What type and grade oil are you using ? A good multigrade should not be affected
Thanks! Blue was initially my least favorite color but I've gotten to like it a lot. Beyond the color, the more I get to know the Stratos the more I like it. My first drive was semi-disastrous - I was tired but overly enthusiastic and tried to drive it fast the way I drive other cars with different handling characteristics. I dialed things back a couple of notches, got to understand it better, learned what it likes and doesn't like and speed just came on its own. People, including me a couple of months ago, complain about the edgy, nervous handling but once you understand it, learn to anticipate it and use it, it turns into a real benefit. It's a ton fun! I have a few other fun cars but have hardly driven anything else over the last couple of months...
Locally owned HF here in Washington. It was used on the Griots Garage product catalog a few months ago. Photo credit goes Griots Garage (who also did the photo shoot for my Countach). Here is a link to the entire Stratos photoshoot: https://www.flickr.com/photos/griots/26614173146/in/photostream/ Mike Image Unavailable, Please Login
Great shoot. Thanks for posting, Mike. Care to share the Countach shoot in the Lamborhini section? I don't recall seeing it there.
Hi Chris, I think I did, but its been awhile. Anyhow, here is the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/griots/sets/72157627862143778/ Mike
Thanks! Will do. I've found that people REALLY love the Stratos and love photographing it. What's not to love - in my opinion one of the greatest purpose built cars of all time. They also happen to be quite photogenic. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I saw this picture on Driver Source's Facebook page the other day. Not sure if it's for sale yet, but it would be the first time I've seen a Stratos offered to the public for sale in the US in quite a long time. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The Drivers Source Stratos is SN 1544, which was sold at the Sept 7, 2016 RM auction in London for 308,000 Pounds (about $375k US): 1971 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale by Bertone | London 2016 | RM Sotheby's It has about 70,000 km and needs some TLC.
Thanks for the info. If you look at the exchange rate on 9/7/16 it was at 1.34 so would have been about $412 US plus any VAT, US tarriff, bonds, shipping, etc would probably put them in the car closer to high $400ks.
Gosh, don't worry; Drivers Source doesn't have that much in it. American customers (and dealers) do not pay VAT. There is no US tariff, only a 2,5% import fee. No bond is necessary as it is DOT exempt. Flying the car by air is less than $10k, which I doubt they were foolish enough to do. So shipping was likely less than $4k. I found the problem with a Stratos in America (I owned 1882 for 16 years) is that very very few people know what they are. The primary Stratos market is Europe. I applaud Drivers Source for there bravery.
Good to know - thanks for the info. So about +/- $430k. I agree the primary market is in Europe, though they seem to be gaining popularity here as well.
Yea, they may have that in it. Their problem is that historically Stratos Stradale pricing has been loosely tied to the 246 Dino GTS market which, like the rest of the Ferrari market, is currently on a downward trend. (Mike Sheehan's market articles give a reasonable overview of today's situation, as far as anyone can tell...) This is an astute buyer's market; lousy time to sell. Dealers should be wary of inventory they can not move quickly. I loved 1882, endured it's value falling and rising, and eventually had to pay Uncle Sam some annoying capital gains. Funny story: Once at Portland International Raceway, Keith Martin interviewed me over the public loudspeaker before I got out onto the track about the car. But before he started the interview, he turned the mic off and asked me if it was a kit car? I never have and never will subscribe to "Sports Car Market".
Polish owned Stratos in Rally of Poland in 1976. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I hope to not turn this into another market thread as there are plenty of those in other sections already. Hopefully others are enjoying the pictures posted here. I posted the DS Stratos because they are difficult to come by in the US and someone may have interest. That said, cars that were once tied to other cars values can often break that trend as different cars are recognized for different things as times goes on. Thanks for sharing your story about 1882. They are special cars that not everyone knows so well. I hope Keith was joking!