Now this whole magazine is named after the greatest racing series ever known to man. So amazing it had to be banned because it was too incredible to even comprehend, and the fact that numerous spectators and drivers died, but we don’t talk about that.

And it’s therefore shocking that we’ve got this far and haven’t spoken about one of the greatest Group B rally cars to ever grace this earth. The Lancia 037.

Between 1982 and 1984, the Lancia 037 achieved 6 World Rally Championship victories, securing the 1983 Constructor’s Championship, beating out Audi’s 4 wheel drive Quattro. But it was and always will be known as the last ever rear wheel drive car to ever win the WRC.

Surprisingly, it was Abarth who did most of the heavy lifting when it came to the design of the 037. Abarth became part of the Lancia-Fiat family in the 1970s, deciding to incorporate their own stylish notes from some of their famous race cars from the 50s and 60s, notably the double bubble roof line which can be found on the 037.

What also made the Lancia 037 stand out was the fact that they opted to use an Abarth-developed volumex supercharger, over turbochargers that their competitors decided to use. These volumex superchargers could provide instant torque, avoiding any turbo-lag associated with turbochargers, giving them that edge which they needed.

But they didn’t just rely on mechanical advantages to secure their title in 1983. At the Rallye Monte-Carlo in 1983, team manager Cesare Fiorio allegedly ordered his team to sprinkle some salt on icy patches of the stage after the Quattro had completed its stint. This allowed some of the ice to melt, giving their rear-wheel drive the grip it needed to beat their German opponents.

But even without this sneaky salt trick, the car was the perfect rally car. It had fibreglass and kevlar body panels to cut down on weight, a double wishbone suspension for improved handling, and it was designed so that replacing the gearbox would only take 12 minutes. Perfect for any rally car which needed servicing.

But it wasn’t all for performance. When they finally released a road-going Lancia 037 Stradale, it was famous amongst collectors for having brown corduroy seats with red piping. Which wasn’t very ‘rally-esque’ of Lancia.

Top speed	140 mph
0-60	5.8 seconds
How many units were sold?	207
Cost when new	$35,000
How did Audi feel about losing the 1983 Group B WRC?	a bit salty

The Lancia 037 is therefore our car of the week, as I saw someone the other day with an absurdly big head, so big I feared for his mother, but also wondered how he got into cars. This all led me to the Lancia 037 and its double bubble roof, designed so there would be enough space for drivers with helmets in this low rider.

“Lancia 037” taken by Daniel Boland

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