Vehicle 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 R�hrl
and Markku Alen 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.
