Wednesday 16th February 2011

New Stratos Could Be Heading For Production

Keen interest in reborn icon prompts builders to turn one-off Stratos into a small series

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The rather magnificent 'New Stratos' - the recent re-imagination of the iconic Lancia rally car - could well be on course for a 'limited run' of cars.

Originally, the project was a one-off for German businessman and car nut Michael Stoschek, but such has been the excitement surrounding the car that the creators want to make (and sell, naturally) a few more.

So far, around 40 individuals seem keen on getting their hands on one, and we've been told that 'several other companies in addition to Pininfarina have offered to manufacture the limited run'.

All of which means that the seven-figure sum it reportedly took to get the first New Stratos built could be considerably reduced for future cars.

But by just how much? Well, the folks behind new Stratos reckon on around 400,000 euros (£335k), with a pristine donor F430 (from whence the New Stratos's engine and drivetrain originate) costing around 100k euros and an anticipated conversion cost of around 300,000 euros.

[James Dean]

So much want! Great shot with the 'old' Stratos and new one.

[Luca Brasi]

Quite a price tag

[Deluded]

Shame they wont base one on an MR2 for us peasants...

[Baryonyx]

Lancia need to come back in a true sense and start making their excellent cars again.

[kambites]

Nice enough car, but that price will limit it to seriously rich obsessives.

[ellisd82]

With the price tag, may as well keep it a one-off.

[DrTre]

Deluded said:

Shame they wont base one on an MR2 for us peasants...

Take along an MR2 F430 copy and see what they say?

[Pixel Pusher]

"But by just how much? Well, the folks behind new Stratos reckon on around 400,000 euros (£335k), with a pristine donor F430 (from whence the New Stratos's engine and drivetrain originate) costing around 100k euros and an anticipated conversion cost of around 300,000 euros."

I know I'm leaving myself wide open here, but...

Are you expected to turn up with a 430 and they convert it or do they build a brand new car using your supplied engine and drivetrain and chuck the rest in the skip?

Sorry, haven't read any previous threads on this.

[Goodfella 555]

Recession? What recession? When i see the price my eyes get confused, i'm sure i'm not reading it right.

[urquattro]

I am sure the original was a bit of an issue to drive and maintain, however at that price I would prefer the original in my fantasy garage and few bob spare to look after it properly - also a bit of beer money left over as well.

[soad]

A bargain...i'll take two!

Well, i'm sure they'd sell quite a few

[jack01825]

So im assuming only 40 will be made.

Am i right?

[vintageracer01]

[British Beef]

Where are all these crazy rich car nutters that can afford £300k on top of a 430 to get it re-bodied?

As said, the recession certainly seems to be biting some!!!!

[bobberz]

British Beef said:

Where are all these crazy rich car nutters that can afford £300k on top of a 430 to get it re-bodied?

As said, the recession certainly seems to be biting some!!!!

Oh, they're out there! I'm sure Jay Leno would get one, plus maybe Clarkson? The DuPont family are car crazy as well (their restoration shop is close to my house), and they certainly have enough money to buy a few.

I'm just glad that some can afford to fund projects like this; makes the world more interesting for those of us that don't get excited by the latest hybrid people carrier!

[eddie main man]

That bloke at Barclays Bank with his bonus, might be one of them. Back to the car. Why can't they add pop up lights?

British Beef said:

Where are all these crazy rich car nutters that can afford £300k on top of a 430 to get it re-bodied?

As said, the recession certainly seems to be biting some!!!!

[eddie main man]

That bloke at Barclays Bank with his bonus, might be one of them. Back to the car. Why can't they add pop up lights?

British Beef said:

Where are all these crazy rich car nutters that can afford £300k on top of a 430 to get it re-bodied?

As said, the recession certainly seems to be biting some!!!!

[jack01825]

eddie main man said:

I agree with the lights but maybe even a bit bigger would have been nice.

Still i luv this car!!!

[harryowl]

Front just looks... wrong. the headlights are too widely spaced- goddamn H&S bullst banning pop-ups!

[giles77]

You could get a professionally built recreation Stratos with pop up lights and still have change for the new Maclaren AND the F458, which solves that dilemma if your bonus is making headline news.