Lancia Stratos Remake Under Consideration

Just the Facts:

• A re-creation of the 1972 Lancia Stratos was seen on Alfa Romeo's test track.
• The car's running gear was supplied by a Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale.
• The finished one-off car will be unveiled late this year.

MILAN, Italy — These images show a spectacular re-creation of the 1972 Lancia Stratos testing at Alfa Romeo's Balocco test track in northern Italy. Based on the structure and running gear of the Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale, this remake is believed to have been funded by a car enthusiast industrialist for his sole use, although it's possible that it could be produced in very small numbers for other customers.

The finished car will be unveiled late this year. There's no word on price, but given that this could end up being a one-off, it could easily run to seven figures. This latest homage to Lancia's 1972 Stratos is thought to have been inspired by the 2005 remake developed by the Fenomenon design consultancy, which was exhibited at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show.

The fact that it was caught testing on a Fiat Auto facility is interesting, though may not be significant. At this point, the company has presumably done no more than give tacit approval to the project, although a stronger association is theoretically possible at least.

Nor is it clear whether the car will be branded as a Lancia, but it could well use the Stratos name, the rights to which reside with Stratos collector Chris Hrabalek, the name behind the Fenomenon concept.

Ferrari is not thought to have supplied the car's running gear — more likely a Challenge Stradale will have been used as a donor car. Although that sounds expensive, the cost of sacrificing a Ferrari for its internals will be nothing compared to the total bill for the project.

It's believed that the wheelbase of the aluminum F430 spaceframe structure has been cut down to achieve the right proportions — among other things, the original Stratos was legendary for an exceptionally short wheelbase that afforded it outstanding maneuverability in its primary role as a rally car.

The new car is thought to be pretty light, at well under 2,650 pounds, suggesting the use of carbon-fiber outer panels. That should result in a spectacular power-to-weight ratio given that an F430 Challenge Ferrari weighs 2,700 pounds and that the engine has been lightly tuned for its application in the Stratos.

Should Fiat do more than offer arm's-length endorsement of this project, it could have interesting implications for Lancia, whose sporting DNA strand has largely been suppressed since the World Rally Championship-winning Delta Integrale hatchback went out of production.

Lancia's designers have clearly considered the marque's sporting heritage in the past few years, however — proof first appearing in the form of the pretty 2003 Fulvietta concept, which was at one point investigated for production feasibility. There has also been talk of an update of the midengined Lancia Scorpion sports car, known as the Monte Carlo in Europe.

But apart from the huge cost of developing these models, Fiat has always struggled with the overlap with Alfa Romeo that these models would create. Alternatively, it could simply cash in on the appeal of this new Stratos, selling it as a limited edition in the manner of the Alfa 8C Competizione without feeling the need to add more affordable sports models to Lancia's lineup.

Inside Line says: This fabulous reinterpretation of one of the best-looking rally cars of all time surely deserves more than just one copy, although its rich commissioner may decide otherwise. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent