Video: Can a Lancia Stratos replica be better than the real thing?

5 December 2013
Feature

If there's one kit car capable of leaving us besotted, it's the Lister Bell STR, a newly developed Lancia Stratos replica that is exquisitely put together. The appearance is bang on, the attention to detail is superb...and the driving position is better than the original's.

Power comes from a 2.5-litre Alfa Romeo V6, which makes the right noises and, with about 190bhp, the right amount of shove. It steers and handles really sweetly, too. That you could put a lovely one together yourself for less than £30,000, or have a turn-key car for not much over £40,000, is more than enough to leave you examining your finances.

Thanks to Steve Hole of totalkitcar.com

Join the debate

Comments
12

289

6 December 2013
One of the most interesting video's for a long while Autocar. I am surprised that there is room for two players in this market....Gerry Hawkridges HF having been around for a while and equally seen as possessing fastidious attention to originality. I would be very interested to hear a knowledgeable review of the two side by side, to understand which is he better product.

275not599

6 December 2013
No need to be shy Steve. Tell us what you really think!

kraftwerk

6 December 2013
...Who can give me £40k?

Lover of cars

6 December 2013
I didn't have it on my bedroom wall but I've loved the Stratos since it came out. I think it was also Marcello Gandini (Muira, Countach) at Bertone. Great to see a genuine smile on Steve's face. But let me launch another dilemma. £30-40K - this Stratos or a nice current shape V8 Vantage or DB9?

Peter Cavellini

6 December 2013
Has always,always been my drool over,tear in the eye car,my Christmas present to me would be?........10 laps on a track,any track!

Peter Cavellini.

david RS

6 December 2013
A toy to from the dreams!

TBC

7 December 2013
When you think what Italian exotica costs today, and this appears to have a much usable performance as anything on the road today, outside of a track, it must be up there with the bargains of the century, especially as it will never be mistaken for anything else.

Harrymc

7 December 2013
seems like the car the Alfa 4C should have been! Manual gearbox, N/A V6, and no silly headlights! also, based on the fact you just bought an A45 AMG Steve, after calling in the "money no object" hot hatch, i think it safe to assume you can afford one of these too...so do the world a favour and buy one! it should be the duty of everyone that can! Until the supply of 166's is depleted that is.

289

7 December 2013
...you don't really believe that Autocar reporters shell out their own cash for long term test cars...do you Harrymc?

Harrymc

8 December 2013
Appologies, didnt realise it was a long term test car, i only read the article about the tire blowing and assumed it was his own car.

Pages

Add your comment

Log in or register to post comments

Find an Autocar car review

Driven this week

  • Jaguar E-Pace 2018 review hero front
    Jaguar E-Pace
    Car review
    20 April 2018
    Can Jaguar’s compact SUV bring flair and dynamic polish to a fast-growing class?
  • Audi TT RS Coupé
    Audi TT RS Coupé long-term review
    First Drive
    20 April 2018
    The Audi TT RS has the looks, a vociferous engine and the supercar-baiting performance, but is it too uncompromising to use as a daily driver?
  • Lamborghini Urus review 2018 hero front
    Lamborghini Urus 2018 review
    First Drive
    19 April 2018
    The supercar maker's new 4x4 is massively capable wherever it goes, while being extremely conspicuous and costly while it does it
  • Skoda Kodiaq
    Skoda Kodiaq long-term review
    First Drive
    19 April 2018
    High-spec seven-seater Kodiaq begins its family life with a lot to prove — for Skoda and SUVs
  • Ford Focus RS Race Red Edition front
    Ford Focus RS Race Red Edition 2018 UK review
    First Drive
    18 April 2018
    Ford drafts in some tasty extras for this limited-run Focus RS swansong edition

Latest videos