2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the World Rally Championship, and
with such a diverse array of vehicles to choose from, the answer to what may be the greatest rally car of all time largely depends on who you ask.
But if you asked me, I would pick the legendary Lancia Stratos, and here are five reasons why. #lanciastratos #worldrallychampionship #rallycar #history
One: The first purpose-built rally car
The Lancia Stratos marked a turning point in the sport's development, as it was the first car to have been designed from the ground up for the sole purpose of winning rallies.
Two: A dominant force
The Stratos gave Lancia three consecutive World Rally championships and three European titles, winning everywhere except the British RAC Rally and the grueling Safari Rally in Kenya.
Three: The unbeaten champion
By the end of the 1977 season, the powers that be at Lancia's parent company Fiat decided the Stratos, still very much unbeaten and arguably at its competitive peak, was to be sidelined in favor of the new Fiat 131 Abarth for commercial reasons.
Being retired while still on top further cemented the legendary status of the mighty Stratos, which continued to win in the hands of private teams despite the lack of technical development.
Four: It's got a Ferrari engine
Plenty of time has passed since the Stratos' heyday, during which we've seen plenty of much faster and significantly more powerful rally cars.
Of which none has the cachet of packing a Ferrari engine under the bonnet, though.
Five: It's a design icon
Racing cars don't need to look beautiful or striking, yet the Stratos sure is.
Bertone's protegé Marcello Gandini, then arguably at the peak of his creativity, managed to create a shape that strikes a perfect balance between brutal efficiency and visual drama.
To this day, the Lancia Stratos is highly regarded by automobile designers worldwide and has inspired many to pursue a career in this field. That's certainly something not many other rally cars can claim...
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My automotive books:
Lancia Gamma Berlina & Coupé 1976 - 1984
ENGLISH: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TN45L8Q
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B09YVJRKH6
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 - La Storia 1979-1987 (ITALIAN)
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BHT3PCC7
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1656632500