For sale by auction on Saturday 24thNovember 2012 with Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey.

Inspired by Bertone's radical 1970 Turin show car for Lancia, Cesare Fiorio, Lancia's competitions manager, pushed for a rallying version of this mid-engined wedge whose driver sat reclined as if in repose. With Sandro Munari and Jean-Claude Andruet at the wheel, the Stratos was serious competition and it helped Lancia to win three rally world championships. With the 65-degree V6 engine from the Ferrari Dino just behind the passenger compartment, the Stratos was fast and muscular. The road orstradaleversion was rudimentarily trimmed and suffered from a lack of development. Loud and hard to master, they suffered from poor ventilation and driving position, were poorly made and most have now been rallied and crashed. On the other hand, they are utterly beguiling; a landmark design that showed the true potential of a mid-engined car in rallies. It is no surprise that the Stratos is an enviable role model - and Hawk made the best.

It was only going to be a question of time until the Hawk-made cars came to the attention of one J. Clarkson - with the panels completely interchangeable from the real thing and with the fabulous Alfa Romeo V6 providing more power than the original - it is unsurprising that he described them as, "Brilliant".

Whilst it is clear why people copy this iconic profile, the vendor of this example had a more involved approach in mind. Comfort was important and to this end, a full Connolly and alcantara interior was specified. Air conditioning has been fitted and electric windows now replace the standard tilting units. This is a car that can be used on a regular basis; in fact it was designed for the trip to work whilst still supplying 270bhp through the off-set peddle box when required. The wheels and tyres have had equally considered thought; the 17 inch Pirelli P Zero tyre system was used as designed for the Ferrari F40. The fronts clearing the way for the rear units to apply the "searing" acceleration. Not my words but those of 'Which Kit?' magazine 1999, whose informed content in these matters chose this car to adorn their front cover and reviewed it over five pages. Built by Chris Smith, the most noted professional builder of Hawk cars with no expense spared and using all new parts, this extraordinary example has covered just 10,000 miles, and has just had its major cam-belt service, full MoT test certificate issued and is known to the club as a well put-together car (high praise!). In short, stunning to look at, easy to use, well built and a fraction of the £200,000 you will need to buy a real one. Not how you would normally describe a Lancia Stratos, but then, this is no ordinary Stratos.

http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2012-11-24/car/lancia-stratos.aspx