1974 Lancia Stratos Coupe

The Lancia Stratos HF (for 'High Fidelity') was introduced to the public at the Turin Motor Show in November 1971. It was inspired by the Stratos Zero concept, designed for Bertone by Marcello Gandini.

The Stratos made its competition debut in November of 1972 on the Tour de Corse, as a Group 5 prototype. Its first success was in 1973 at the Tour de France and the Firestone Rally, and a 2nd at the Targa Florio.

Group 3 homologation requirements required a minimum of 1,000 production units to be produced. Group 4, however, dictated that 500 examples be built within a 24-month period. Stratos production officially began on 1 July 1972, which meant that 500 examples had to be completed by 31 July 1974. The bodies were built by Bertone at their Grugliasco Works and the completed body shells were shipped to Lancia for final assembly. By the end of 1974, only 183 examples had been completed, yet Group 4 homologation was confirmed on 1 October 1974. Bertone had managed to produce enough components and completed body shells for the FIA to approve the homologation, even though body production and final assembly would continue through 1975. By the time production came to an end, approximately 492 completed examples had left Lancia's Via San Paolo Works.

This particular example is a Stratos HF Stradale, or street version. Its body shell (scocca) number, 31, is stamped on the cowl, the rear bulkhead, both door jambs, and the trunk lid. It is finished in its original color of Rosso Arancio (2.464.171). The car was completed on June 25th, 1974. Along with its Rosso Arancio colors, it had red carpets, 'Havana' Alcantara seating surfaces, a black dashboard, door panels, and seat backs.

This car's invoice/shipping date was December 18th of 1974. Currently, the car has 6,440 km from new. It is believed to have had only two owners since being acquired 'new' from Lancia dealer Campidoglio Motori in Rome, Italy, in March 1986. The car was apparently used as a demonstration model by Campidoglio. On delivery, the odometer read only 3,236 km.

In 2014, the car was imported to the United States, when it was acquired by the current caretaker.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018