Evaluation: Italian market car. Placed in storage from 1984 to 2017. Old, possibly original paint. Numerous flaws including a large crack on the right front flare and chip near the passenger’s door. A couple of dings in the wheels. Clean seats and carpets but faded dash and lightly worn steering wheel. Recently got a gearbox rebuilt and engine-out service. Badass car in driver condition, which is exactly what you’re supposed to do with it.
Bottom Line: The Stratos was the first car designed from scratch with international rallying in mind, and was homologated for the 1974 season. It won the World Rally Championship that season, and in ’75 and ’76 for good measure. Fewer than 500 cars were built and they’re quite uncommon on our side of the Atlantic. The bidders rewarded this one for its impressive preservation, affording it the kind of price ordinarily preserved for well-restored examples.
