Lancia Stratos

After a varied career in the automotive industry Graham Robson has gained a worldwide reputation as a motoring historian, and has more than 160 books to his credit. Born in 1936, and educated at Ermysteds Grammar School in Yorkshire, Graham then went on to study Engineering at Oxford University. He joined Jaguar Cars as a graduate trainee, becoming involved in design work on the Mk II, E-Type and Mark X. Beginning as a hobby, he became a rally co-driver, eventually joining the Sunbeam 'works' team in 1961, and took part in rallies up to International level (once with Roger Clark), but stopped rallying by 1968. During this time he joined Standard-Triumph in Coventry, in 1961, as a Development Engineer, mainly on sports car projects. He then ran the re-opened 'works' motorsport department from 1962 to 1965, this being the period of the birth of Spitfire Le Mans cars, TR4, Vitesse, Spitfire and 2000 rally car developments. Graham Robson’s writing began with rally reports for magazines which evolved into a job with Autocar from 1965-1969. He was recruited back to industry at Rootes to run the Product Proving department, then after a brief period in 1972 as technical director of a safety belt company, became an independent motoring writer. Graham has lived 'by the pen' and 'by the voice', not only writing but commentating, presenting and organising events of all types.

Foreword5
Introduction & acknowledgements7
Introduction7
Acknowledgements8
The car and the team9
Inspiration9
The Stratos’ importance in rallying12
The Stratos’ home ground14
Facing up to rival cars14
Manufacturing – meeting the rules16
Engineering features19
Setting the layout22
Launch and development30
Homologation, and running changes35
Building and maintaining the works cars38
Personalities and star drivers42
Competition story50
The Stratos’ career50
Homologation achieved55
Which new cars took over, and why107
The Stratos’ successor110
Chequered Flag and Stratos – a long story113
Four cars, one colour scheme115
Stratos works rally cars – World Championship rallies (and when first used)120
World/major European rally wins121
Index127