Highlights
- One-of-one high end build by Retropower of Hinckley
- Built over six years as a homage to the Stratos Zero in Rosso Arancio
- Highly detailed car with some clever modifications and luxury interior
- Supercharged Alfa Romeo 'Busso' 24-valve V6 producing 400bhp
- Based on a modified ListerBell Automotive chassis and body kit
- Comprehensive photo-documented build file covering the multi-year build process
- Only 300 miles since completion with single keeper
The Appeal
The Rosso Arancio paintwork of this rather magnificent Stratos replica is a clever choice by its highly regarded builder, Retropower. The colour directly links to Gandini’s breathtaking Stratos Zero concept and, in turn, to the birth of the road and rally cars. It was chosen to grab the attention of Lancia’s top executives when the Zero was unveiled at the 1970 Turin Motor Show and, in turn, encourage them to support a new rally programme. It did, and the rest is history.
All of which is a roundabout way of saying that this one-off bespoke-built Stratos evocation is seriously special, but then it was created by blue-chip specialist Retropower, so that is perhaps hardly surprising. The aim was to build a car that bridged the gap between the Zero and the Stratos, hence the paintwork. The base kit is from well-regarded ListerBell Automotive, but Retropower has added upgrades. Other clever nods to the Zero include contrasting front and rear vent trims.
Inside, the attention to detail continues with a luxurious leather and Alcantara cabin with modern touches like a digital screen with various interactive menus. Beneath the rear clamshell, which Retropower modified to provide cleaner shut lines and improve usability, lies Alfa Romeo’s ‘violin of Arese,’ Giuseppe Busso’s sonorous V6, here in 24V 3.2L form. Here, again, Retropower has taken things a considerable step further than other ‘regular’ Stratos reps by adding an Eaton M112 supercharger, running through its own bespoke inlet manifold, to deliver a heady 400bhp. To handle the power, it uses a strengthened Toyota MR2 five-speed gearbox with Quaife internals. The specification includes a larger radiator and oil cooler, fitted with bespoke 3D printed grilles. The work is documented in a large, well-organised folder.
Commissioning this car from Retropower would mean navigating the firm’s very long waiting list, then waiting the six years this car took to complete. With just 300 miles recorded here is a chance to experience a virtually unused, effectively brand new evocation. One for the serious collectors.
History and Paperwork
- UK-market, right-hand drive vehicle
- Registered as a Retropower with DVLA
- First registered November 2022
- Single registered keeper
- 300 miles recorded
- Built over a six-year period by Retropower of Hinckley
- Based on a ListerBell Automotive (now LB Specialist Cars) chassis and body kit
- Chassis number LBSTR16AR30MD0061
- Comprehensive photo-documented build file covering the build process
- V5C present
- Retropower ring-bound handbook as shown
The Condition
- Bodywork finished in ‘Feu Orange’ metallic similar to Stratos Zero Rosso Arancio
- Front/rear clamshells modified with internally-mounted catches and alignment pins
- Clamshell catches altered to provide better usability and smoother appearance
- Five spoke alloys similar to Stratos Campagnolo ‘coffin spoke’ design
- Quality Michelin tyres fitted with very few miles covered
- Underside as shown
- Black leather and Alcantara interior with orange stitching
- Digital dashboard with various menus described in photos
- Seats fitted with TRS harnesses
- Momo steering wheel
- The vendor describes the car as ready to drive away
Just 492 factory Stratos may have been built, so seeing one isn’t common, and yet the shape will be very familiar to enthusiasts. Even so, this Retropower car still manages to magnetically draw the eye, perhaps because that Rosso Arancio paintwork is having the same effect now as it did on those Lancia executives back in 1970.
This car demonstrates why Retropower is the go-to for UK retromods. It is a beautifully detailed car, inside and out. The firm modified the ListerBell kit to improve the operation of the clamshell catches and move the hinges inside, creating a more usable and aesthetically pleasing finish. We also like the luxury Alcantara cabin, which is as well built and specified as any low-volume supercar, and the pretty ‘coffin spoke’ alloys that replicate the Stratos originals.
The Mechanics
- 3,179cc 400bhp Alfa Romeo 'Busso' 24-valve V6
- Fitted wth Eaton M112 supercharger, producing 400bhp on one bar of boost
- Strengthened 5spd Toyota MR2 gearbox with Quaife internals
- Mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout
- Charge-cooled inlet manifold of Retropower's own design
- Enlarged radiators and oil coolers in bespoke cut-outs above the rear wheels
- Inlets feature 3D-printed grilles and mountings
- Built on a ListerBell Automotive chassis
- 300 miles since completion
Lancia’s Group 4 Stratos rally cars were good for between 280bhp and 320bhp from their 2.4L Dino V6s. It’s fair to say that in a straight line, this Retropower one-off would leave them for dead. That’s thanks to its 3.2L 24V Alfa ‘Busso’, equipped with an Eaton M112 supercharger that puts 400bhp through the rear wheels via a bespoke Retropower-designed inlet manifold. To harness that power, the car has a strengthened Toyota MR2 5spd gearbox with Quaife internals.
With all that bespoke engineering under the rear clamshell, it’s easy to see why this car took six years to finish. Since it was first registered to its current single keeper in November 2022, it has covered just 300 miles.
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