The Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

The Lancia Stratos HF brought home three World Rally Championships and no less than eighteen World Rally victories, it saw a new partnership blossom between Bertone and Lancia, and it helped pave the way for Lancia to become the world’s most successful World Rally team, a title they retain to this day!

Having already designed the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, Marcello Gandini was well established as a design master. The Stratos HF Prototype was unveiled at the 1971 Turin Motor Show, receiving huge applause from the crowds and motoring media alike. It’s unique body shape was like nothing seen before. The cabin featured a wrap-around windscreen with great frontal visibility and the low dashboard gave the driver a real connection to the road and car. The beautifully elegant Alcantara seats make for a comfortable, and surprisingly spacious cabin for both driver and passenger.

By the time production started, Enzo Ferrari was delivering his famed 190 bhp, 2.4 litre, V6 Dino engines, ensuring the Stratos HF was a potent weapon whether on the Italian autostrada, or a stage of the Monte Carlo rally, which it won on four occasions.

The 1970’s brought many things, not all great, but in the car world, it brought the Lancia Stratos, and I think we can all agree, that was great! A car that is so instantly recognisable with its strikingly good looks, powered by a mid-mounted Ferrari V6 engine and one that enjoyed unprecedented dominance in World Rallying, could it ever be replicated?

This Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

Manufacture of this Lancia Stratos HF Stradale started in August 1974 at the Bertone workshops, with the body (Scocca in Italian) assigned number 244. The car then had the mechanicals fitted at the Lancia factory in Chivasso, and production was completed in January 1975. The car was originally finished in Rosso (red), with Nero con Alcantara avana (black leatherette seat backs and Havana Alcantara) seats, a specification which it retains today.

Between 1993 and 1997, this Stratos HF Stradale was owned by renowned French collector, Monsieur Jacques Capoulade in Lot, France. During his ownership, Capoulade commissioned a sympathetic restoration, respecting the originality. In 1999, the car passed to another family, who chose to enter the car in the 1999 Coupe des Alpes, and Rallye du Forez. After a passing in the family, the car passed to the owners’ children, who continued to use this Stratos very little.

The current French owner purchased the car in the summer of 2014. As an enthusiast of driving his classic cars, this Parisian collector has undertaken a cosmetic restoration, including a repaint in the cars original colour. Mechanically, the gearbox was also rebuilt, with new flexible brake lines, exhaust system and new tyres were also fitted.

Today, the Lancia Stratos HF Stradale is well-regarded as one of the best all-round cars from the 1970’s. If you enjoy participating at Concours events, if you enjoy touring the Côte d’Azur, or if you are looking for something unique to take to your local Cars & Coffee meeting, the Lancia Stratos HF Stradale really is for you!

Price Upon Application