The Lancia Stratos and the Lancia 037 are among the greatest rally cars every designed – one was the first purpose-built rally car, the other was the last rear-drive rally car to ever win a world championship event. They are jewels in Italy's motoring crown, and these two were made in New Zealand.
This is the story of how one American college kid, Ryan Symancek, ended up discovering rally culture in New Zealand, with its gorgeous scenery, crowned roads, and lax import laws. That story is told principally in episode three of My Life As A Rallyist.
The other story is of a few men who adored Lancia's great rally cars, happened to find each other, and worked together to make near-perfect recreations of their dream cars. That story is told principally in the following episode four.
It's easy to get lost in the visuals and in personal development story. But this is such an extraordinary story of a few gearheads finding it economically impossible to buy their dream cars and making them themselves instead. The cars just so happen to be a Stratos and an 037.
Not bad choices.
Rally Legends Lancia 037 And Lancia Stratos, Handmade In New Zealand