By now, the story of the Lancia 037 is a familiar one: Lancia set out to follow up the FIA Group 5 World Rally Championship success of their Stratos with the 037 in the newly-minted FIA Group B World Rally Championship. Series regulations required the manufacture of 200 road-going examples in order to compete, and thus, the Lancia 037 Stradale was born.

The mid-section of the cars was borrowed from the Lancia Montecarlo/Scorpion, while steel tube structures replaced the front and rear of the donor cars. Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass made up the new front and rear body work, which was designed by Pininfarina. The mid-engine layout was retained, but with the engine and transmission rotating 90 degrees into a longitudinal layout. Abarth breathed on the powertrain, while none other than Dallara provided the necessary suspension design and tuning.

Year: 1984
Model:  Lancia
Engine: 2.0L supercharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  3,234km
Price: Auction, €350.000 - €400.000 estimate
Location: Essen, Germany

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 Lancia 037 Stradale

Chassis No. ZLA151AR000000022

As exciting as the history of these cars is, we wonder if there isn't a way to coax more power from the twin cam Fiat engine. Nothing irreversible, but something more nonetheless. Aside from the relatively - and with a curb weight of 2,579lb, we do mean relatively - low power output of 205hp, we wouldn't change anything about one of these Stradales.

Homologation specials are, it now seems, strictly the domain of wealthy collectors. If that describes you, then this example may be a wise purchase. For the rest of use, well, a nice Montecarlo with a hot 2 liter might come close.

-Graham