Lancia 037 build... Am I crazy?

[David_Ingermann]

My Type 65 Coupe is getting out of the paint shop next week, and I'm already itching for another FFR project. I've been eyeing an 818 for the next car for quite a long time, but I've been more attached to the platform than the body.

Today I came to a dangerous realization, the Lancia 037 Stradale, one of my all time favorite cars, is an almost exact match to the 818 in terms of length, width, and height, and an exact match in terms of wheel base and track width... Once FFR is done with the F9R project I hope this is a consideration for the lineup. What do you guys think?

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[FFRWRX]

Wouldn’t appeal to me at all.

[Ajzride]

I don't think FFR has any interest in it at all, but if you are nifty with fiberglass it shouldn't be too hard to do it yourself. I'm planning on more than 50% custom fiberglass on mine.

[David_Ingermann]

I don't think FFR has any interest in it at all

I would if I were them, the demand for these cars is unreal overseas. It might prove to be a very good way to penetrate the European market. I think it would sell well enough to offset costs in the US market alone though, especially seeing as it could be built off of what is already a pre-existing chassis to their lineup.

But I digress that it is more than likely that I will have to chart my own path on this build. Luckily I'm a body tech and painter with decent knowledge of fiberglass.

[Hobby Racer]

Dave specifically mentions wanting to do a Lancia Stratos body for the 818 in the video post he did recently. You can see it here.

FFR Live Stream about the 818 (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35948-FFR-Live-Stream-about-the-818)

[lsfourwheeler]

They're definitely considering it. It will probably be fighting their idea of lengthening the car to fit an LS though so it's likely they will have to choose which of the two to do since lengthening the car would make it no longer proportional to the Stratos.

[Ajzride]

They're definitely considering it. It will probably be fighting their idea of lengthening the car to fit an LS though so it's likely they will have to choose which of the two to do since lengthening the car would make it no longer proportional to the Stratos.

I imagine we would get a 818 and a 818L. They already have jigs and molds, they wouldn’t have to stop selling the current version.

[flynntuna]

They're definitely considering it. It will probably be fighting their idea of lengthening the car to fit an LS though so it's likely they will have to choose which of the two to do since lengthening the car would make it no longer proportional to the Stratos.

Dave did say that he loves the design of the Stratos and the Porsche 904. Jim though threw cold water on the idea of the Stratos saying that it would require a complete redesign. That I would interpret as they would take design cues from one or both of those cars for the new body when and if it comes out. Personally I'd love to see a Porsche 904 replica.
Then again any changes in the 818 are many years down the road, since it probably will depend on whether the GTM survives.

[aquillen]

I believe FFR had a war with Shelby over the Cobra name, which one might expect could happen. So that replica had a bump in the road. I've heard stories of Ferrari taking US mold makers to task for copying their cars in the past. I'd bet Porsche would have a fit if FFR actually made a close looking replica of any of their cars - likely a lawsuit fit. Then again I don't know, but I would think they are better off not replicating more recent designs as far a getting into issues with deep pocket companies.

I know they really wanted to get a US engine into the 818, but the Ford motor had some Ford support issues that messed up that particular pick. To get the 818 back in high favor with the US market I think it will need to get around the Subaru donor limitations of age, newer model electronics challenges and so on. Assuming FFR did indeed make a sustainable profit on the 818 platform it would be a shame to let that fade away. That is to say it probably can be updated to work with some new parts choices with the profit they have to make to keep with it. And heck - not everyone wants a roadster, truck or can afford one of the supercars - but to still be able to build a hot looking and performing kit based car has to draw future buyers.

[flynntuna]

There are a few Porsche replica kit car company's out there, one here in San Diego. https://www.rockwestracing.com/store/
I imagine they have some sort of licensing agreement with them. This company here in San Diego has gone thru a few ownership changes which is one of the reasons I went with FFR. That and their kits are really expensive.