Following its debut at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show[2] as Lancia's new flagship, the Gamma was marketed as a 4-door fastback saloon known as the Berlina (1976–1984) and as a 2-door coupé (1977–1984), both designed by Pininfarina – with 15,272 and 6,790 manufactured, respectively.

[1] The fastback style of the Berlina featured a conventional boot at the rear, rather than a hatchback.

At the car's press launch Pininfarina said a hatchback was avoided to save the inconvenience to back seat passengers, when luggage is loaded, from ostensible drafts.

[2] The Gamma received a mid cycle face-lift, receiving Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection as well as a new corporate grille, 15-inch "sunburst" alloy wheels, and a revised interior with new instrumentation, interior lighting, badging, handbrake and gear lever gaiter.

Pressure cast in alloy with wet cylinder liners, the engine was light and though it only produced 140 PS (103 kW), 120 PS (88 kW) in 2.0-litre form, its maximum torque was available at just 2,000 rpm.