Italian Rally Legend
Lancia, which was a subsidiary of Fiat in 1980, wanted to return to rallying for the 1982 season. The new sports car was developed in collaboration between the Pininfarina design studio, the tuning specialist Abarth and the Lancia brand. The project, which was soon designated Abarth code 037, got underway in May 1980.
As was usual practice in the scene, the Lancia rally car shared only a few similarities with the production model. Whilst the public may have been under the impression that Lancia was immediately aiming for the world championship title, the internal policy was that the 1982 season was to be viewed as a test phase, with a realistic chance of securing top spot in the World Championship standings from 1983 onwards. The mid-engined car, with its engine boosted by a Roots blower, delivered up to 310 PS and made its competitive debut at the Rallye Costa Smeralda, albeit with the sobering result that both works cars were forced to retire early due to gearbox failure. However, the right direction for development became apparent when the team secured its first victory at the Pace Rally. Lancia’s calculations proved correct for 1983, as although the team did not win the drivers’ title, it did clinch the Constructors’ World Champion-ship. This was down to the final standings of the World Championship, in which works driver Walter Röhrl finished second and Markku Alén third. Often cited as a mile-stone, the 037 was the last rally car that year to win this title as a non-four-wheel-drive sports car.
