I often think of LBs as about as close as you'd get to restomodding a Stratos. See, a restomod needs an original car as a base, and nobody in their right mind would do that sort of thing to a Stratos - there were simply too few made. E-Types and 911s, however, are just the thing, cos there were (are) loads about and re-engineering a few of those with modern underpinnings isn't gonna get anyone out of shape.

So yeah, a Hawk or an LB are firstly kits, and neither of them is a replica, which is a nut-and-bolt copy of an original. But whereas the Hawk is about trying to get as close to an original as it can, the LB eschews that and uses more modern parts, which is why I think of it as that aforementioned almost-restomod. And as Chris says, perceptions have changed - people, including those with serious car collections, are now very happy to add either car to their stable, and pay accordingly. I do think some of this is due to Lancias generally now being appreciated (at last!), and so these peeps know about the Stratos and its history, and our cars have been dragged upwards in that wake.

Chris, I too have never let affordability stop me when it comes to cars and bikes, except for the really exotic stuff like Ferraris and Lambos. Did have a 911 GT3 for a few years, and it was great, but sold it cos I knew I'd not be able to afford it if any big bills happened along. Still, 20K miles for not a lot... one service, one set of tyres, and lots of petrol and adrenaline