Hasegawa 1/24 Lancia Stratos HF '1981 Monte-Carlo Rally' Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Lancia Stratos HF (High Fidelity) was a mid-engined sports car produced between 1972-1974. The car was developed as either a road-worthy sports car or as a rally car that could race across a range of surfaces from gravel to ice. The Stratos HF would win 18 races between 1974-1981 as well as won Lancia the manufacturer's rally championship for 1974, 1975 and 1976. The Stratos' final rally victory took place in 1981 at the 25eme Tour de Corse driven by Bernard Darniche and Alain Mahe.

Hasegawa has reissued their Lancia Stratos HF kit with new fender flares to replicate the car in its final 1981 win. Molded in black styrene, this kit is presented four parts trees plus one parts tree of clear parts and one set of rubber (vinyl) tires. Among the features and options in this kit:

• Detailed chassis and suspension
• No engine visible nor provided but good exhaust system replicated
• Left-hand drive
• Detailed instrument cluster on dash board
• Spare tire can be seen through front bonnet vents

As with most of the kits in this series, the doors, engine deck and front bonnet are all molded closed, and while there is no separate engine provided, you wouldn't see it between the fixed engine deck on top and the huge armored skid plate underneath.

Markings are provided for one example, and this is the ultimate in simple paint schemes - all black. You still have to pay attention to body prep to achieve smooth paint, but with all of the sponsor and race decals that go on this car, you don't have to worry that much about paint.

This will make a nice project for your bench, especially once you've had some hot racers going by at a local racing event that gets your modeling inspiration flowing.

My sincere thanks to Hasegawa USA for this review sample!