The Most Beautiful Cars EVER (IYHO)

[hpiguy]

Make no mistake, the street going Stratos was still a shitty Lancia. The WRC teams just had enough of them to keep them going. I too love me some Stratos. And, on that note, the modern Lanci.....erm Ferrari Stratos.

2750lbs, 540HP YES PLEASE!

[durok]

Originally Posted by hpiguy

Make no mistake, the street going Stratos was still a shitty Lancia.

(Cough) whatever...

It was seriously sweet for being designed in 1971. C'mon, 190hp stock in such a light car was ridiculous. There was never any real thought put into the street version, as it was purely conceived for homologation. It took real balls to drive because of the light weight and the short wheelbase/wide-track configuration. The much wider tires used on asphalt stages sure helped a lot!

Many years ago my mom's favorite cousin (who owned a large Fiat/Alfa/Lancia dealership in Germany) took us for a long drive in the Lancia Thema 8·32 sedan, with a V8 from the Ferrari 308 upfront - driving the (gasp!) front wheels. The motor was actually assembled by Ducati from Ferrari-manufactured parts.

Crazy Italians!

That guy was the same guy who gave me the Lancia brochure that had the whole model lineup on one side and then had a huge poster of the Stratos on the other. Ever since then I've collected Stratos stuff, old magazines, books, out-of production plastic models, die-casts, and a Lexan body.

They even raced the Stratos in Group 5 - wicked looking silhouette racers:

[hpiguy]

Originally Posted by durok

(Cough) whatever...

It was seriously sweet for being designed in 1971. C'mon, 190hp stock in such a light car was ridiculous. There was never any real thought put into the street version, as it was purely conceived for homologation. It took real balls to drive because of the light weight and the short wheelbase/wide-track configuration. The much wider tires used on asphalt stages sure helped a lot!

Many years ago my mom's favorite cousin (who owned a large Fiat/Alfa/Lancia dealership in Germany) took us for a long drive in the Lancia Thema 8·32 sedan, with a V8 from the Ferrari 308 upfront - driving the (gasp!) front wheels. The motor was actually assembled by Ducati from Ferrari-manufactured parts.

Crazy Italians!

That guy was the same guy who gave me the Lancia brochure that had the whole model lineup on one side and then had a huge poster of the Stratos on the other. Ever since then I've collected Stratos stuff, old magazines, books, out-of production plastic models, die-casts, and a Lexan body.

They even raced the Stratos in Group 5 - wicked looking silhouette racers:

I already stated I loved the car. It has nothing to do with performance or specs, and everything to do with build quality and reliability. They haphazardly slapped together enough cars each year (and that's questionable) to meet homologation rules, and because of that they were just unreliable crappy street cars. If you were to buy one, take it all apart, and put it all back together at your leisure and do it right, I'm sure that could possibly change.

[durok]

Originally Posted by hpiguy

I already stated I loved the car. It has nothing to do with performance or specs, and everything to do with build quality and reliability. They haphazardly slapped together enough cars each year (and that's questionable) to meet homologation rules, and because of that they were just unreliable crappy street cars. If you were to buy one, take it all apart, and put it all back together at your leisure and do it right, I'm sure that could possibly change.

...and nearly every single "Stradale" was promptly snapped up and fettled into racing condition by privateers. Just as it should be!

(I responded with a smiley after the throat-clearing, God the fecking internet sucks for carrying on a half-way decent conversation...)

[Peaker]

I have driven a 308,,,, GTB i think it was, looked like the guy had used it to transport compost ( it was heading for auction )


At least i have been there, not all can say they driven the Italian prancing pony car.

[hpiguy]

Originally Posted by durok

...and nearly every single "Stradale" was promptly snapped up and fettled into racing condition by privateers. Just as it should be!

(I responded with a smiley after the throat-clearing, God the fecking internet sucks for carrying on a half-way decent conversation...)

Yep, true on all counts.

One of my all-time favorites.

[durok]

Originally Posted by hpiguy

Yep, true on all counts.

One of my all-time favorites.

^^^ Agreed!

There was guy that worked at my last job that had the Factory Five replicar version of that, and he did track days as well as occasionally drove it to work...

While the original vintage cars are the sh*t, I completely understand building a hi-po replica and really driving the hell out of it.

There's a great Stratos-style kit car maker called Lister Bell, well-engineered and with multiple motor options:



And there is so much love for the car that an Italian firm is still making the classic coffin-spoke wheels:



I also love the Grand Sport Corvette that Superformance has:

[4wd4ws]

G63 Manhart.

[4wd4ws]

Furrari 812 Superfast. (turn up the volume)

[4wd4ws]

Peugeot 205 (P)roto.

[4wd4ws]

Mercedes AMG GT4.

[4wd4ws]

919.

[4wd4ws]

1986 Chevrolet suburban

[Peaker]

Thats the kind of ride, where a passenger after getting out, head strait to a discrete place to change underwear.


When i was young and much more dumb i HATED anything french, the 205 rally cars changed that alright.
And me starting to collect wine.

[durok]

Speaking of French cars - one of my new faves, definitely - the new Alpine A110 - various versions pictured:

[Mike Flea]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0GE...ature=youtu.be

[durok]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0GE...ature=youtu.be

Do you really find those to be "The Most Beautiful Cars EVER (IYHO)"?

If so, OK.

[4wd4ws]

A tad condescending, Durok.

We're all car guys!

[Mike Flea]

Originally Posted by durok

Do you really find those to be "The Most Beautiful Cars EVER (IYHO)"?

If so, OK.

Yes. I would much rather purchase a truck, which can be used for something other than going fast.


I'm 61 yrs old, I don't NEED to drive a fast, expensive car to attract women, or to compensate for something I don't have.


When I was young, stupid, and inexperienced, maybe.


But now, I'm in the prime of my life, with idiot, inexperienced, distracted drivers on the road, I would rather drive a truck.

[durok]

Originally Posted by 4wd4ws

A tad condescending, Durok.

We're all car guys!

Peaker - I was reiterating that this thread was titled "Most Beautiful Cars EVER (IYHO)" - and while I've seen plenty of beautiful trucks, rolling coal on something like this (included in the video) goes a whole 'nother direction: