1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale
1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

Built from scratch to contest World Rally, the Stratos was the first of its kind. It practically changed the sport, and started a new era in rally when manufacturers created thinly disguised race cars to homologate as production cars.

1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale
1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

Roughly based on a dramatic concept car released by Bertone at the 1971 Turin Motor Show, the production version was seen a year later and had everyone looking twice. Aside from its short, wide and wedge-shaped body by Bertone, the Stratos had all the hallmarks of a winning race car.

1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale
1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

Every Stratos used a mid-mounted Ferrari V6, but in varying states of tune. For instance, 280 bhp turbocharged versions were permitted to race in the Group 5 class, while the 400 road cars used a standard spec 190 bhp engine.