One to Buy: unrestored 22,000km from new 1976 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale (SOLD)
Even though the Group B era of 1982 to ‘86 spawned a variety of extreme vehicles, arguably the most radical machine ever to take to the special stages arrived during the early 1970s when Lancia created the incredible Stratos.
With its mid-mounted Ferrari V6 engine and out-of-this-world Bertone styling, the Stratos caused a sensation in a sport previously dominated by comparatively humdrum machinery originally designed for mass markey consumption.
By contrast, just 400 examples of the Stratos were built and the extraordinary wedge-shaped machine went on to secure a hat-trick of World Rally Championship titles in 1974, ‘75 and ‘76. Elsewhere, the Stratos also won the 1974 Targa Florio outright, the Tour de France on five occasions and the Giro d’Italia in 1974 and ‘76.
Currently residing at the DK Engineering showroom in Hertfordshire is one of the finest Stratos HF Stradales to exist.
Having covered a little under 22,000km from new, this four owner car is presented in superb original condition and is rightly regarded as a reference example for the model.
Painted in what is commonly regarded as the best colour for a Startos road car (Azzurro HF), it was also equipped with the two-piece matt black aero kit that comprised a large rear spoiler and basket handle cockpit aerofoil homologated in late 1974.
Reprinted below is DK Engineering’s description for this superb example of the original rally supercar:
This rare Lancia Stratos is one of those exceptional finds one only rarely comes across and is one of 492 Stratos HF Stradales to have left the marque’s Chivasso plant. The majority of the examples to have been produced were either modified for rally use or beat up and restored, however, this time-warp example goes against the grain having been kept original and unmolested throughout its life, a real “reference car”.
Upon inspection the car is found to retain its original engine, gearbox, body, brakes, suspension, exterior paint, exhaust, wheels, and exterior stickers. This car has never been standing for a long time, it’s just been used very little but on a regular basis by all its previous owners.
Inside the car, the seats are finished in a stunning tan suede leather upholstery and the carpets present in excellent condition throughout the inside.
On the outside, the car has been found to be finished in its original paint, with only the passenger side lip on the rocker panel has been touched up once a very, very long time ago. Of course, there is plenty of patina and stone chips as one would find on a 40-year-old car.
Again, thanks to its originality, the documentation of the car is unlike seen on most Stratos’. Accompanied by the original service book, owner’s manual and even the rare roadside assistance brochure. The car is currently fitted with a set of replacement wheels, though the originals accompany car.
There are indeed some Stradale Stratos’ known in the world with fewer kilometres on the speedo but most of them have been restored or have even had to be fully rebuilt.
Having been held by a total of just five owners in its near 50-year life, this car was bought into the UK and subsequently registered in early 2015 when DK Engineering sourced the car for its current owner and have stored since on their behalf.
Since arrival in the UK, the car has been meticulously maintained and serviced frequently with no expense spared. Most notably, in 2018, almost £15,000 was spent on the car ensuring the car was running and maintained as correctly as possible.
Ownership History
13.02.1976 - Romeo Rosario of Italy
17.04.1982 - Catanzaro Luigia of Italy
17.02.2005 - Joachim Lütticken of Germany
02.03.2009 - Rudi Penders of Belgium
25.02.2015 - Current owner of London
