Le retour de la silhouette : le trio Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo de MCG

The Group 5 era of motorsport remains one of the most visually spectacular chapters in racing history. It was the age of the "Silhouette" racer—cars that bore a passing resemblance to their road-going counterparts but concealed purebred racing technology beneath aggressively widened bodywork. While the Porsche 935 often steals the spotlight, the Italian answer was equally ferocious and arguably more efficient: the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo.

For the collector who appreciates the David-vs-Goliath battles of the World Sportscar Championship, MCG Lancia models have delivered a masterstroke. Model Car Group (MCG) has released three precision-engineered 1:18 scale replicas of this Turin-born legend. These Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo diecast cars capture the essence of a machine that punched well above its weight, defeating larger engines through agility and advanced turbocharging.

At Vroomi, we have secured the specific liveries that defined the car's most successful campaigns. Let’s inspect the grid.

The Silverstone 1980 Dominators

In 1980, Lancia launched a full assault on the World Championship for Makes. The 6 Hours of Silverstone was a pivotal battleground. The factory team, Lancia Corse, arrived with a car that utilized a diminutive 1.4-liter turbocharged engine to exploit the "under 2-liter" division rules, allowing them to score championship points while avoiding the heavy fuel consumption penalties of the bigger classes.

1. The Victor: Team Lancia Corse N 54

The star of the collection is undoubtedly the race winner. The Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo N 54 represents the chassis driven to victory at the 1980 Silverstone 6 Hours by two absolute titans of the sport: Walter Röhrl and Michele Alboreto.

MCG has replicated the iconic Martini-striped livery over the white and blue base with exacting fidelity. In 1:18 scale, the distinctive "long-tail" aerodynamics required for the high-speed British circuit are immediately apparent. The model features the correct BBS racing wheels with turbofan covers on the front—a crucial detail for brake cooling during endurance stints. For collectors of championship-winning chassis, this is an essential piece of history.

2. The Challenger: Team Lancia Corse N 53

Racing alongside the winner was the sister car, the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo N 53. Piloted by Riccardo Patrese and Eddie Cheever, this machine played a vital role in Lancia's strategy.

While it shares the same aggressive Group 5 silhouette—huge box flares, massive rear wing, and low front splitter—collectors will appreciate the subtle differences in the livery application meant to distinguish it from the N 54 car in the pits. MCG ensures that the driver names on the roof and door numbering are period-correct. Displaying these two collectible Lancia scale models side-by-side recreates the Lancia pit lane of 1980, showcasing the unified front the Italians presented against the German dominance.

The DRM Warrior: Team GS Sport

The Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo didn't just race in the World Championship; it was also a weapon in the fiercely competitive Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft (DRM).

3. The Fruit of the Loom N 1

Moving away from the factory colors, MCG brings us the striking Team GS Sport N 1. This model depicts the car driven by Hans Heyer at the ADAC Supersprint Nürburgring in 1981.

Visually, this model stands apart with its bold "Fruit of the Loom" sponsorship. The white base with blue and red accents offers a vivid contrast to the factory cars. Hans Heyer was a specialist in these cars, winning the DRM title in 1980 with the Beta Montecarlo. This 1981 version captures the evolution of the car as it fought to defend its crown. The 1:18 scale allows you to admire the intricate decal work and the specific aerodynamic setup used for the twists of the Nürburgring, which differed from the high-speed Silverstone configuration.

Precision in Every Millimeter

Why add these MCG Lancia models to your grid? Model Car Group balances accessibility with enthusiast-grade detail. These diecast models feature:

• Accurate Stance: The ride height sits low, burying the wide slick tires deep into the flared arches, exactly how a Group 5 car should look.
• Livery Precision: The tampo printing is sharp, capturing the complex sponsorship logos and striping without bleeding or misalignment.
• Interior Detail: Peering through the windows reveals a spartan racing cockpit, complete with the roll cage and period-correct instrumentation.

The Group 5 era was defined by excess—wider hips, bigger wings, and massive turbo lag. These Lancia models capture that drama perfectly. They are not just toys; they are historical documents of a time when Lancia ruled the under-2-liter world.

Secure your piece of Italian motorsport history today and complete your Group 5 grid at Vroomi.