Chassis No. 829AR0 001948
Body No. 91

The otherworldly Bertone Stratos Zero prototype, which most recently captivated crowds at the 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and won the "Wedge Concepts and Prototypes" class, represents one the most singularly significant concept cars of the 1970s. Unveiled at the 1970 Torino Motor Show, Marcello Gandini's revolutionary design for Bertone stood just 33 inches tall and featured a dramatic wedge profile, a retractable steering wheel, and a forward-hinged windscreen that formed the entire upper body section. This fully functional prototype, finished striking copper metallic paintwork, helped set in motion the aerospace-inspired, wedge aesthetic that would come to define 1970s automotive design.

Gandini's radical concept car caught the attention of Cesare Fiorio, head of Lancia's competition department, who was seeking a purpose-built rally car to substitute the dominant but aging Fulvia HF. While the production Stratos HF that debuted in 1971 shared only its basic wedge profile with the Zero concept, it maintained the same revolutionary spirit, now with Ferrari's 2.4-liter Dino V6 engine mounted amidships in a short wheelbase chassis. The dramatic bodywork, with its curved windscreen wrapping into the roof and distinctive round taillights, was shaped specifically around the requirements of Group 4 rally competition, featuring integrated roll protection and large clamshell panel for quick service access.

The resulting collaboration between Bertone and Lancia produced one of the most successful purpose-built rally cars in history. The Stratos HF, or High Fidelity, dominated international rallying from 1974 to 1976, securing three consecutive World Rally Championship for Manufacturers titles and three straight victories at the grueling Monte Carlo Rally. The Stratos represented a paradigm shift in rally car design, being one of the first cars conceived specifically for rally competition rather than being adapted from an existing road car, establishing a template that manufacturers would adopt for decades to come.

In accordance with Group 4 homologation regulations, Lancia needed to produce 500 road-going examples of the Stratos within a 12-month period—though contemporary sources suggest this target was never achieved and that the real production figure is approximately 492 units. Dubbed the HF Stradale, these rare road-going variants retained the Ferrari Dino V6 engine in a milder state of tune, producing 190 horsepower with its 12-valve cylinder head. Despite these production concessions, the sub-1000 kilogram weight still enabled impressive run to 60 miles per hour in under 7 seconds and a top speed approaching 150 mph. Even the distinctive helmet storage compartments beneath the side windows remained, linking the Stradale to its rally origins.

According to the production order register of Bertone's Grugliasco facility, body shell number 91 was completed as a German-market version on 22 May 1975, finished in Azzurro (Light Blue) with a Black-upholstered interior and Sereno carpeting. According to previous research, the Lancia was a German market example first registered to Herbert Engel in November 1975, followed by an impressive 27-year residence in Peter Kaus's renowned Rosso Bianco Collection in Aschaffenburg. After leaving this prestigious collection in 2008, the Stratos passed to noted collector Evert Louwman before finding its way to American enthusiast Phil Toledano. Under Toledano's stewardship, the Stratos was the recipient of a comprehensive two-year restoration. The project included a complete refinishing in the factory-correct Azzurro, full interior refurbishment, and thorough mechanical overhaul of all major components. Particular attention was paid to electrical reliability through the installation of a new wiring harness. Following this exacting restoration, the car was shown and actively campaigned in prestigious events including the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance and Copperstate 1000.

Acquired by the current owner in 2017, the Stratos has continued to be used sparingly and enjoyed as part of an important collection of post-war European sports cars. Today, this spectacularly restored Stratos is offered with a portion the proceeds of the sale benefiting The Footprints Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit. Founded by John and Lisa Weinberger in 2008, The Footprints Foundation and its Driven to Care Legacy Scholarship program supports students pursuing a career in the automotive industry by offering scholarships to select schools with programs in automotive engineering, restoration, technician training, skilled automotive trades and dealership marketing/management. Beyond scholarships, Driven to Care also offers student experiences including behind the scenes tours at racetracks, car auctions, and with industry leaders.

Presenting an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of Lancia's most iconic motorsport creations, this Stratos HF Stradale embodies the perfect balance of competition heritage and road-going usability. With proceeds benefiting a worthy cause, this remarkable example stands ready for either continued enjoyment on prestigious tours and rallies or preservation in a significant collection, representing the pinnacle of Italian competition engineering from a golden era of rallying.