Description

Chassis No. ZLA151AR000000106

With an exceptional motorsport history that dates to the pre-war era, Lancia was and continues to be a brand that epitomizes Italian styling, engineering, and sporting character. In fact, the Lancia 037 was be the last rear-wheel drive car to win the World Rally Championship. The winds of change first arrived in 1981 with the appearance of Audi's fearsome “Quattro” and its precocious four-wheel drive system – technology previously banned from competition under the sporting regulations. After its commanding debut at the Janner Rally in Austria with a lead of more than twenty minutes over the second-place car, it was clear that sending power to all four wheels would be the only way to stay competitive in the World Rally Championship. That is unless you were Lancia. With no hope of developing and building a four-wheel drive challenger to the Quattro before new Group B regulations went into effect for the 1982 season, Lancia's parent company Fiat got creative.

Calling on the engineers at Abarth, the development of the Lancia “Rally,” internally code-named SE037, would be based on the monocoque of Lancia's successful Group 5 endurance racing car, the Beta Montecarlo Turbo. An evolution of the 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder, twin-cam engine used in the championship-winning 131 Abarth was mounted amidships and supercharged to produce 280 to 310 horsepower in race trim. With a lithe and nimble chassis based on proven technology, and bespoke front and rear bodywork fine-tuned in Pininfarina's wind tunnel, Lancia had built a quick car. The first rally-prepared 037s debuted at the Rally Costa Smeralda in 1982, marking the beginning of a long and difficult development period that lasted the remaining rounds of the season. The stage was set the following year for a true David vs Goliath story, with defending champions Audi backed by Volkswagen and fielding a proven car, versus the Italian's less-grippy 037 and limited funding. In the end, clever tactics and world-class driving from Walter Röhrl and Markku Alén earned Lancia five WRC victories and the World Constructors Championship – their fifth as a team and the last WRC title won by a two-wheel drive car.

In compliance with Group B regulations, 207 examples of the homologated 037 “Stradale” were built. Sharing its sleek kevlar-reinforced fiberglass bodywork with its racing counterpart, each 037 Stradale left the factory finished in traditional Rosso Corsa over a spartan black interior. In street tune, its mid-mounted inline-four produced a potent 205 horsepower which was transmitted to the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed manual transmission. This state-of-the-art mechanical package was complemented by the inclusion of a self-locking rear differential and 16-inch Speedline alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli tires. These road-going versions of the all-conquering Rally 037 remain rare and significant variants of the last rear-wheel-drive entry to win the World Rally Championship.

According to research compiled under previous ownership, the expertly restored Lancia Rally 037 Stradale presented here, chassis number 106, was completed in 1982 and is thought to have been delivered new to Japan. The rare Lancia would remain in the island nation for nearly 35 years before being imported to the United States circa 2016 in complete and highly original condition. Its new owner promptly arranged for the car to be shipped to Italy where it was entrusted to the renowned Turinese Abarth and Lancia restoration company, Baldi Brothers, to undergo an exhaustive cosmetic and mechanical restoration. Under the supervision of multiple ex-factory Lancia technicians – some of whom were present when the Lancia Rally 037 originally left the factory – chassis number 106 had all of its mechanical components, including the engine, carefully disassembled and rebuilt to factory specifications. The paintwork and interior were also meticulously renewed in their correct Rosso Corsa and distinctive black corduroy fabric finishes.

Upon completion, the Lancia returned to its California-based owner in 2017 where its stunning restoration was immediately shown at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Monterey, California. Shortly thereafter, in January 2018, the freshly-restored 037 Stradale joined the consignor's discerning collection of rarely-seen European racing and concept cars showing just over 28,700 kilometers at the time. Remaining virtually unchanged since its restoration by ex-factory Lancia technicians, with the exception of a previously removed spoiler now mounted to the rear decklid, this Lancia Rally 037 Stradale presents in exceptional condition. Now displaying just over 31,000 kilometers on its Veglia Borletti odometer at the time of cataloging, chassis number 106 presents an unrivaled opportunity to acquire and experience a landmark model in the history of rallying from the sport's most successful marque.

Addendum & Administrative Notes

Due to California emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of California or to a licensed automotive dealer.