Stratos

[sng45]

Almost !

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-Lancia- ... Sw78xbbBRF

Always fancied one of these - but would need to have a V6 Alfa engine fitted

[23e Heure]

On the way to Le Mans Classic this year, we passed a convoy of three Stratos reps.

I have to say they looked fantastic, even if (because?) my untrained eye would not know an accurate rep from a rubbish one.

Anyway, as we drew closer and then passed them, our admiration changed to bemused confusion.

A relatively light rain had started 10 mins before, and each of the drivers appeared to already be soaked through (weirdly they were wetter than outside!) , and were weaving along at about 50mph.

We honked and thumbs upped enthusiastically anyway, but the drivers all stared resolutely ahead, ignoring us, looking thoroughly miserable behind their steamed up windows.

I’m sure these can be fantastic fun in the right environment, but that scene on the French autoroute just left me feeling sorry for them.

[smallspeed]

is it just me or are the pedals massively offset?

[stretch]

Nah, rather put the money towards one of these.

https://classicalfa.com/pages.php?pageid=62

[KS]

Nah, rather put the money towards one of these.

https://classicalfa.com/pages.php?pageid=62

Nice, but three little letters seem to be absent from the write up: IVA...

[Lightweight_911]

I had a Dino-engined Stratos replica (one of Gerry Hawkridge's 'Transformer' cars) ~ 25 yrs ago - swapped my RHD 924 Carrera GT for it.

They are very sensitive to suspension geometry - especially in the typical Grp 4 form (my car had 285/40 x 15's on the rear which were the widest roadl tyres available back then).

The track:wheelbase ratio is such that the car continually wants to be going sideways - which is fine if that's what you intended !!

I drove mine from Mid Wales to London & back a few times & I can remember one particular occasion when it was bucketing down with rain which was one of the scariest journeys I've ever had - screen misting up, poor rear vision, aquaplaning, etc ...

In the right circumstances - for short bursts on dry B roads - they can be huge fun (& the sound of the Dino V6 is sublime) but they require total concentration at all times.

Still pleased to have owned one though ...

.

[210bhp]

James hot 66 shared a nice video of the 79 Lombard RAC which I enjoyed very much this morning. The Stratos seems to perform quite well in the wet Andy. Are you sure you could drive it properly?

Regards
Mike

[hot66]

Here is some Italian rally fun with a stratos thrown in for good measure



https://youtu.be/yH3EKTi7IPg

[Lightweight_911]

The Stratos seems to perform quite well in the wet Andy. Are you sure you could drive it properly?

Regards
Mike

That was definitely a contributing factor Mike ...

.

[210bhp]

Thanks James...... great footage.

Cars are so bland these days.




I’m sure that applies to all of us Andy !
None of us are as good as we think we are.


Regards
Mike

[Sam]

If I was going to splurge thirty-something-grand on a pointy 70s Italian thing it wouldn't be a Stratos rep:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-FERRARI ... 3136307624

[210bhp]

If I was going to splurge thirty-something-grand on a pointy 70s Italian thing it wouldn't be a Stratos rep:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-FERRARI ... 3136307624

Did you used to be in car sales? Your thirty something grand is almost fifty grand to me (the buyer) ........

Regards
Mike

[Sam]

It's £39,950...

Which is, just, thirty something.

Is the Ayrshire pound particularly weak at the mo?

Or do you mean it'll cost you £10,000 in repairs by the time you've driven it home? That could well be the case.