Lancia’s homologation heroes head to Essen sale

By Lizzie Pope

| 27 Feb 2019

Classic & Sports Car – Lancia's homologation heroes head to Essen sale

Stars of many a bedroom wall are set to go under the hammer as a trio of road-legal Lancia rally cars have been consigned to the inaugural RM Sotheby’s Essen auction.

And predicted to lead the way is a 1985 Delta S4 Stradale: one of only 200 produced, it has a hefty €450-€550,000 (£385-470,000) guide price.

The time-capsule Group B homologation special will cross the block during the two-day sale at April’s Techno-Classic Essen in Germany – and it’s just one of several eye-catching, rally-inspired Lancias gracing the catalogue.

With a spaceframe chassis, a three-diff four-wheel-drive system and a 1.8-litre ‘four’ that’s both supercharged and turbocharged, the Lancia Delta S4 Stradale shares much with its stage-ready siblings.

And this surviving special seems to be in exceptional condition. In its 35 years it has done just 2196km – that’s a mere 1365 miles – since it was delivered new to Italy. It has since lived in France and Germany, before returning to Italy where it was serviced last summer.

Red with a tan-coloured Alcantara interior, it’ll be sold with its original books, documents and toolkit, and truly looks to be as good as new.

The Delta S4’s predecessor was, of course, the 037, a roadgoing version of which is also for sale at RM Sotheby’s Essen auction.

It’s a 1982 Lancia 037 Rally Stradale and it's another seriously low-mile lovely.

As with the Delta S4, Group B regulations stated that at least 200 road-legal 037s be produced and it’s thought that 207 rolled off the production line.

This one, chassis number ZLA151AR000000022, remained with the same owner from new until 2005, its current and third owner purchasing it in 2015.

In apparently excellent condition and with only 3500km on its odometer, it’s heading to auction with a €350-400,000 (£299-342,000) pre-sale estimate.

Last, but by no means least in this terrific trio is this eye-catching offering: a 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale.

The Stratos preceded the 037 and took three World Rally Championship manufacturers’ victories, two more than its successor – although the Delta eclipsed both with six straight constructors’ titles from 1987.

Chassis number 829AR0 001832, one of 492 built, was also sold new to a member of the Bignardi family in Sicily, where it stayed for three decades.

It’s being sold by just its third owner in original, unrestored condition and it is anticipated it will find its fourth custodian for somewhere in the region of €480-520,000 (£410-444,000).

And to complete the Lancia rally story, these three will be joined in Germany by a pair of Fulvias, a 1974 example (€20-30,000/£17-26,000) and a 1970 Fulvia Rallye 1.6 HF ‘Fanalone’ (€60-70,000/£51-60,000).

RM Sotheby’s sale is being held at Messe Essen on 11-12 April – see the full lot list here.

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