A limited production 'homologation special', the Lancia Stratos is historically significant as the first car from a major manufacturer conceived specifically for rallying.

The spearhead of Lancia's international rally campaign in the 1970s, the Stratos had its origins in a Fulvia-powered, mid-engined design exercise by Marcello Gandini first exhibited on Carrozzeria Bertone's stand at the 1970 Turin Motor Show.

Also the work of Gandini and Bertone, the production Stratos of 1972 retained the striking 'wedge' styling of its forbear but employed the powerful Ferrari Dino 2.4-litre V6 engine.

The latter was housed in a robust steel monocoque body tub clad in fibreglass coachwork.

Although homologation required 500 cars to be built, it’s thought that only 492 were actually produced.

Buying an original example today will cost you a very great deal of money.

Thankfully, Gerry Hawkridge has spent several decades creating something rather more affordable.

In 1984 he founded the ‘Transfo...