1976 Lancia

EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE

History of the Lancia Stratos

The Lancia Stratos HF was purposely built for competition in the World Rally Championship and its radical design looked like nothing else on the road. It stood just under three and a half feet tall and was one of the only Ferrari-powered cars regularly seen covered in mud.

The Stratos name was introduced to the public in 1970 at the Turin Motor Show as a concept car named the Lancia Stratos Zero displayed on Bertone’s stand. It captured the heart of Cesare Fiorio, manager of Lancia’s World rally Championship team. A year later, when Lancia introduced a prototype designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone, called the Stratos HF, Fiorio persuaded Lancia to take the Stratos rally racing.

The early Lancia prototypes were powered by engines from both the Lancia Fulvia and Berta road cars. In the end, the company decided to use Ferrari’s mid-mounted V-6 first seen in the Dino 246. The cars were manufactured by Bertone in Turin and then sent to Lancia’s nearby Chivasso factory for final assembly.

The Stratos was small, short, and weighed just under 2,200 pounds. Zero-to-sixty took less than five seconds and they were very easy to maneuver. They had excellent front visibility thanks to the wraparound windshield.

The Stratos began its racing career in 1972 as a prototype by the Lancia team. Their first win would come a year later and by 1974, the car and team were on their way to supremacy in Group 4 rallying.

Rules changed for the World Rally Championship and required the production of 500 road-legal units. Lancia began work on comply with the rule in 1973 and by 1975, however, only 492 examples were completed. By that point, the homologation requirement had been dropped to just 400 units.

The Stratos would claim three World Rally Championship titles for Lanica in a row (1974 through 1976). With this success, Lancia had no difficulties selling their 492 examples to eager customers. Internal squabbling, however, had divided the Fiat group and its racing enterprises. As a result, Fiat removed the Stratos from formal factory-backed competition and replaced it with the Fiat 131 Abarth. The other competitors in Group 4 competition surly must have been delighted by this, as the Stratos would probably have continued its dominant performance as it was more advanced than the contemporary competitors.

Privateers continued to race the Stratos, earning impressive victories along the way. One example won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1979. Several Stratoses were even able to outpace new cars campaigned by Fiat and Lancia. Lancia built a pair of turbocharged Stratos for rally use as well, though they were not nearly as successful as the Fiat 131, or their naturally aspirated predecessors.

About this specific example

This specific Lancia Stratos is newly delivered in Turin, Italy.

It went to London fairly soon after it’s delivery.

It is believed that this Stratos has driven only 54.800 kilometers since new. The condition of the car is therefore impressive. The car is fairly original with it’s mouse hair carpets and headlining.

The mechanics have been well maintained and remain original Stratos parts.

Condition Exterior

The exterior condition of the Lancia is unique. The car is fairly original which is amazing. Most of these cars have been used for rallies and have therefore had different crashes. It seems that this specific car has never been involved in a crash and therefore the body of this Lancia is looking very original and beautiful with some small parts which have been resprayed.

The Orange color on the Stratos is very rare but it looks amazing in this color

Condition interior

Also the interior of this Lancia has a fantastic patina. It is almost impossible to find a car from the 70ties which still has it’s original interior but this Lancia has it.

The mouse hair carpets as well as headlining are still in the car. The seats are still original and finished in alcantara.

Driving experience

We have driven quite a lot of (sports) cars but this car is really one of a kind.

The handling of the Stratos is so extremely well and off-course the power of the car is amazing.

It is almost possible to feel every stone on the road but this makes it such an impressive feeling to drive this race machine.