The 1977 Lancia Beta 2000 Berlina represents an era when Italian manufacturers were renowned for producing cars that combined innovative engineering, distinctive styling and an engaging driving experience.

Introduced in 1972, the Beta was Lancia’s first entirely new model following the company’s acquisition by Fiat in 1969. Designed to compete in the increasingly sophisticated European family car market, the Beta offered a level of mechanical refinement and road-holding ability that distinguished it from many of its contemporaries. Its distinctive fastback-inspired saloon styling gave it a sporting character while retaining the practicality of a four-door family car.

Under the bonnet, the Beta 2000 featured a lively 1,995cc twin overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, derived from Fiat’s highly regarded twin-cam engine family and further developed for Lancia applications. Coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox and driving the front wheels, the Beta delivered responsive performance and excellent handling characteristics. Its sophisticated chassis incorporated fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, features that were particularly impressive in a mainstream saloon of the period. The combination of mechanical sophistication, balanced road manners and Italian engineering made the Beta an appealing alternative to more conventional British and European offerings.

Today, the Lancia Beta Berlina is an increasingly uncommon sight, particularly in New Zealand, where surviving examples are relatively scarce. While the sporting Coupé and HPE variants have traditionally attracted much of the attention, the four-door Berlina remains an important part of Lancia’s history and arguably one of the more distinctive European saloons of the 1970s. Its combination of Italian character, advanced engineering and unmistakable period styling makes it an interesting proposition for enthusiasts seeking something different from the more familiar classics of the era.

• This 1977 Lancia Beta 2000 offers a smooth 2.0L twin-cam engine, precise handling, and the refined character that made Lancia a standout of its era. With sharp Pininfarina-influenced lines and a driver-focused interior, this car offers sporty performance with everyday comfort.
• 5 Speed full synchro manual gearbox.
• Four wheel disk brakes.
• Independent suspension and coil springs front and rear, with anti roll bar front and rear.
• 14inch Dunlops.
• Front-wheel drive with balanced, confident handling
• Clean, classic Italian design.
• Very original condition – we reckon down to the paint.
• No rust detected but anyone interested is welcome to inspect before purchasing.
• Comfortable cabin with excellent visibility.
• Best described as stylish, slightly unpredictable, but impossible not to love. Under the bonnet, she offers a spirited 2.0L engine that sings like an operatic tenor, sometimes a bit dramatic, sometimes perfectly smooth, but always full of passion.
• Inside, it’s a delightful mix of retro charm and quirk. Cloth seats, simple gauges, and a feeling that this car has stories to tell.
• Driving this Beta 2000 is an experience – she handles corners with a flirtatious sway, rewarding those who respect her quirks. Some might call her temperamental, but we call it character.
• This car was sold new in Timaru on 20th September 1977 by Price Motors Timaru. Its had six actual owners since – three owners for 34 years between them.
• A rare and increasingly collectible Lancia model – a steal at this price.

Whether you’re seeking a classic 70’s touring car or a unique Italian classic for your collection, the Lancia Beta 2000 delivers charm, personality, and an engaging driving experience.

Today, the Beta 2000 has something of a “cult classic” status among enthusiasts.

We reckon its the styling. Classic Italian lines that make every passerby do a double-take. Squint your eyes just so, and you might imagine you’re cruising the Amalfi Coast with a Vespa gang behind you.

Perfect for collectors, enthusiasts, or anyone who wants a car with Italian style, drama, and a hint of cheekiness. She’s not just transportation; she’s a conversation starter, a daily smile, and maybe, just maybe, your new Italian fling on four wheels 🙂

The 1977 Lancia Beta 2000 Berlina occupies an interesting and increasingly distinctive position within the classic car market.

While Lancia’s sporting models have traditionally commanded much of the attention, the four-door Beta Berlina has quietly become a far less common sight, with relatively few surviving examples compared with its original production numbers. Rust, age and the economics of maintaining older European cars have all contributed to the model’s declining numbers, making well-preserved examples particularly interesting today.

In New Zealand, where these Italian saloons were never commonplace, their rarity adds another dimension to their appeal. For collectors who appreciate originality, engineering innovation and the character of European motoring in the 1970s, the Beta Berlina represents an increasingly difficult car to find, particularly in good, unmodified condition.

From a collectibility perspective, the Beta 2000 Berlina offers something rather different from the more predictable choices within the classic car market. It captures a period when Italian manufacturers were prepared to challenge convention, combining distinctive styling with sophisticated mechanical engineering and an unmistakable driving character. For those who remember these cars on New Zealand roads during the 1970s and 1980s, there is also a strong element of nostalgia, recalling an era when European cars offered individuality and character in abundance. Although values have generally remained more accessible than those of Lancia’s better-known sporting models, the Berlina’s growing scarcity and historical significance provide a compelling argument for its long-term preservation. It is perhaps best regarded as an emerging enthusiast collectible rather than a speculative investment, offering the satisfaction of owning a genuinely uncommon piece of Italian motoring history whose appeal extends well beyond its monetary value.

New Zealand Sales
Unless otherwise stated, vehicles sold for use in New Zealand will be supplied with a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and 12 months New Zealand registration at the time of sale.

Transport & Shipping
New Zealand transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged on the Buyer’s behalf and at the Buyer’s cost and risk. Any freight, shipping, insurance, customs charges, duties, taxes, import costs, certification or compliance costs are the responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Export Sales
For vehicles purchased for export, the Buyer is responsible for determining and satisfying all import, registration, certification, compliance, tax and regulatory requirements applicable in the destination country.

Viewing
All vehicle inspections and viewings are strictly by appointment only.

Applicable Law
All sales are subject to applicable New Zealand law. Nothing in these Conditions of Sale excludes or limits any statutory rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime, or contact us through the form below.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak.

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Group Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”. Waimak Group Ltd is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Group Ltd does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Group Ltd.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.