Italian automaker Lancia has a long history of motorsports success in rallying. Beginning with the Fulvia’s racing debut and carrying through to the Delta HF and its various submodels Lancia has built some of the most dominant and innovative rally cars ever seen. During the Golden Age of rallying from 1970-1990, Lancia would prove to be the most successful automaker in rally history.
Lancia’s first rally entry was the Fulvia coupe. It was produced from 1963-1976 as a four-door, two-door coupe, or two-door fastback. The Fulvia was front-wheel drive and powered by an unusual narrow-angle V4 engine. The 12-degree angle of the V4 allowed for the motor to use a single cylinder head for both banks of pistons rather than the two heads that are traditionally used.
The Fulvia produced anywhere from 57-130 hp depending on which version of the V4 a model was equipped with. The Fulvia marked Lancia’s first return to racing after withdrawing from Formula One in 1955. The Fulvia placed 8th overall in its debut at the 1965 Tour de Corse. From there the car would go on to win the Italian Rally Championship from 1965-1969 and again from 1971-1973.
Lancia’s second rally car was the now legendary Stratos. The Stratos was the result of a collaboration between Lancia and Italian designer Bertone that was inspired by supersonic planes and pre-existing concept cars of the era. It is also the first car to be designed specifically for allying. The Stratos Zero concept car was designed by Bertone employee Marcello Gandini. The concept car featured a rear-mounted Fulvia motor making approximately 113hp. The car was so low that when Bertone went to show it to Lancia he drove it underneath the barrier at the entrance to the factory.
In 1971 the Stratos HF prototype debuted and the Turin Motorshow. This concept car featured a mid-mounted, naturally aspirated, Ferrari Dino V6 producing about 190hp in road-going trim. The Stratos HF was rear-wheel drive with a 5-speed manual transmission. By 1972 Lancia claimed 240hp was being produced from the Dino engine, in reality, the motor made nearly 300 wheel horsepower. The Straos’s front rear hoods were given a reverse clamshell design, opening outwards from the body to improve access for mechanics to the car.
In April of 1973, the Stratos claimed its first victory at the Firestone Rally, followed by win at the Tour de France Auto in September. The Stratos went on to win the 1974, 75, and 75 WRC Constructors Championships. The Stratos was retired from racing by Lancia after winning the 1981 Tour de Corse rally. The Stratos would go on to become one of the most famous rally cars of all time, appearing on the BBC motoring show top gear in kit car form, where it recorded the then slowest lap around the famous Top Gear test track. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson went to review the Ferrari 430 based “New Stratos”.
Lancia’s second purpose built rally was the 037 Rally. The 037 was named for its project code. The 037 was developed as a brand new model specifically for the FIA’s new Group B using Lancia’s Montecarlo model as a basis. In reality only the central tub of the MonteCarlo remained the same on the 037, with the front and rear ends receiving a new custom tube frame to allow for the fitment of all new suspension. The 037 was developed by Lancia with help from Abarth and Pininfarina. The 037 featured a 265hp supercharged 2-liter Fiat Group motor and 5-speed ZF transmission. The 037 featured a kevlar composite body. The 037 was one of very few rear-wheel drive rally cars to do well in Group B, even contending with the new all-wheel drive Audi Quattro.
The 037’s most notable accomplishment was winning the 1983 WRC Constructors Championship.
Lancia’s second Group B designed car was the Delta S4 introduced in 1985. The Delta S4 was designed as a silhouette racer, sharing only its body shape with a front engined production car. The Delta S4 used an all new spaceframe chassis with a carbon fiber composite body and Kevlar doors with fixed windows to save weight. The front and rear of the body were made removable to improve mechanic access and allow for easy repairs in the event of a crash. The Delta S4 a 1.8-liter twin-charged inline four engine producing 493hp. The Delta S4 was the first twin-charged car ever produced, using a supercharger for low-mid range power with a turbocharger taking over for top range power and efficiency.
The Delta S4 used an all-wheel drive system and 5-speed transmission developed for Lancia by Hewland. The Hewland AWD system allowed for a 60-75% rear torque split. The Delta S4 made its debut at the 1985 RAC rally where it took first place. It would also go on to win the Rallye Monte Carlo, Rally Argentina, and the San Remo rally in 1986. A 1986 crash of a Delta S4 killed both the driver and co-driver and directly led to end of Group B racing.
Lancia’s final rally car was the Delta HF. The Delta HF was built for the FIA’s new Group A rally class and was built for the Martini Lancia team by the Lancia factory.
The Delta HF was heavily based on the Delta road car using a front engine four-wheel drive layout. The Delta HF would spawn several improved submodels; the HF Integrale, HF Integrale Evolution, and the HF Integrale Evolution 2. The delta HF and its various submodels proved to be one of Lancia’s most successful cars bringing home 46 WRC victories overall between 1987 and 1991 when Lancia finally withdrew from rallying. The Delta HF also won a record breaking six consecutive WRC Constructors Championships from 1987-1992.
The Delta HF also won four Drivers Championships in 1987,’88,’89, and 1991.
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