Why the Stratos?

[john]

Was there ever a time when Corse roof hoops achieved a consistent good position?!
But to answer the question, undeniably the 1974 RAC, while out in Clocaenog awaiting my boss Tim's appearance in a Mazda RX3 coupe, I was totally blown away by Munaris Marlborough car.
As a 19 year old I was not aware of the Stratos and in a field of ancient looking Saabs, Escort Mk1's and even stuff like Hillman Avengers, then the Stratos looked like something from the future. My future I hoped!
I didn't realize it would take another forty years to get there.....

[Stradale493]

By the time I started watching rallying (late 80's), the Lancia was the Delta (S4 then Integrale). I was planning to build a kit-car as soon as I got my own house in the early 90's and the Red Stradale on the front of the Hawk brochure was my favourite. I only found out it was a rally car once I'd got hooked and drawn in by on the road car.

[ProtoTipo]

But to answer the question, undeniably the 1974 RAC, while out in Clocaenog awaiting my boss Tim's appearance in a Mazda RX3 coupe, I was totally blown away by Munaris Marlborough car.

Almost the same for me.
I was walking into the first stage of the 1974 RAC, and Munari drove past on his way to the arrival control at Bramham Park. Forever etched on my brain was this low thing with 2 big round lamps on the back. You don't forget things like that when you're 12 years old!
As you say John, there was no build up to it, nobody seem to know it was coming. We were lucky enough to see the Colibri Mk1 Escorts being readied for the start in the basement car park of the Viking Hotel in York the night before. The cutting edge of what Ford had to offer, which suddenly looked old the next day.

Having said that, the big thing was the announcement of two different replica Lancia Stratos kits in the January 1987 issue of Cars and Car Conversions.

[Paul]

Was there ever a time when Corse roof hoops achieved a consistent good position?!

Yes indeed John - brings back memories. Luckily we managed to get mine remade and improved on the 2nd attempt!

[john]

Yes Paul. Roof hoop and a few other aspects!
Was your Stratos moment Billy Coleman?

[NoCorseChris]

Watching the WRC on telly as a lad. Then a bit later seeing some original cars at an LMC gathering and a rather sad looking replica that was relegated to the carpark as it wasn't 'real'. Plus various reminders from time to time in kit car mags.

Funny enough, having been in touch with Lydia & Craig recently it struck me that my Stratos moment was mis-timed. I'm sure that if I was building now, it would be an LB STR and I'd not be selling it 6 years after a 5 year build followed by a 5 year and 11 month development process! Hey ho.