Lancia’s star may have slowly begun to fade, but the Italian marque maintains a long and rich history of innovation and resourcefulness.

It produced some of the most beautiful cars ever made, as well as some of the most technologically extreme.

Much like its compatriots at Maranello, the company seemed to be fuelled by passion.

Its record as the most successful manufacturer in World Rally Championship history speaks for itself, despite having not entered a factory team since the end of 1993.

Without doubt, the most extreme Lancia ever produced was the Delta S4.

Lancia’s rally success began with the diminutive Fulvia, before the arrival of the incredible purpose-built Stratos.

After Fiat Group’s takeover, the Stratos became increasingly politically sensitive as it was a homologation special that looked more like a Miura than any of Lancia’s products, and in the process of asserting its dominance it killed off the Beta Coupé’s career.

For rallying, the Abarth workshop’s Works supp...