The price of this Lancia Stratos HF sold at auction has skyrocketed, yet the winner is disappointed!

A few days ago, we told you about this rare 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale for sale on the American "Bring a Trailer" platform at a surprisingly low price. Expertly restored for over 290,000 $ (around €265,000) and signed by two rally legends, Sandro Munari and Miki Biasion, this example (chassis no. 001515) represented a genuine piece of motorsport history.

Designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone and equipped with the famous Ferrari Dino 2.4L V6 engine, the Stratos is an absolute myth. World Rally Champion for three years running (1974, 1975, 1976), it still symbolizes the golden age of Ferrari. Lancia in competition. Originally delivered to Japan, the model was shipped to the USA in 2015 before undergoing a complete restoration between 2022 and 2024.

A spectacular final price

When we told you about it on July 24, the auction had peaked at 333,000 $ with one day to go. Enthusiasts wondered whether it would actually break the long-awaited 350,000 $ barrier. But in the last few hours, the situation changed completely: bids soared to 675,000 $ (around €600,000).

A price worthy of the rarity and exceptional condition of this Stratos HF Stradale. Comments on the platform showed a mixture of admiration and surprise: "A Lancia for 675K. Incredible!" exclaimed one Internet user.

And yet... the sale won't go ahead

Despite this impressive price, the seller finally announced that the reserve price had not been reached. A decision that sent shockwaves through the automotive community. "What did he expect, a million dollars?" one participant indignantly asked. Others pointed out that this kind of situation happens more often than you might think, but rarely on such an iconic car.

One comment summed up the general feeling perfectly:

"Today, that's what informed buyers were willing to pay."

Was the seller hoping for a seven-figure sum? Some suggest he may wait until Monterey Car Week, when European and American buyers may be more generous.

In the meantime, this 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale will be remembered as one of the most closely followed sales of recent months... and as a huge missed opportunity.