Lancia 037 Rally

Lancia 037 Rally

The 1982 Lancia 037 Rally holds a unique and revered position in motorsport history as the last rear-wheel-drive car to win the World Rally Championship. In an era when Audi had demonstrated that four-wheel drive was the future of rallying, Lancia's Abarth competition department produced a car so well-optimized that it could overcome the inherent traction disadvantage of two driven wheels through superior engineering in every other area.

The 037's 1,995cc inline-four engine featured a Volumex Roots-type supercharger rather than a turbocharger. This choice was deliberate: the supercharger provided instant, linear boost without the lag that afflicted contemporary turbo engines. In Stradale specification, the engine produced approximately 205 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque, while competition versions could exceed 300 horsepower.

The car's weight was its primary advantage. At approximately 1,170 kg in road trim, the 037 was substantially lighter than the Audi Quattro, and on tarmac surfaces where the Quattro's extra traction was less critical, the lighter, more nimble Lancia could exploit its agility advantage. The mid-engine layout, with the engine mounted longitudinally behind the passenger compartment, provided excellent weight distribution.

Dallara's chassis engineering was exceptional. The tubular steel structure provided good rigidity while keeping weight low. The suspension used MacPherson struts at all four corners, with geometry optimized for both road and competition use. The braking system featured ventilated discs front and rear with competition-grade calipers.

The 037's 1983 World Rally Championship victory was achieved through strategic brilliance. The Lancia team targeted tarmac events where the 037's advantages were most pronounced, conceding the loose-surface events where the Quattro's four-wheel drive was decisive. This strategy required consistent excellence on the 037's preferred events, and the car and its drivers delivered.

The 037 is inextricably linked to the Group B era, the most dramatic and dangerous period in rally history. When Group B was banned after the 1986 season following a series of fatal accidents, the era's cars became instant legends. The 037, as the last hurrah for rear-wheel-drive rally technology, holds a special place in this pantheon.

Today, the 037 Rally is among the most valuable and sought-after rally cars. Its historical significance, dramatic appearance, and genuine competition capability combine to create a car of extraordinary collector appeal.