“A car as unique as yours deserves a very special kind of insurance policy” Get your kit car insured with Adrian Flux – go to www.adrianflux.co.uk
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HE FUTURISTIC DESIGN AND incredible performance of the Lancia Stratos made the car an icon of seventies motorsport. Its short, squat configuration and centrally mounted engine enabled the power produced by the original Ferrari V6 to be applied to incredible effect. Dominating the world rally championships of the mid-seventies, the Stratos became the primary object of desire and fascination for all aficionados of automotive exotica. The car’s cult status and the fact that fewer than 500 originals were ever produced has meant that a wide variety of replicas have come on the market over the years. But none is as powerful and aesthetically mouthwatering as the example you see here. Engineered in Cyclone Power’s workshops in Dorset, the car is the ultimate in attention to engineering detail. Everything from the high-revving V8 engine and cooling system to the paintwork and the minutely calibrated suspension was designed in collaboration between Cyclone’s team of engineers (who cut their teeth designing indie cars) and the owner. The most significant move away from the original Stratos configuration was to orient the engine longitudinally (the Ferrari V6 was tranverse-mounted). This has given the Stratos an even better centre of gravity than that of the original, enabling the Yamaha-derived powerplant to work its face-melting magic. The owner of the replica explains his motivation: “ I wanted something that performed as well as a modern sports bike around the twisty roads of the Pyrénées, if not better. And that’s exactly what we have achieved”. X
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THE SPECS 0-60: 4.6 secs Top Speed: 150mph Body: Lightweight Kevlar carbon composite Engine: Mid Mounted 2 litre Cyclone V8 Power: 300 BHP plus Transmission: Elite TXL200 5 Speed Suspension: Double wishbone (front) and Mcpherson strut (rear) with Ohlins dampers
ADRIAN FLUX EXAMPLE QUOTE 45 years old, 3000 mpa PE30 postcode = £230
Stratosphere The only luxury touch in this stripped-down racer is a specially designed demister. Useful when climbing the peaks of performance.
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