This 1984 Lancia 037 Stradale is one of 207 built by Abarth to homologate the Group rally car of the same name, shape, and general layout. Its 1982 debut season was marred by DNFs and other problems, but the following year Lancia clinched the WRC Constructor’s title with Walther Rohrl and Markku Alen at the wheel of further developed 037’s—very impressive for a RWD car in the burgeoning age of AWD dominance. These rarely come up for sale, and quickly disappear back into private collections when they do. Find this example here at Auto Class in Capriolo, Italy with a cross-listing here on Kijiji.it showing 200k euros (~$269,480 today).

The double bubble roof is one clue to the car’s deep Abarth heritage. As part of the Lancia-Fiat empire, Abarth collaborated with Pininfarina and Dallara to style, engineer, and build the 037 with Lancia’s input limited to funding and general concept guidance. Clothed in fiberglass reinforced kevlar, this one (like all of them) looks great in red over 10 hole Speedlines. Scorpion/Montecarlo DNA is evident in the distinct greenhouseshape, though underneath it’s completely bespoke with a central tub and tubular steel subframes for and aft.

Inside the small cabin things look clean and well-preserved as should be expected of a 30 year old car with 13,000 kilometers on the clock. Typical of race bred homologation specials, the interior is much less dramatic than the exterior, with a flat, all-business dash scattered with toggles and dials. The CB handset is interesting and might even be a factory option given the rally connection. Unremarkable corduroy seats with mild bolstering provide a stark contrast with the carbon fiber Sci-Fi affairs fitted to today’s limited production exotics. A padded roll cage is a well-integrated but constant reminder of the race car beneath the carpet.

Though down on the ultimate Evolution 2 race model’s 325 HP by 120, short gearing and a 2,600 pound curb weight enabled the supercharged, Abarth-built twin cam two liter four to catapult the little wedge to 60 in under six seconds. This one looks very clean under the rear clamshell, which when open offers a lovely view of the intricate differential casting. As demonstrated by this gratuitous Group B footage, they sound pretty fantastic. Also seen in the video is the utter madness that was rallying’s all-time most dangerous class.

Perhaps more than any other single manufacturer, Lancia’s back catalog is rich with important rally milestones, from the most successful WRC car of all-time (Integrale), to arguably the most insane (Delta S4). As the last rear-driven, purpose-built rally machine the 037 stands shoulder to shoulder with its legendary cousins. To own a tangible slice of that history is a dream easilyworth the quarter of a million dollar price tag.