Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Lancia Stratos - a wedge for all days?

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on December 12, 2018

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

32

Vincent von Rotz

6

Archiv

25

Bruno von Rotz

32

Vincent von Rotz

6

Archiv

25

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - tall drivers bump their heads on top

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the competition car for everyday use?

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - ran almost 240 km/h at the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - 1.76 meters wide, but only 1.1 meters high is the wedge

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - all unfolded

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - lots of technology on a small footprint

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the trunk accessible from the outside folds down with the rear cover

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - flat and wide

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - Independent suspension all round

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the wheelbase is barely larger than that of the original Mini

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the design was based on the requirements of rally drivers

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - relatively short front and rear overhangs

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - ready for the next ride

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - tubular frame monocoque combination

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - a flat flounder

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the hoods are made of plastic, the center section is made of sheet steel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the driver takes a seat here

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - easy-grip steering wheel, which always covers part of the instruments

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - you just want to take a seat here

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - attractively designed cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - fully instrumented

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - red area from 8000 rpm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - View of the interior through an opening in the rear hatch

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - there was even room for a full-face helmet or lavish road books in these compartments

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - Seat shells and separate adjustment of the backrests

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the wheel arches protrude far into the passenger compartment

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - Static belts and surprisingly comfortable seats

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - Spare wheel under the front flap

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the massive rear frame also survived a Safari Rally

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - transverse-mounted Dino V6 engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - six cylinders in V-shape, four overhead camshafts, three twin carburetors

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - Lancia emblem on the hood

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - the name came from the Zero prototype

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - Bertone played a major role in the creation of the Stratos

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - lettering at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - lettering at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Stratos Bertone (1971) - the ancestor of the Lancia Stratos with Lancia 1600 HF engine - extreme wedge shape - Geneva Motor Show 1971

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Zero (1970) - side view

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Zero (1970) - rear view

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Zero (1970) - sloping hood

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Zero (1970) - Cockpit with safety steering wheel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - Presentation in Turin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos prototype (1972) - already pretty close to the production version

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - front view

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - not far from the later production model

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - side view of the prototype

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - rear view of the prototypes - the round rear lights are striking

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - rear view of the prototype of the later rally winner

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - illustration in promotional material from back then

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - View from above - Illustration from a promotional brochure

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1971) - Sketch of the Gandini design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1974) - standard version

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos (1978) - stocky and aggressive - born for rallies

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos (1973) - the basis for rally victories

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos (1978) - side view of the Bertone design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos (1976) - Stradale version of the rally wedge, designed by Marcello Gandini

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1973) - as a Group 4 variant

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF (1973) - Sandro Munari as winner Tour de France '73

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos at the 1975 Monte Carlo Rally - Munari and Manucci win the 1975 Monte Carlo Rally in their Lancia Stratos

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Rally Monte Carlo 1975 - Lancia Stratos (a pure racing car on snow and ice) with Munari/Manucci

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos - Munari:Manucci celebrate their victory in the 1975 Monte Carlo Rally

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - a true king of the country roads

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (1975) - one wiper is enough

You have only

5 out of 63

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The Lancia Stratos are rare and special in terms of their shape and design. Built with the aim of winning rallies, even the road-going version conveys much of what Sandro Munari or Bernard Darniche experienced in their rally cars. Nevertheless, the Stradale version of the Stratos is not an uncouth racehorse to be feared. No, it is actually surprisingly well-mannered. This driving report tells the story of the Lancia Stratos and provides driving impressions in words and pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

From concept car to series production
Series production
Successful rally and rallycross career
The wedge in the test
Not a great success on the road
Driving pleasure on normal roads
Further information

Estimated reading time: 11min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Lancia Stratos was pretty much the first rally car to be developed and built specifically for this purpose. The road-going versions, called "Stradale", had the sole objective of meeting the homologation requirements (500 cars produced) for admission to Group 4 racing. In principle, the Stratos was therefore a forerunner of the later Group B cars. However, anyone expecting a vehicle that is unsuitable for everyday use will be pleasantly surprised. Cesare Fiorio and the Lancia works team had already enjoyed great success with the Fulvia in the late 1960s. However, he was convinced that times were changing and that increasingly specialized cars were needed for rallying. The Alpine A110 had demonstrated this and other manufacturers had also announced new developments. To replace the Fulvia, Fiorio needed a car with a short wheelbase, mid-engine and the best possible power-to-weight ratio.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: