The story of Lancia’s most memorable postwar sports car begins at the 1970 Torino Motor Show, where Carrozzeria Bertone unveiled the dramatic new Stratos Zero concept. With its bold wedge shape, futuristic front-hinged door, and mid-mounted Fulvia powerplant, Bertone’s prototype was the star of the show and attracted the interest of Lancia director Ugo Gobbato and HF Squadra Corse head Cesare Florio.

The Stratos HF made its competition debut at the Tour de Corse in November 1972, and the following month Ferrari agreed to provide a run of 2.4-liter Dino engines for the new car. In late 1973, Lancia made preparations for the production of the Stratos HF and Bertone supplied 500 monocoque chassis. In October 1974, the Stratos was finally homologated for the FIA’s Group 4 Special GT Category. Over the next five years, the innovative Lancia sports car dominated rally racing, capturing hundreds of wins. Upon completion of production, Lancia had built 492 examples of the groundbreaking Stratos, the majority of which were sold to private customers as road-going HF Stradale variants.

The 44th of 492 factory-built examples, chassis 001544 was completed by Bertone on July 1, 1974, as documented by Stratos authority Thomas Popper. Finished in the iconic Rosso Arancio (Red Orange) livery with “Havana” Alcantara upholstery and red carpeting, the Lancia was originally delivered to Torino, where its first owner, Giuseppe Capra, drove it nearly 20,000 km before selling it in 1980. The Stratos’ second owner, Massimo Lotti, registered the car in Rome and added an additional 50,000 km over the course of the next four years. Around 1984, he placed the Lancia in long-term static storage, where it remained until 2017, when it was acquired by the consignor and exported from Italy for the first time. Upon its arrival in the US, the Stratos was treated to a thorough detailing and mechanical servicing, including rebuilding the suspension and braking systems. Late in 2017, the Lancia was sold to a private East Coast collector, who loaned it to the famous Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles for the popular exhibition, Supercars: A Century of Spectacle and Speed.

Recently reacquired by the consignor, 001544 benefits from a recent gearbox rebuild, engine out service, and through cosmetic detailing. Significantly, Thomas Popper has confirmed that this car retains its matching-numbers engine, gearbox, and Bertone body panels, which are stamped with the original scocca number, 214.

Rarely seen in such well-preserved condition, this iconic Stratos presents a rare opportunity to acquire an example of Lancia’s rally icon, a model rarely offered on the open market. Accompanied by copies of Italian registration records, original insurance and ownership documents, an original owner’s manual, R.M. Clarke’s book Lancia Stratos 1972–1985, as well as copies of the various owner’s and user’s manuals, spare parts, and technical data booklets produced for the model, this Stratos represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire an important and groundbreaking Lancia without having to travel outside the US.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled as 001544.