{"product_id":"lancia-stratos-hf-1979-monte-carlo-rally-winner-1-18-scale-model-car-by-spark","title":"Lancia Stratos HF (1979 Monte Carlo Rally Winner) - 1:18 Scale Model Car by Spark","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe 1:18-scale Lancia Stratos HF (1979 Monte Carlo Rally Winner) by Spark is now available for pre-order. Pre-order period closes Friday, August 28, 2026. Manufacturer's \u003cstrong\u003eestimated\u003c\/strong\u003e release date: \u003cstrong\u003eDecember 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1:18-scale \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLancia Stratos HF (1979 Monte Carlo Rally Winner)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by Spark is a collector-grade resin model that commemorates one of the most dramatic - and most debated - victories in World Rally Championship history. Replicating the privateer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeam Chardonnet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e entry driven by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBernard Darniche\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and co-driver \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlain Mahé\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this highly detailed model captures the legendary rally car that proved the Stratos remained a formidable competitor long after its factory heyday.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpark faithfully recreates the distinctive shape and aggressive stance of the Team Chardonnet Stratos, complete with its elegant French Blue livery, flared bodywork, prominent auxiliary lighting array, authentic rally details, and accurately rendered cockpit. The result is a display-worthy collectible that captures the spirit of rallying's golden era and one of the Monte Carlo Rally's most unforgettable finishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrders ship from our \u003cstrong\u003eCalifornia facility within 1–2 business days\u003c\/strong\u003e, and every purchase is protected by our \u003cstrong\u003e30-day return policy\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eProduct Overview \u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Collectible scale model car\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVehicle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lancia 037 Rally (1983 Tour de Corse Winner)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrivers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Markku Alén and Ilkka Kivimäki\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRace: \u003c\/strong\u003eTour de Corse rally\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e White with Martini livery\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:18\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~10 inches (25.4 cm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Resin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spark\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18S1209\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clear acrylic display case\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e New in original manufacturer packaging\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLicense:\u003c\/strong\u003e Officially licensed Lancia product\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eKey Collectible Features\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePremium sealed-body resin construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRealistic racing wheels with rubber tires\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccurate Lancia 037 Rally bodywork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinely detailed auxiliary lighting and body trim\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCollector-quality paint and Martini livery graphics application\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eHistorical Background: the Underdog Wins at Col di Turini\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy 1979, the Lancia Stratos HF was already considered a rally legend. Factory support had largely shifted elsewhere, and many observers believed newer machinery from Ford and Fiat would dominate the Monte Carlo Rally. Yet André Chardonnet, the official Lancia importer for France, remained convinced that the Stratos was perfectly suited to the demanding combination of dry pavement, snow, ice, and mountain roads that defined Monte Carlo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor most of the event, the rally unfolded as expected, with the works-backed Ford Escort RS1800 of Björn Waldegård appearing to hold the advantage. However, as competitors entered the rally's decisive final stages through the snow-covered mountain passes surrounding the famous \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCol de Turini\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Darniche began an extraordinary charge. The experienced French driver extracted every ounce of performance from the aging but still razor-sharp Stratos, dramatically reducing the gap to the rally leader.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe final result remains one of the most debated endings in rally history. During the closing stages, Waldegård encountered two large boulders that had mysteriously appeared on the road, forcing him into a minor collision and a more cautious approach to the remainder of the rally. Whether the incident was simple misfortune or something more deliberate has been debated for decades. What is certain is that Darniche capitalized on the opportunity, claiming victory by just six seconds after more than 2,000 kilometers of competition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe win became one of the last great triumphs for the Lancia Stratos and further strengthened its reputation as one of the most effective rally cars ever built. Today, the 1979 Monte Carlo-winning Team Chardonnet Stratos remains a symbol of rallying's most colorful era—an era defined by fearless drivers, unpredictable conditions, mechanical ingenuity, and stories that continue to be discussed nearly half a century later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eFrequently Asked Collector Questions\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this model have opening parts?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, this is a sealed resin model with no opening parts, allowing for maximum accuracy in body shape and surface fidelity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it include a display case?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, this model comes in a clear acrylic display case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the model new?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It is \u003cstrong\u003ebrand new and unopened in Spark’s original packaging\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow quickly does it ship?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOrders ship from our \u003cstrong\u003eCalifornia warehouse within 1–2 business days\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eWho This Model Is Ideal For\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory-minded World Rally Championship fans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLancia owners and enthusiasts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:18-scale model car collectors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot intended for children under 14 years - not a toy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✅ Will ship from Model Citizen Diecast's California offices upon release\u003cbr\u003e✅ Secure packaging for collectors\u003cbr\u003e✅ 30-day return policy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52559143043352,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0944\/6340\/files\/SPK18LanciaStratosMC79FQ3K.jpg?v=1787525528","url":"https:\/\/www.modelcitizendiecast.com\/products\/lancia-stratos-hf-1979-monte-carlo-rally-winner-1-18-scale-model-car-by-spark","provider":"Model Citizen Diecast","version":"1.0","type":"link"}