stratos replica...

I will make no other comment than this: See what happened to other resurrected cars the Mini for instance...

 

Untrue? The Hawk cars run a fair few Lancia bits. The mid engine, either 2ltr Lancia right through to the actual Dino motor.

Statements cut and shut from various sources:

It is hard to tell the difference between a Hawk chassis and an original Stratos (excepting that the original had a steel tub with pressed steel 'subframes' front and rear and the Hawk has a tube and folded section chassis with fiberglass shell.

The Hawk replicates the suspension geometry exactly, the chassis is stiffer and lighter than the original.

The way in which the fiberglass panels are 'finished' In the spirit of originality, the Hawk panels have no return edges on them and are quite light

The fuel tank position is accurately replicated with the Hawks.

Generally speaking the Hawk cars are respected as an accurate replica. With close handling and power characteristics to the original car.

The Hawk aimed for visual exactitude and a basis for achieving original handling characteristics.

Precisely what I was talking about. The replicas if done right, like the Hawk cars are accurate and still have some of the authenticity of the original Stratos through the use of some (NOT ALL) genuine or closely replicated parts (such as the suspension).

As you can see above, there are actually interchangeable parts. The windscreens, the body panels, the Dino motor etc.

Nothing will ever equal the original period. But, some of the Stratos replicas have charm and authenticity that replicate the original handling and power train characteristics.

FWI: I have no intention of purchasing a Hawk replica. Just pointing out that that the replicas are not as far away from the original as you may expect.

 

I could not agree more. I think in part the reason is because the replica Stratos cars are reasonably faithful and some improve upon the original design. I think Stratos replicas are built with a completely different motivation in mind compared with say a Countach or Diablo replica.

Generally speaking Lambo replicas have nothing in common with the original car. 99 our of 100 times the end result is a worse handling car, worse performing and inaccurate replica of the original, sharing nothing more than a visual appearance upon a poor base platform (Fiero). Stratos replicas on the other hand tend to be more faithful to the original design and at least as well finished as the original car.

 

Which? Be specific.

Absolutely false. It is obvious that you have never seen a real Stratos and I am wondering whether you have seen a Hawk.

Partly true, the geometry is still front: dual wishbones, rear: MacPherson. Similarites stop there.

Similarities stop there. The Hawk fuel tanks look nothing like the original and neither does the fueling system.

The Hawk looks like a Stratos with lids closed and from afar. What's under the lids has little to no similarities to the original

Suspension parts look a bit like the Stratos in the front but are NOT interchangeable. The rear suspension components are COMPLETELY different.

Regarding chassis rigidity allow my to doubt your statement. It is hard to make a spaceframe chassis as rigid as a monocoque one. Additionally the Stratos chassis is one of the tougher and most rigid ever to be found.

I'm stoping here as my previous posts are sufficiently precise to cover the rest of your allegations.

Cheers.

 

the idea of a countach 'replica' is absurd, sure they are still expensive cars but they are still what i'd call obtainable. as much as i'd love a lancia stratos they're just way too expensive to consider using as a 'car', they're more suited to special rally occasions and museum pieces.

and the other thing is the whole point of a stratos replica for me is to pay homage to the rally weapon and be able to drive it at will. guys who are doing countach's and stuff are only trying to make people think they have a lamborghini. i don't care that the rep stratos isn't a Lancia or what bits it's made out of, you'll notice i don't call it a Lancia Stratos unless referring to an original.

 

You are quite right. There are far too few Stratos around. Most people have never seen a real one.
An original LP400 will set you back the same amount as a Stratos Stradale. It has some of the shortcomings of the Stratos too, nice car.

 

It depends it would be like building a factory five cobra. As long as its done the right way I wouldn't see nothing wrong with it.

As far as the last comment you mentioned, First, Not everybody will get there hands an orginal Lamborghini or Ferrari you know,Second, others can afford the orginal but they would rather have something more "simplified" thats cheaper to maintain rather than blowing up 10k every 6months in maintance cost and have more reliablity than the orginal.

Third, then there's people like me who would rather build there dream car than go to a local dealership and buy it.

 

The Stratos is a very robust and relaible car. Maintenance costs are not too much higher than a Fiat Dino. Only the damage you cause may be more expensive to fix (windshield, suspension components, anything specific to the car).

 

And for those wondering a good Stradale can be had for 80-100K euros.
You need to look for it though.
Group 4 cars can be much more expensive.

 

blah blah

in a year or two i might be in the market for one so i'll be keeping my eyes peeled....

 

The process is a lot more complex than that. You need an expert to identify a proper car. Missing parts can be difficult to obtain if originality is an issue.
You need to check the candidate's chassis number against the Stratos register maintained by Thomas Popper.
You should also know that prices tend to rise 10-20% per year and that fake cars are around with chassis manufactured in 2005 and later by some unscrupulous Italians.

 

Rather than going tit-for-tat with you I suggest you go over and raise your voice at www.stratossupersite.com (a forum dedicated to the Stratos) and hear what the knowledgeable community of Stratos folks have to say on the matter. There is universal agreement that the Hawk cars are a close replica of the original. You should also check out Piston Heads for like discussions on the accuracy.

You can be a purist all you like (a bolt here, a nut there), but in the end there is a limited volume of Stratos out there, and people will continue to produce high quality replicas that are reasonably close to the original article and in many cases finished better than the original car.

Just so you know: a genuine Stratos was used (there are complete details on the above mentioned site) to mould the Hawk body panels as was a genuine Stratos put in a jig to get the original chassis setup.

Just because you have witnessed some obviously horrendous replicas does not mean that there are not accurate close replicas out there in numbers.

 

to be honest i don't think he was bagging the replicas - quite the opposite - just stating that apart from appearance they have very little in common with the Lancia.

 

I have been a member of the Stratossupersite forums since 2003. Also one of the very few owners of originals to be in discussion with replica owners.

 

That is interesting, because nowhere did I see your violent opposition (on Stratossupersite) to any of the comments that I posted above from that site (see the "cut and shut").

 

That is well understood Ash. I am merely stating that some of the replicas are far closer (to the original) than our friend would like to accept.

 

in shape and performance yes, but i wouldn't try and pass one off as a lancia built car... they are really only a well developed kit-car, each one i'm sure is a bitsa from 5-10+ donor cars.

 

Rather than making idiotic comments like this one why don't you address the points I have underlined? Have you noticed that nobody on the StratosSuperSite forums has contested them?
How can a replica be "far closer" to the orginal with all the differencies I pointed out?

 

Well, that settles it. The Stratos is the greatest car ever made!!!!!! And the Hawk is everything a replica should be. Done.

Now, gentlemen, please take your pissing match somewhere else.

Thank you.

 

Not very far from the truth.

You're welcome.

 

I heard the Stratos sucks.

 

I was refering to other cars such as the Diablo, Countach......

 

Finally we have a comment on the mark. Kudos to you!

That is all our Swiss friend appears interested in.

I have made my point.