Estimate €550,000 - €750,000
Chassis no. 829AR0*001959
French registration certificate
French registration title
"In the same hands for nearly 40 years, exceptional original condition"
“In the same ownership for nearly 40 years, in exceptional original condition”
The story begins in 1960: a handful of Lancia enthusiasts, nostalgic for the company's glory days and its racing team, Scuderia Lancia , created the "Club Lancia HF" (for High Fidelity). It was only three years later that the club established its own racing department to compensate for the company's lack of involvement in competition: the " HF Squadra ." Following the success of this small group, the factory officially resumed its involvement in motorsport, initially with the Flavia, then the Fulvia and Beta.
After the numerous economic setbacks in its history, the very same ones that led to its disappearance from the racing scene, Lancia was acquired by Fiat. Budgets changed, and with them came the opportunity to create, once again, an innovative model… It was at the 1970 Turin Motor Show that Cesare Fiorio, co-founder of Scuderia Lancia HF , fell under the spell of Nuccio Bertone's new prototype, the Stratos Zero. Its lines were unique, sleek, and modern, and the project was powered by the Fulvia's engine. The matter was settled; Lancia asked Bertone to adapt this concept car for the road, and Fiat offered the possibility of fitting it with the exceptional 2.4-liter Dino V6.
The result was presented in November 1971: the prototype's lines were slightly modified, with the addition of a unique panoramic windshield! Rallying success followed, with 17 World Championship victories and two titles in 1975 and 1976. The homologation version, christened the Stradale, hit the roads in 1973, causing an immediate stir among other road users! This is how the story between the Stratos and its current owner began, on a bend in the Alps: " I was driving my Ferrari Dino when a Stratos came roaring past in the opposite direction! That's where the quest began: I absolutely had to have one ." It wasn't until a few years later, in 1987, that the current owner purchased chassis #1959 from the Chardonnet company.
The history of our example is recounted thanks to historian Thomas Popper: delivered new in Milan in the elegant Midnight Blue color combination with a beige interior (most of which is still original), it arrived in France in 1982, before joining the collection of its current owner. A collector from the very beginning, he already owned a myriad of Ferrari Dinos, and several Lamborghinis (Miura, Countach, and Diablo, to name a few). In its early years, chassis #1959 was used as it should be, both for leisurely rallies and more spirited ones! The car was already in its current configuration, painted red, with wide fenders and Group 4 style wheels. Today, it is presented to us in a uniquely original condition. The engine is still the original one, the body panels (doors and trunk) have matching numbers, and many areas still reveal the original paint.
Eligible for the most prestigious events on the historic racing calendar, including the Tour Auto, Stratos are extremely rare cars (fewer than 500 examples in Stradale configuration) and exceptional to drive! Our example is among the most authentic, and the choice is between continuing to live in its current condition or representing a unique restoration project on the current market… The future owner must make the difficult decision: return it to its original color and configure it for Stradale , or opt for a Group 4 conversion and participate in the next Tour Auto! The choice is yours…
Our story begins in 1960: a handful of Lancia enthusiasts, nostalgic for the brand's glory days and its racing team, Scuderia Lancia, founded the ' Club Lancia HF' (standing for High Fidelity). It was not until three years later that the club set up its own racing department to compensate for the manufacturer's lack of involvement in competition: the “ HF Squadra ”. Following the success of this small group, the factory officially returned to competition, first with the Flavia, then the Fulvia, and finally the Beta.
Following the many financial setbacks in its history – the very ones that led to its disappearance from the racing scene – Lancia is taken over by Fiat. Budgets changed, bringing with them the opportunity to create an innovative model once again… It was at the 1970 Turin Motor Show that Cesare Fiorio, co-founder of Scuderia Lancia HF, fell under the spell of Nuccio Bertone's new prototype, the Stratos Zero. The design was unique, sleek and modern, and the project was powered by Fulvia's engine. The matter was settled: Lancia asked Bertone to adapt this concept car for the road, and Fiat offered the option of fitting it with the exceptional 2.4-litre Dino V6 engine.
The result was unveiled in November 1971: the prototype's design was slightly modified, with the addition of a brand-new panoramic windscreen! Success in rallying was assured, with 17 World Championship victories and two titles, in 1975 and 1976. The road-legal version, named the Stradale, hit the roads in 1973, causing an immediate stir amongst other road users! That is how the story between the Stratos and its current owner began, on a bend in the Alps: “ I was driving my Ferrari Dino when a Stratos came hurtling past in the opposite direction, making an absolute frightful racket! That's when the quest began: I simply had to have one . It was not until a few years later, in 1987, that the current owner purchased #1959 from Chardonnet.
The history of our car is traced through Thomas Popper's research: delivered new in Milan in the elegant Midnight Blue and beige color scheme (most of the interior is still original), it arrived in France in 1982, before joining the current owner's collection. A collector from the very first hour, he owned a myriad of Ferrari Dinos at the time, as well as a few Lamborghinis (Miura, Countach and Diablo, to name but a few…). In the early years, #1959 was used as it should be, for everything from leisurely rallies to those… more high-octane affairs! The car was already in its current configuration, painted red, with wide wings and Gr.4-style wheels. Today, it stands out to us in its unique original condition. The engine is still the original one, the body panels (doors and boot) have matching numbers, and in many areas the original paintwork is still visible.
Eligible for the finest events on the historic racing calendar, including the Tour Auto, the Stratos is an extremely rare car (fewer than 500 Stradale models were built) and a joy to drive! Our example is one of the most authentic, and could either be kept as is or become a unique restoration project on the current market… It is up to the future owner to make the difficult decision: restore it to its original color and put it in Stradale specification, or opt for a conversion to Gr. 4 and take part in the next Tour Auto! The choice is yours…
Text & Image: Aguttes
