When the chips were down for Lancia, they bet big and won big with the Stratos. Ride along with us and discover its power.
Storied History
The Stratos HF emerged in the early 1970s as an automotive revolution, conceived by Lancia in partnership with Bertone and designer Marcello Gandini. Initially presented in concept form as the radical Stratos Zero at the 1970 Turin Motor Show, it showcased a wedge profile and avant‑garde aerodynamics that hinted at its rallying intentions.
Based on a steel space-frame chassis with a fiberglass body and powered by a compact mid-mounted Ferrari Dino V6, Lancia’s first car built entirely from ground up for rally duty was optimized for handling and performance.
On the rally stage, the Stratos’s dominance was almost instantaneous. Its first international win came in April 1973 at the Firestone Rally, followed by victory at the Tour de France Automobile in September. From 1974 through 1976, Lancia secured three consecutive World Rally Championship constructors’ titles, marking the brand's first WRC triumphs and launching a golden era.
Piloted by star drivers like Sandro Munari (who won Monte Carlo three times) and Björn Waldegård, the Stratos notched numerous wins at iconic events such as Monte Carlo, Sanremo, and the Targa Florio.
The Stratos’s influence extended far beyond results: it reshaped rally car design and Lancia’s identity. It introduced a mid-engine layout, radical aerodynamics, and a purpose-built structure that set new standards. Its wildly futuristic styling (round taillights, pronounced wing, vivid interior color blocking) influenced Lancia’s design language for decades, seen also in later models like the 037 and Delta Integrale .
Despite its rally success, less than 500 units were manufactured with approximately 250 sold to customers by 1978. Its reputation has since grown to cult status. Today, full-spec Stratos are sought after by collectors and continue to inspire the masses as a symbol of Lancia's racing spirit.
