Christmas is just around the corner and I just found the perfect gift… for me. I would definitely be happier behind the wheel of this beautiful and excellent Lancia Stratos . The machine specifically designed to succeed in the world rally championship, winning three consecutive championships — 1974, 1975 and 1976 — was produced in almost 500 units for homologation purposes.
The Lancia Stratos continues to look like an alien among automobiles at the time. Its futuristic design could well be released today that no one would suspect that it is already four decades old.
Lancia symbol, but Ferrari engine
The engine could not come from a nobler house: is a Ferrari V6 , an unusual configuration in the brand. Originally conceived to equip the horse-brand Dino, it would find a place not only in the Stratos, but also in the Fiat Dino Coupé and Spider.
In the Lancia Stratos, we find the largest version of the engine, with 2400 cm3 and 190 hp, placed in the central rear position. It sounds like little, but consider that it weighed just 980 kg — the same as a current Mazda MX-5. The 190 hp reached the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.
All about the #44
This unit is number 44, is just over 71 thousand kilometers and has so far had only two owners — 40 years of its life were spent in Italy. The current owner bought the car in Europe and did a thorough job this year already — this Stratos is ready to be driven, or driven.
It is now registered in the US, in the state of Texas, but has all the original documentation, from the original manual to import papers, and even includes a copy of RM Clarke's book on everything there is to know about this machine. so special.
Built at Bertone's premises in Grugliasco, Italy, on June 25, 1974, it was given bodywork number 214, which can be checked at various points on the bodywork. The #44 comes in the Rosso Arancio Rally color, with red carpets, “Havana” seats, and black dashboard, door panels and seatbacks. Final assembly took place on July 1, 1974 and was registered on July 8, with registration TO R05675.
Over the next three years it covered around 20,000 kilometers until it was acquired by a second owner on June 18, 1980, receiving a new registration on May 25, 1981—Rome Y70304. The Lancia Stratos #44 would cover another 50,000 kilometers until 1984. After that year, the car would be stored and driven sporadically.
Interested?
For potential bidders, this Lancia Stratos is listed on the Bring a Trailer, and bids can be placed for a further two days. At the moment, the value of Stratos amounts to 360 thousand dollars (just over 305 thousand euros). Dear Santa Claus…
Update: after a few days of bidding at Bring a Trailer, this fantastic Lancia Stratos was fetched for $475,000, the equivalent of almost 401,000 euros at the current exchange rate.