Inspired by Bertone's radical 1970 Turin show car for Lancia, Cesare Fiorio, Lancia's competitions manager, pushed for a rallying version of this mid-engined wedge whose driver sat reclined as if in repose.

With Sandro Munari and Jean-Claude Andruet at the wheel, the Stratos was serious competition and it helped Lancia to win three rally world championships.

With the 65-degree V6 engine from the Ferrari Dino just behind the passenger compartment, the Stratos was fast and muscular.

The road orstradaleversion was rudimentarily trimmed and suffered from a lack of development.

Loud and hard to master, they suffered from poor ventilation and driving position, were poorly made and most have now been rallied and crashed.

On the other hand, they are utterly beguiling; a landmark design that showed the true potential of a mid-engined car in rallies.

It is no surprise that the Stratos is an enviable role model - and Hawk made the best.

It was only going to be a question of time until the ...