1970 Lancia Stratos Zero: The Avant-Garde Icon of the Wedge Era

Designed by the brilliant minds of Marcello Gandini and his team at Bertone, the Stratos Zero is not your average ride.

Imagine a car so low that it's almost kissing the ground, and with a wild wedge shape that looks more like a house in a sci-fi movie than a road.

But here's the kicker – it's not just a pretty face. Hidden beneath that sleek body is an extremely powerful engine, hinting at the raw power this beast can unleash.

Scuderia Lancia used it effectively for marketing their Lancia Stratos version as well.

The Lancia Stratos, produced from 1973 to 1978, was powered by the Ferrari Dino 246 GT/GTS 2.4-litre V6 engine producing 187 hp and achieved several World Rally Championship victories from 1974 to 1976.

Its angular trapezoidal ultra-futuristic science fiction design (for its time) styling is ultra-low and aerodynamic in shape, with a height of only 84 centimeters (at 33 inches, it is arguably low enough to operate right under a semi-trailer Was) .

The bodywork is made of fiberglass, with the original copper color scheme, fastback rear body shape, a retractable steering wheel for easy access to the cockpit, a flip-open front-windshield door, and integrated bucket seats.

The rear reflected this dramatic effect with a minimalist but highly effective design – featuring a mesh grille, ribbon tail lights, wide tires and dual exhausts located on the side of the prominent gearbox case.

The front headlight strip was illuminated by the light of ten 55-watt bulbs, while the rear strip was dazzled by a series of 84 smaller bulbs arranged around the circumference of the short tail.

To indicate turns, these identical lights will illuminate sequentially from the center to the edges, creating a distinctive and functional lighting feature.

The cabin was so forward that access was via a flip-up windscreen, and a spring hydraulic linkage was designed so that, as soon as the steering column was moved forward to enable access to the driver's seat, the windscreen would rise. .

The black rectangle below the windscreen was actually a small rubber mat intended to make climbing easier by stepping on the bodywork first.

The Lancia badge in the center of the mat cleverly hid a pivoting handle that opened the windscreen.