Lancia Stratos

LANCIA STRATOS

The original inspiration for the Lancia Stratos was the 1970 Turin Show Car, produced by cachbuilders Bertone for Lancia

The futuristic, and radical, styling was the result of extensive wind tunnel testing to achieve the minimum possible coefficient of wind resistance, and produced a vehicle which looked more like something from a Sci-Fi movie than a realistic supercar. In fact, the name Stratos is reputed to be given because one of the designers thought the car looked like something which had come from the Stratosphere!!

The 1.6litre Lancia engine was placed in a mid-mounted position just ahead of transaxle, with just enough space between driver and engine for the radiator, air intakes, and a spare wheel.

The sight of the Stratos prototype captured Fiorio's imagination. He visualised the prototype being developed into a new competition car for Lancia - the Stratos. It is unlikely he could possibly have realised how dramatic an impact his dream would have on the sport.

With his visualisation of a mid-engined sports car, and a blank sheet of paper, no constraints about having to sell the car to the public, Fiorio could re-design the prototype's concept into a pure competition car.

There have been many discussions over the years as to exactly how many cars were actually completed. Many experts claim between 450 and 490 cars were actually produced, with 492 being a number which is often quoted, but Bertone themselves claim that 502 cars actually made it through production.

Although the production life of the Stratos was very short, its impact on the sport of rallying was immense. It was the first purpose-built rally car, and arguably the most beautiful, and led to the development of the immensely powerful Group B rally cars, the still-born Group S cars, and now the current set of WRC ( World Rally Championship) cars.

In the words of Cesare Fiorio, whose dream became reality, "With the Stratos, we had made a tremendous car, frightening other manufacturers, so that some dropped out."

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