This Lancia 037 Stradale

The car offered here, chassis 033 is a very early example of the famed Lancia 037, built in 1982 and sold new to Establissements Chardonnet, the French Lancia importer. The car was first registered in France in November 1982 with the license ‘9641 HH 93’, a copy of the original French title is contained within this car’s impressive history file.

André Chardonnet was one of the largest importers of foreign cars to France, also importing AC, Bristol and Autobianchi amongst other brands before being awarded the Lancia contract, starting in 1974. Chardonnet also loved competition and with his Ecurie Chardonnet team, claimed victory at the 1979 Monte-Carlo Rally, along with two additional WRC events, two French Rally Championships and two European Rally Championships.

For the 1983 and 1984 season, Ecurie Chardonnet compete across Europe with a Lancia 037 EVO 1 Group B (chassis 313), with Frenchman, Jean-Claude Andruet, behind the wheel, and Pioneer as title sponsor. During these two seasons, it is understood that the car we are offering here, chassis 033, was used by Ecurie Chardonnet and Jean-Claude Andruet as a reconnaissance and reserve car. It is likely that Andruet used the car in preparation for the rally events, checking pace notes and the route in advance. The car is also photographed and featured next to another 037 owned by the Chardonnet team in the Dossier Auto Lancia Rally, published by E.P.A.

As a result of being owned by the French Lancia importer, this car was also prominently used as a publicity and demonstration car for the French media. The car can be seen in the September 1983 issue of ‘Le Fanauto’ where it is featured on the cover, with a full review feature inside. Then, in April 1984, the car is featured in ‘Sport Auto’, where it is again on the cover, and tested alongside a Peugeot 205 T16 and Audi Quattro. Copies of both period magazine reviews are included in the history file.

In May 1985, this car was bought by its first private owner, Mr Jean Boussignac, a resident in Aurillac, at which time it was noted as having covered 17,900 kms. A copy of the invoice is included in the cars history file, along with a copy of the new title with registration ‘332 GN 15’. Also within the cars impressive history file, there is = a selection of great photographs from a Lancia meeting in France, with Mr Boussignac and 0033 clearly taking centre stage! In 1995, Mr Boussignac changed address and the car was assigned French registration ‘4664 RH 19’.

Throughout his ownership, Mr Boussignac meticulously maintained, and recorded, the maintenance of this 037. There are regular service invoices and French technical inspection reports confirming the mileage as steadily increasing over time before he chose to sell the car in February 2013, by which time it had covered 38,200 kms.

The second, and current, private owner bought the car from Mr Boussignac through auction in Paris, again maintaining it regardless of cost with various invoices documenting the mileage and maintenance. With this change of ownership, the French registration was changed to ‘CT 964 QS’. In September 2015, the current owner sent the car to Terzi Gabriele in Italy, possibly the first time this 037 had left France, for some maintenance works. These works included removing the engine and gearbox, full engine service, new con-rods, new oil pump, new water pump, new valve seats, new brake pads, steering box overhaul and new engine mounts. Invoice and pictures of these works are documented in the history file.

In 2018, Girardo & Co. sold the car to another Frenchman who regularly used the car, even joining the 2018 Tour Auto and 2019 Journees d’Eutomne. In early 2020 this car was delivered to Carrosserie Martin in Damery, France for a complete body respray in the original and iconic Rosso.

In reflection, this 037 is a fabulous, well-documented, low-mileage example of the final rear-wheel drive Group B rally car, playing a key role in making Lancia the most successful World Rally Manufacturer in history. This Lancia Rally, being originally owned by the French Lancia importers, used as a press car prominently in period, with only three private French owners from new, really is a unique opportunity.

Price Upon Application