In November 1970, Bertone unveiled the original Stratos at the Turin Motor Show.
The Stratos, designed by Marcello Gandini, was met with great enthusiasm.
In November 1971, Bertone presented Lancia with a second prototype car.
This car featured a completely new design incorporating a mid-engine layout, and its development goal was to win the WRC title.
The following year, the prototype participated in various rallies, and preparations for mass production progressed.
In October 1973, production of the Stratos began.
The production car’s body features a steel monocoque in the center, with FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) front and rear cowlings. The cowlings open wide, making maintenance easier.
The engine is a V65-degree 6-cylinder DOHC developed for the Ferrari Dino 246GT.
The engine, originally developed for road racing, has been re-set up for the Stratos to prioritize low-speed torque, producing a maximum output of 190 hp at 7,000 rpm and a torque of 23.0 kg at 4,000 rpm. The suspension features a double wishbone at the front and MacPherson strut coils at the rear, designed to allow for extensive adjustments even in a production car.
The Stratos’s interior, developed as a rally car, has minimal equipment and, like its exterior dimensions, is not spacious. However, the feedback from works driver Sandro Munari, who was 180cm tall, was incorporated to the fullest extent.
500 production cars were produced, and Group 4 homologation was obtained in October 1974. The Stratos remained popular, and another 500 units were produced.
The Stratos debuted at the 1974 WRC Round 5, the Sanremo Rally, and won the manufacturers’ title that season.
In 1975, when it made its full-fledged entry into the sport, and again in 1976, its dominance remained undiminished.
It achieved the remarkable feat of winning the manufacturers’ title for three consecutive years.
Developed as the world’s first purpose-built machine, the Stratos remains a popular supercar, a representative rally car of the 1970s.
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