Lancia Stratos Production Stalled by Ferrari

The Stratos enthusiasts will have to wait a bit longer until getting their hands on the exquisite model. The model was expected to be produced in 40 copies for wealthy customers, but that plan has now been blocked by Ferrari.The new version of the former rally champion was build on the chassis of a Ferrari F430, and was pencilled by Pininfarina, meant to keep vivid the spirit of the original Lancia Stratos.

German backer Michael Stoschek received full cooperation during the construction process from Ferrari, with president Luca di Montezemolo even taking the wheel for a test drive.

Sadly that cooperation ended apparently in its early beginnings. Stoeschek planned to have Pininfarina designed bodies that could be mated to a donor Ferrari F430 or F360.

Pinininfarina has advised previously that they will only carry out construction of a limited run only with the permission of Ferrari. Despite Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo’s excellent feedback of the new Stratos after his test drive at Fiorano, Ferrari does not approve the construction of the planned limited series by either Pininfarina or any other Ferrari associated suppliers.

Stoshek’s group now says they will be forced to build any copies of the Stratos “only via companies that are not dependent on Ferrari.” as related by Jalopnik.com.

The most plausible reason for Ferrari it when took the decision of canceling the Stratos project might be that it doesn’t want the name “Stratos” to be tossed around by outsiders.