did the
engineering on every Ferrari-Daytona/BB512/Testarossa/etc through to
the eighties (including the Cadillac Allante). His baby and one of
his favorite projects was the Montecarlo/Scorpion. I know this
because I had the pleasure of working with him at Ital Design
California (closed in 2002) where he was the Chief Operating Officer.
He always had great stories about the development of this Lancia (like
stopping production of the plastic parts the night before because he
found that the formulas he used were slightly wrong and needed
recalculation) as well as the Trevi, Beta, Gamma. He mentioned
Fioravanti's name when I asked him the same question.
When IDC closed in 2002 he went back to Italy to take a position back
at Ital Design. I don't know if he has retired or not. He is a very
warm-hearted and intelligent person who's hobby is physics and still
remembers fondly the days at Pininfarina.
I remember when he would get very excited when
I brought my 76 Scorpion to Ital Design Cal.when Isuzu and IDC built showcars together.
He said that seeing the car made him feel young again. He also said that Sergio Pininfarina
was so proud of that car that he wanted his name in script and the
badge located both of the sides of the car. I believe this was the
first Pininfarina design to do so. I had him sign the dash.
I thought I would share this story because of the thread and that so
many of you enjoy this car to this day. It's a design that still
endures after all these years. Also one that has over 20 patents on
it, including the bonded in windshield and roll back top and living
hinge top straps. I love these cars and feel very fortunate to have
met and worked with the man responsible.
~Bernice
Design excellence is often not recognized for their potential.