1970 Lancia Stratos Zero Prototipo

The Lancia Stratos Zero Prototipo 1970 is a breathtakingly futuristic concept car that was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1970. It is a one-off prototype that was designed to showcase Lancia's vision for the future of automotive design, and it is widely regarded as one of the most forward-thinking and influential concept cars of all time.

At first glance, the Stratos Zero Prototipo looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Its wedge-shaped body is unlike anything that had been seen before, with sharply angled lines and dramatic curves that give it a sense of speed and power even at rest. The body is made entirely of fiberglass, which was a relatively new material at the time, and its futuristic design was further emphasized by the use of plexiglass for the roof and side windows.

Under the hood, the Stratos Zero Prototipo was powered by a mid-mounted 1.6-liter V4 engine, which was borrowed from the Fulvia HF. Despite its compact size, this engine was capable of producing 115 horsepower, which was more than enough to push the lightweight Stratos Zero Prototipo to its top speed of 124 miles per hour.

One of the most striking features of the Stratos Zero Prototipo is its unique "scissor" doors, which swing upwards and forwards on hydraulic hinges. This design was later popularized by the Lamborghini Countach and became a defining feature of many supercars of the 1980s.

Inside, the Stratos Zero Prototipo was equally avant-garde, with a minimalist cockpit that was focused purely on driving. The steering wheel was mounted on a center console that rose up from the floor, and the driver's seat was fixed in place to accommodate the unusual door design.

Although the Stratos Zero Prototipo was never put into production, its impact on automotive design cannot be overstated. It influenced countless designers and became a symbol of Lancia's commitment to innovation and forward-thinking design. Today, the Stratos Zero Prototipo is considered a masterpiece of automotive design and is held in high regard by collectors and enthusiasts around the world.