© Dirk de Jager ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
Lancia's 1982 World Rally title came as a direct result of the design and development done through this prototype, SE 037-001.
The Lancia Rally 037, the first-ever championship winner purpose-built for the legendary Group B rule set and last-ever RWD World Rally champion, is a certified legend. It was also the first formally introduced Group B car, meaning that this chassis number 001 development prototype is among the first cars built for rallying's most storied era.
This particular 037 was never actually run in an official World Rally Championship event, but it was the single most important testing component in the development cycle of what would eventually become the 1983 championship-winning 037 competition cars. As a development car, this particular 037 was used as both a baseline for the final product's initial design and as a way to test out significant new components.
© Dirk de Jager ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
lancia se 037 001
According to the listing from RM auctions, tests conducted included variations on forced induction options (naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and supercharged), aerodynamic changes (no rear aero, a rear wing, and the rear spoiler that ended up on the final product), and even tires (competition options from both Michelin and Pirelli).
The final product would go on to win the 1983 championship, but, before that, this particular 037 was made useful as part of the Lancia team stable throughout the 1982 season. In January of that season, it was briefly seen testing in the program's famous Martini livery. In April, it was sent to Greece to perform reconnaissance for the upcoming Acropolis Rally.
© Dirk de Jager ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
lancia se 037 001
As Lancia development turned to the more radical Delta S4 in the years that followed, SE 037-001 first returned to the Abarth shop in Italy before finally being sold privately to team engineer Sergio Limone. He restored the car to its 1981 testing form, the shape it still finds itself in today.
© Dirk de Jager ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
lancia se 037 001
At some point along the line, a custom car cover was built; this cover faithfully replicates the look of the car underneath in a minimalist style, effectively making this very real 037 look like something out of the low-poly video games of the early 1990s.
The car is due to be auctioned by RM Sotheby's in June. No price estimate is given, but it would be safe to assume that this historic rallying legend will command a hefty sum.
Via Silodrome.