Lancia's Rally Trinity: Stratos HF, 037 Stradale, and Delta HF Integrale
Quick Answers
- What is the Lancia Rally Trinity? – This term is often used to refer collectively to three key Lancia rally cars: the Stratos HF, the Rally 037 Stradale, and the Delta HF Integrale, each from a different era of the sport.
- What makes these cars notable? – They are noted for their design approaches (the Stratos being purpose-built for rallying), specific technical achievements (the 037 being the last RWD car to win the WRC Manufacturer title), and competitive records (the Delta Integrale's series of titles).
- Did they all win WRC titles? – Yes. The Stratos HF secured the WRC Manufacturer title for three consecutive years (1974-1976). The Rally 037 secured the Manufacturer title in 1983. The Delta HF Integrale series secured six consecutive Manufacturer titles (1987-1992).
- Are these cars technically related? – No, they were developed independently for different regulations. The Stratos used a mid-mounted V6. The 037 used a mid-mounted supercharged four-cylinder with rear-wheel drive. The Delta used a front-mounted turbocharged four-cylinder with all-wheel drive.
- Can you buy them today? – Examples of the Stratos HF, 037 Stradale, and Delta HF Integrale road cars exist on the collector market. Availability is limited, and market values are typically high.
The Lancia Stratos HF: A Purpose-Built Rally Car
Introduced in the early 1970s, the Lancia Stratos HF represented a shift in rally car development. Unlike many competitors derived from standard production models, the Stratos was designed by Bertone with rallying as its primary function.
Its wedge-shaped body was distinctive. The car utilized a mid-mounted Ferrari Dino V6 engine layout to aid weight distribution. Combined with a short wheelbase, the design aimed for agility on rally stages. This approach proved effective, as the Stratos secured the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 1974, 1975, and 1976. The Stratos HF demonstrated the potential of designing a vehicle specifically for rally competition.
The Lancia Rally 037 Stradale: RWD in the Group B Era
Lancia developed the Rally 037 for the Group B regulations introduced in the early 1980s. This period saw the increasing use of all-wheel drive systems by competitors like Audi. Lancia's approach with the 037 differed.
Using the Lancia Beta Montecarlo as a base for homologation purposes, the 037 featured a mid-mounted, supercharged four-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels only. The design emphasized lightweight construction and chassis balance. Driven by Walter Röhrl and Markku Alén, among others, the 037 achieved competitive stage times. Lancia won the 1983 WRC Manufacturer's Championship with the 037. This remains the last time a car with rear-wheel drive won that title. The "Stradale" designation refers to the road-legal versions produced for homologation.
The Lancia Delta HF Integrale: AWD Success in Group A
After Group B regulations were discontinued, rallying moved to Group A rules from 1987, requiring cars to be more closely related to production models. Lancia adapted its Delta hatchback for this purpose, resulting in the Delta HF Integrale series.
Beginning with the Delta HF 4WD and evolving through Integrale 8V, 16V, Evoluzione I, and Evoluzione II versions, Lancia developed a competitive package. These models featured turbocharged four-cylinder engines and increasingly advanced all-wheel-drive systems. The Delta HF Integrale series achieved consistent results, securing six consecutive Manufacturer's Championships from 1987 to 1992, along with several Drivers' titles during that period. The road-going versions, particularly the Evoluzione models, became well-regarded vehicles among enthusiasts.
Shared Context: Lancia's Rally Focus
The Stratos, 037, and Delta Integrale, while technically disparate, are linked through Lancia's continuous participation and engineering focus in rallying across different regulatory periods. Each vehicle incorporated design choices intended to meet the competitive demands of its time. Their competition histories contributed to Lancia's reputation in motorsport, and the road-going variants continue to be recognized in the collector car market.
Final Verdict
The Lancia Stratos HF, Rally 037 Stradale, and Delta HF Integrale represent significant points in Lancia's rallying history. The Stratos demonstrated the effectiveness of a purpose-built design; the 037 achieved a Manufacturer's title with rear-wheel drive against emerging all-wheel-drive competitors; and the Delta Integrale series compiled a long record of championship wins under Group A regulations. These three models illustrate Lancia's adaptability and technical approaches across distinct eras of the World Rally Championship.
