Lot 255: 1977 Lancia Stratos Stradale - Group 4

The Lancia Stratos was the first car to be designed specifically for international rallies - in which it enjoyed extraordinary success - and because 400 examples had to be built, it allowed some lucky people to buy a competition machine for the road. It was a revolutionary design of timeless beauty which was among the first of the modern 'supercars'. With a top speed (in production form) of 143mph (0-60mph in 6.8seconds) allied to superb handling and brakes, there are still few cars which can match it in real motoringconditions: driving from A to B along twisting roads.The Stratos first appeared in 1970 as a styling exercise by Bertone on Lancia Fulvia running gear and was taken up by Cesare Fiorio who then was Lancia's competition manager. Before long a prototype was built using a Lancia engine, but the car's potential was so great that a 2.4 litre Ferrari Dino unit was substituted and a legend was born.When it was run by the works in international rallies, the Stratos became possibly the first car in history which was expected to win. It was that good and it took the World Championships in 1975 and 1976. Fiat, the parent company, then changed its competition policy and decided to win rallies with a different car, but that did not stop the Stratos. As late as1979 a privately entered Stratos won the Monte Carlo Rally which is one of the most remarkable feats in modern competition history.It seems hardly credible today but after Lancia built the 400+ examples of the Stratos needed for homologation, most of them gathered dust because not many people wanted to buy one. Within a very short time, however, the Stratos was recognised as one of the great cars of its time, they were snapped up and prices soared.The fine example we are proud to offer today has remained with the same family since being purchased by them in 1977. This car was first registered for the road with the Rome registration RMV 99863. In 2006 the car received a light restoration and benefited from a number of 'Group 4' modifications and parts which include: wide front and rear wheel arches to Group 4 specification, an 'inesti frontale' gearbox: an addition worth 25.000 Euros alone,a Group 4 body kit costing 10.000 Euros and Group 4 alloy wheels and tyres costing some 7500 Euros. The car is presented in good original condition and importanly with unquestionable provenance. The above mentioned Group 4 modifications make this car especially desirable. Chassis 1703 is ready to be exercised by its lucky new owner.Cette voiture a été dans la mme famille depuis 1977. Elle fut mise en circulation pour la premire fois Rome avec la plaque d'immatriculation RMV 99863. En 2006, elle reut une légre remise a neuf et est dans de trs bonne condition d'origine. Chssis 1703 est prte pour son nouveau propriétaire.