Lancia Stratos Turbo Group 5 (1977 Giro d'Italia) - 1:18 Scale Model Car by Tecnomodel
- 1:18 Scale (approximately ten inches in length)
- Resin body, features no opening parts
- Limited edition of 190 units worldwide
Though mostly unsuccessful as a circuit racer, the Lancia Stratos Turbo Group 5 did establish a victorious record in the Giro d'Italia hybrid road race/rally, winning the event every year from 1974 to 1976...so why is the 1977 version, which would fail to finish the race, the most famous of all the Stratos Turbo Group 5s?
In a word, Wheeljack.
Following its fruitless effort in the Giro d'Italia, the Alitalia-liveried Stratos Group 5 was sent to Japan for use in the burgeoning Formula Silhouette series, but would never turn a wheel in competition there. Instead, the car would end up in the famed Matsuda Collection, where it would stoke the imaginations of a generation of car-crazy Japanese fans, some of whom were busy developing a line of toy robots disguised as cars. Thus, the Lancia Stratos Turbo Group 5 would become one of the first Transformers, known to kids the world over as "Wheeljack" and cementing its place in automotive history in a most unconventional way.
The Lancia Stratos Turbo Group 5 is now the subject of a beautifully crafted 1:18-scale resin replica by Tecnomodel. Its wild silhouette-racer coachwork and its iconic Alitalia livery have been precisely rendered, accented by crisp event decals and incredibly authentic red wheels. With production limited to only 190 units, only a select few enthusiasts will have the opportunity to add Tecnomodel's Stratos Turbo Group 5 to their model collections. Just be aware: this one doesn't change into a robot.
Item # TM18-258B