Since its creation in 1973, Lancia have won the World Rally Championship 10 times, making them the most successful rally manufacturer of all time. Of Lancia’s line of fantastic rally cars, one car established Lancia as a rallying force to be reckoned with; the Stratos. Proceeded by the Stratos Zero concept of 1970, the Stratos HF was the first rally car designed from the ground up for such a purpose, ushering in a new era of rally car construction. Debuting at the 1974 World Rally Championship, the Stratos won Lancia their first WRC victory, continuing to net another two during the 1975 and ’76 seasons.
In order to homologate the Stratos for Group 4 500 Stradale’s, or road going versions were built. Fitted with a mid-mounted 2.4-litre V6 from the Ferrari Dino, the combination of such an engine with a comically short wheelbase led to massive power and unparalleled agility.
Penned by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the Stratos’ design is one of the automotive world’s greatest. While it lacks the sheer beauty of Bertone’s previous designs such as the Miura, there’s a charming simplicity to the Stratos’ strictly functional, yet almost extra-terrestrial shape.
Lancia Stratos Stradale Video
Lancia Stratos Stradale Gallery
Main image credit:
https://wall.alphacoders.com/
#Lancia #Stratos #Stradale #Homologation #V6 #Italian #RallyCar #Gandini #Bertone