Lancia is a progressive-classic brand with over 116 years of history and legendary cars that have made automotive history in Italy and worldwide. The Rally 037, along with the Stratos and Delta, are the harsh rally vehicles that have won more than any other marque in the world, a record that has yet to be broken. These racing cars, together with stunning flagships like the Flaminia and the Aurelia, inspire future automobile designers as they tackle the problems of new electric mobility. And the "Lancia Classiche" program falls within this context, expressing the brand's commitment to preserving and promoting the originality and authenticity of its wonderful past icons.
The 47th edition of Rétromobile, Europe's oldest and most famous vintage automobile exhibition, will be held from February 1 to 5, at the evocative Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The prestigious French exhibition will have over 1,000 automobiles on display, over 600 international exhibitors, and an estimated 130,000 guests. The Lancia brand could not be left out of this stage within Stellantis Heritage, the department established in 2015 to protect and promote the historical heritage of the Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, and Abarth brands through participation in sector events and the provision of services to enthusiasts and owners of the Group's Italian brands' classic cars.
The Lancia Rally 037, commonly known as the, is a pure sports car that reflects David's notable victory over Goliath, with "functional" and angular shapes both front and back. In reality, it was the final two-wheel drive car to win the World Rally Championship in 1983, defeating powerful four-wheel drive competitors.
The Lancia Rally 037, based on the Beta Montecarlo, was not intended to be mass-produced, as the creation of the road car was simply a prelude to entering the world of rallying. Its story began in 1982 when it was introduced at the Turin Motor Show, and 200 specimens were manufactured to acquire Group B homologation. Still, only 53 of them were then set up for competitions.
His sports debut occurred in April 1982 in the Costa Smeralda Rally, and he formally competed for the 1983 season, wearing the colors of the official "Lancia Martini Racing" team, dominating the World Championship from the first race to the Montecarlo Rally, which Walter Röhrl won. Despite stiff opposition from the new four-wheel drive Audi Quattro that year, Lancia won the World Championship, the Constructors' World Championship, second place in the Drivers' World Championship with Walter Röhrl, and the European and Italian Championships.
The Lancia Rally 037, powered by a four-cylinder injection-engineered DOHC engine with a power range of 260 to 305 HP based on engine capacity (from 1995 to 2111 cc), proved to be a high-performance, light, elegant car with excellent road holding and handling. Thanks also to its unique combined structure, monocoque and tubular, "dressed" by the Pininfarina atelier, which creates an aggressive and elegant bodywork capable of imparting a large aerodynamic load to the ground. Furthermore, it was built of polyester with fiberglass reinforcements for optimal efficiency and the two very light bonnets. Finally, the competition was defined by its minimalist and rational interiors and various aerodynamic "appendages" on the pillar and tail, including an eye-catching rear spoiler.
Lancia Classiche is a heritage program combining certifications and services, similar to the Alfa Romeo Classiche program.
The 47th Rétromobile is an opportunity for Lancia to support the "Lancia Classiche" heritage program, which offers various services to preserve and promote their antique vehicles' originality and authenticity. The certification committee is chaired by the Lancia brand's CEO and the Head of the Heritage department, which houses the production registers and all technical documents needed by the commission to study the information on the automobiles under consideration.
Lancia Classiche's heritage program contains two certificates, one of origin and one of authenticity, and the Restoration Service.
"Certificate of Origin." Lancia allows you to learn about the history of each car by using the chassis number. The service includes an accurate documentation check in the Brand's production registers and issuing a certificate attesting to the year of production and the car's original configuration: model specifications, engine serial number, and original exterior and interior features.
"Certificate of Authenticity." After thoroughly examining the historic car and verifying the production data and technical specifications in the corporate archives, the Lancia brand confirms the authenticity of the 'vintage car, with the assistance of the Heritage department and prominent specialists in Lancia history. For this certification, each vehicle must undergo a thorough examination and evaluation process that certifies its authenticity, its components, and the operation of the main mechanical sections.
"Restoration Service." The same crew that looks after the historic Lancia collection is offered to private customers, with services ranging from simple maintenance to complete restoration, from diagnosis to restoration interventions, and from the repair of individual mechanical and cosmetic components to final testing.
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