1982 Lancia 037 Stradale
New FIA regulations instituted in 1980 spearheaded something of a rebirth for the World Rally Championship by allowing automakers to homologate a relatively small number of road-going versions of their racing cars. Lancia turned to Abarth, which was now part of the Fiat-Lancia group, to create Project 037 as a replacement for their highly regarded Stratos HF. Expectations in Turin were so high that Pininfarina and Dallara were also called upon for their input.
Rally prepared 037s debuted at Costa Smeralda in 1982 and Lancia went on to capture the Constructors’ title the following year, despite fierce competition from Audi’s vaunted Quattro. Walter Röhrl and Markku Alen would also etch their names into motorsports history as the last drivers to win the Constructors’ title in a rear-wheel-drive rally car.
RM Sotheby’s will be offering this example at their Monaco auction on the 14th May. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photo Credit: Cymon Taylor ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's