To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 6 - 7
March 2020.
Estimate:
$500,000 - $600,000
- Radical, advanced design by Marcello Gandini
- Rare production Stradale version; one of just 492 examples
built
- Known ownership history per Auto Club d'Italia registrations
and Estratto Cronologico
- Matching-numbers example retaining the original chassis,
engine, and body
- Comprehensive two-year restoration completed in 2017
- Ideal for event display or entry in vintage rallying
events
The Lancia Stratos is undoubtedly one of the most successful rally
cars ever devised. In 1970 the Italian carrozzeria Bertone arrived
at the Turin Motor Show with a radical concept called the Stratos
Zero. Resembling a futuristic spaceship, the Zero stood out not
only to throngs of media and show-goers, but also to Lancia PR
director Sandro Fiorio. Fiorio and his son Cesare, Lancia's rally
team chief, considered how a production version of this radical
design could be introduced. Their goal was to invigorate the
manufacturer's relatively staid image and its struggling
motorsports division.
With a sense of purpose, the Fiorios approached Lancia managing
director Ugo Gobbato to propose a Bertone-bodied car based on the
Stratos Zero concept. Gobbato, a former Ferrari chief, approved the
project on the condition that it would be powered by a mid-mounted
Ferrari V-6 engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, suggesting a
clever use of parts sharing that would keep down the development
costs.
The following year, the orange Stratos HF (High Fidelity) prototype
debuted at the 1971 Turin Auto Show. The Stratos's stunning design
was again entrusted to Marcello Gandini, and in a nod to the car's
competition mandate, it featured a large wraparound front
windshield providing enormous outward visibility. The Stratos is
now considered to be the first automobile ever purposely built for
the World Rally Championship.
In 1972 the Lancia team began campaigning the Stratos as a
prototype, but success was not instantaneous. Eventually earning
its first win in 1973, by 1974 the model was on its way to
supremacy in Group 4 rallying. Entry into that year's World Rally
Championship required a homologation of 500 road-legal units, and
production commenced in 1973. Only 492 examples were ever
completed, however, as the Group 4 production requirement was soon
lowered to 400 units.
The Stratos was phenomenally successful on the world's rally
stages, securing three WRC Manufacturers' Championships from 1974
to 1976 and thereby cementing its legendary status. After its
factory campaign was over, the model continued to be successful in
the hands of privateers, helping Sandro Munari to the WRC Drivers'
Championship in 1977 and even winning the Monte Carlo Rally in
1979.
Benefitting from a recent restoration to concours standards,
chassis no. 001976 is one of the most finely presented examples to
be offered in some time. The Lancia was initially registered in
Italy in October 1975 under the ownership of its first caretaker,
Paolo Neri of Livorno, Italy. A year later the Stratos was sold to
its second owner, fellow Livorno resident Romano Cionini Visani,
and he kept the car for seven years before briefly relinquishing it
in early 1983 only to buy it back in December. Visani ultimately
retained possession for a further 11 years, selling it to Giuseppe
Di Benedetto in 1994.
After a 20-year ownership, Di Benedetto sold the Lancia in October
2015 to the consignor. Though the Stratos was complete and fully
usable upon purchase, it was in need of freshening, so the car was
immediately delivered to Richard Grenon of Driving the Best
(Au-Temps-Tics-Auto) in Montreal, Canada. It was then treated to a
cosmetic refurbishment including a quality refinish in blue and
re-appointment of the interior, and invoices on file demonstrate
this work cost in excess of $60,000.
Following the cosmetic work, the Stradale was entrusted in 2017 to
Phil Bagley of Klub Sport Racing in Riviera Beach, Florida, and he
conducted a full mechanical refurbishment, addressing the engine,
brakes, and suspension. Mr. Bagley has continued to regularly tend
the car as needed, including maintenance as recently as 2019.
Though the Stratos remains largely original and period-correct (of
all major components, only the windshield was replaced), several
steps were taken to improve use for touring events, such as
installing electronic ignition and dual side mirrors.
The Lancia has accrued very little mileage since 2015, and the
odometer currently displays a modest 29,800 kilometers (18,517
miles). Retaining its original matching-numbers engine and
coachwork, this beautifully presented Stratos is documented with
Auto Club d'Italia registrations illustrating a 40-year chain of
Italian ownership, as well as restoration and service invoices. It
would make a stunning addition to any sporting rally collection,
offering a perfect arrangement of drivability and presentation,
just as a Stratos should.To view this car and others currently
consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am20.
