A lot of very nice cars are out of production now, with their original manufacturers refusing or constrained to produce their modern-day equivalents. Such a case is the iconic Lancia Stratos, the mid-engine quasi-supercar from the 70s which was powered by a V6 sourced from the Dino Ferrari. To enthusiasts everywhere, the name Lancia does not need an introduction, and many have lamented the lack of a successor to the original Stratos, until a few years ago, when a businessman bought the rights to a design from a Lancia enthusiast and constructed a working car based on a Ferrari 430 Scuderia.
Before you turn your nose down at this seemingly amateur attempt, know that the businessman is a major supplier to German car manufacturers and the design house he contacted to do the conversion is Pininfarina, which has been Ferrari's designer for a long, long time. The F430's aluminum chassis was shortened but a rollcage was added. The entire body is done in carbon fiber and despite the additional rollcage, 176 pounds were shaved off the original car's weight. As befits Pininfarina, the car's fit and finish looks like it came from a production line. The interior doesn't show its Ferrari roots, and it is all very sportscar-like. There are cutouts for helmets in the door trim and even the battery is a lightweight lithium ion unit housed in a carbon fiber box.
The Ferrari's dynamic shocks have been retuned to the lighter weight but the carbon-ceramic brakes have been retained. What has been replaced is Ferrari's E-diff for a mechanical and lightweight Drexler unit. The exhaust has also been retuned, to the benefit of the engine, which now produces 533 horsepower. With only 2900 pounds to propel, response is race-carlike. As a comparison, the power to weight ratio is now 5.4 lbs/hp compared to the original F430's 6.1 pounds per horsepower.
Performance calculations predict a 3.1 second 0-60 mph time and the quarter mile in around 11.3 seconds. Even Ferrari's chairman was very impressed with the resulting lightweight car and plans were made to produce a limited run of 25 units at $600,000 each. However, Ferrari subsequently banned Pininfarina from having anything to do with the car and the design house had to accede to the wishes of its longtime partner. So for now, there is no chance yet for a new generation Stratos, but at least, the world has seen what modern design and technology can produce. Top Gear on the original Stratos
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