Italy has produced a fantastic range of rally cars, beginning with the Lancia Fulvia in 1966, and ending with their ultra-successful Group A Delta in 1993. Then they were gone. Lancia aside, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Fiat have also been the source of some of the more exotic cars to grace the WRC stages. Here is a gallery of our favorites through the years.
Lancia Stratos – Sandro Munari, 1975 RAC Rally
A stunning concept-car styling and a V6 engine from Ferrari’s 246, the Lancia Stratos was a gorgeous looking and sounding car
Lancia Fulvia – Amilcare Ballestrieri, 1968 Acropolis Rally
The car that started the Lancia legacy in rallying.
Fiat 131 Abarth – Attilio Bettega, Rally Sanremo 1979
Often labelled the Italian Escort, this rear-wheel-drive saloon won three WRC Manufacturers’ titles and a Driver’s title for Walter Röhrl in 1980.
Ferrari 308 GTB – Alberto Liviero, 1978 Elba Rally
Ferrari is hardly a name synonymous with rallying, but the privately built 308 GTB was a welcome slice of exotica on asphalt events.
Lancia Beta Coupe – Mauro Pregliasco, Rally Sanremo 1975
Somewhat of an oddity, this front-wheel-drive Lancia was an attempt to appease disgruntled marketing folk within the Fiat family. They were unhappy that the car doing all the winning, Lancia’s Stratos, did not resemble any road car for sale.
Fiat Abarth 124 Rallye – Fulvio Bacchelli, 1974 Tour de Corse
This cute Italian sports car became even more attractive when rallied in the red and gold colours of Fiat’s works cars.
Lancia Rally 037 – Attilio Bettega, Rally Sanremo 1984
Another pure-prototype from Lancia, the 037 was one of the greatest two-wheel-drive rally cars of all time.
Alfa Romeo GTV 6 – Yves Loubet, 1985 Tour de Corse
A fantastic road car, Alfa Romeo’s V6-engined coupé was some completely different when it graced the WRC stages.
Lancia Delta HF Integrale – Andrea Aghini, Rally Sanremo 1992
King of the Group A cars, the Integrale ‘Homologation specials’ became true road car icons.
Lancia Delta S4 – Fabrizio Tabaton, Rally Sanremo 1986
An absolute beast of the Group B era. People flocked to the stages to see these cars
