Retropower Stratos HF

Volumex

1 of 1 example using ListerBell Automotive chassis & body
A completely bespoke build by Retropower
Incredible saving over original build cost

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On sale: £222,000

Into the stratosphere

Lancia is a name synonymous with the world of rally, a manufacturer that dominated for years through three decades of the sport, winning every Italian rally title from 1965 to 1973, excluding 1970; with the unforgettable Fulvia. How do you follow such an act? You design a competition car that takes three World Rally Championship titles back to back taking eighteen overall victories throughout those three seasons. However, to do this you need a special machine and not just any family saloon, you need a homologation special.

Lancia went ballistic, bringing in new blood with the wizardry of Bertone to design the car and pinching a Dino V6 from Ferrari. Combining this with an absurdly short wheel base and curb weight, you end up with the Lancia Stratos. An icon of a car enthusiasts have lusted after for many, many years.

You cant just build a car for the WRC, you need a homologated car. Rules stated that Lancia were required to produce 500 road going examples, so naturally they produced 492. Enough to fool the FIA and go on a rampage winning nearly every event the car entered while simultaneously making young boys fall in love all around the world with Marcello Gandini’s timeless design. As a right of passage the car has rightfully carved its way into the automotive hall of fame, and with fame comes tributes.

Before we get into the Retropower Stratos, we need to understand the multiple aspects of inspiration the original owner has drawn from. Yes the car retains the infamous Stratos shape but for the connoisseurs amongst you, you will have noticed some of the shapes and colours added to the design. The original Stratos had its lines derived from a concept car three years prior, another masterclass of design from Gandini’s pen out of the Bertone design house; the Stratos Zero.

Stratos Zero concept car by Bertone - Credit: Petersen Museum

This angular, trapezoidal ultra-futuristic model of science fiction revolutionized automotive design for the next two decades. It would not take a lot of squinting to come to the conclusion that this design inspired such legendary cars as the De Tomaso Pantera, Fiat X1/9, Vector, Lamborghini Countach, Lotus Esprit and many other wedge designs of the time, it is certainly a popular conclusion. Much like early century streamliner designs, the styling chased an ultra low profile and aerodynamic philosophy, with a height of only 84 centimeters. Using triangles as the base shape, it’s easy to see the concept cars design influences in the production cars, with an original copper and silver color scheme to really stand out from the crowd. Features from this car can be seen all over the Retropower tribute, from the silver triangular engine cover to the two nose sections. Much like the concept, every detail matters.

“Nothing else gives that immediate torque … it’s completely linear”

- Cal, Retropower Director

Retropower, modern philosophy - Chassis: LBSTR16AR30MD0061

Retropower commenced the project six years ago on behalf of a client using a ListerBell Automotive chassis and body kit, considered to be one of the best Stratos homages available in terms of it’s accuracy. A delicate operation of sympathetically redesigning detailed aspects of the original Gandini design was adhered to with this particular car, while maintaining the original and much loved overall shape.

Both front and rear clamshells would originally have been fixed by slightly awkward, exterior mounted metal catches, a legacy of the ListerBell kit having been intended to pay homage to the Group 4 Stratos rally cars. While not exactly thrown together, it would be fair to say that these machines were primarily built in order to satisfy the demands of homologation, so technicalities like fit and finish were deemed but mere trifles.

Retropower decided against the standard catches and replaced them with internally mounted equivalents paired with internal alignment pins, resulting in a far smoother overall appearance, before painting the whole shell in the striking and suitably seventies shade of ‘Feu Orange’ metallic.

Step into the cabin

While power in the concept Stratos Zero was delivered from the weedy V4 from the earlier Fulvia and the original Stratos getting it’s oomph from the Ferrari Dino V6; these options were deemed inefficient. Such power sources were never going to chime with the companies approach to building cars. As a result, Retropower committed to imbuing the car with a much needed performance hike, slotting in Alfa Romeo’s infamous ‘Busso’ 24v V6. However, the power was not enough so the V6 received a supercharger; bumping the car up to 400bhp on 1 bar of boost. To get all this power to the rear wheels the Alfa Romeo V6 has been mounted to a strengthened Toyota MR2 gear box, featuring internals from the gear magicians at Quaife.

This raucous combination resulted in an effective, reliable forced induction arrangement for the Busso engine, proving to be one of the most technically demanding aspects of the whole project, not least because of the tight confines dictated by the rear clamshell design but it has been shoe-horned in beautifully. The Eaton M112-centred system utilises a charge-cooled inlet manifold of Retropowers own design to ensure intake temperatures remain within the optimum range, while enlarged radiators and oil coolers now reside in the specially created cut-outs located above the rear wheels. Both have unique 3D printed grilles and mountings.

Strap in..

..the TRS harnesses, set your parameters with the hand pad in the drivers door, grip the Momo wheel and press the start button; the Busso V6 bursts into life like you’ve just woken a bear from it’s slumber. The angry yet purposeful burble waits for you to pull yourself together and get set on the road ahead. For our photoshoot, we thought it fitting to take the car to North Wales and really understand what makes this car so special in a habitat it has been painstakingly designed for.

Now, I have been lucky enough to drive an original Stratos rally prepared car with mild aggression, call it more running late than Taken 2 and the battle between comparison and contrast is a fierce one. The raw, visceral burst from the original Stratos is fantastic, you certainly need your wits about you as you settle in and the short wheel base constantly reminds you with a rear end snap that you’re excitingly close to no control; demanding you pay attention. There is no on or off, you’re either switched on mentally or you’re off into the foliage. What’s fascinating about the Retropower Stratos is that it is also like this; but only when you want it to be. There’s no getting around the short wheel base and the whopping great supercharger that whines in your ear like the mother-in-law and equally blocks your tiny rear window but this is an overwhelming positive, not a negative. It’s not whispering in your ear it’s singing to you to go faster “go on, go for it; you’ve got way more travel left on that pedal” and you happily oblige.

The steering is sharp, precise; you can truly ‘feel’ the twists and turns and really anticipate your next move. The pedals, which have adjustable feel for personal preference; are just right as you would expect, immediate and confidence inspiring. The supercharger has been mapped in such a way as to never be out of the sweet spot and thus feels relentless as you start to press on.

When it comes to being civilised though, it can do that too. Okay, it’s not going to be a car you particularly want to show up to the annual company review in, but you can certainly take it to dinner without your ears bleeding and feeling the need to kiss the ground and thank Christ you’re still alive. It’s got an attitude, one that can be suitably masked when needed but never fully hidden and that’s a rare quality in the fun category of fast road cars nowadays. It’s equally enjoyable cruising around with the happy burble and whine behind you as every person on the side of the road quite literally stops what they’re doing and watches, taking photos.

It’s equal parts beauty and beast; you’ve just got to strap in and decide what side your choosing.

Since this car has taken much of its insane exterior design from the Zero, it’s only fitting that the interior receives the same treatment, blending the original cars style with modern technology. The Zero’s ‘chocolate bar’ seats are the first thing to benefit from the Retropower redesign, with reprofiling for a better seating position and support. The same ethos was implemented when attention was turned to the dashboard, treated to a lavish helping of Alcantara for more visibility and raising the finish of the original item. The car also boasts the mod cons you would come to expect from any modern road car including but not limited to air conditioning, bluetooth radio and electronic instruments. With the aim to draw parallels between this resto-mod and the Zero concept, a custom moulded keypad has been mounted on the drivers’ door, linked to the aforementioned freestanding 9 inch digital-dash for control over essential features and functions, fulfilling the boyhood fantasy of a true and somewhat comfortable road going rally car.

It is not often you get the opportunity to purchase what is quite literally, a one of one special edition with the added knowledge that another will not be built again; certainly to this specification. Retropower build one off, bespoke cars catering for discerning collectors that demand the very best; it is no secret their waiting list to begin the design process is multiple months with completed builds easily taking years to perfect. This particular car is ready to drive away and comes with a comprehensive Keep history and build file documenting every part of its life up to modern day. The car has not even had the registration document signed over to the current owner so you will be the first, as you should be. What this is then, is an opportunity to jump the queue, save over £40,000 over build cost and get the adventure going a whole lot sooner than planned with the first Retropower built vehicle to come to the open market.

Enquire about this car using the form below or alternatively, call us to discuss; we are happy to help.