The story of "The Duck": a Lancia Stratos that raced in IMSA in the 70s and 80s, restored by Girardo & Co.

After decades of neglect, an atypical Lancia Stratos has undergone a complete restoration to its former glory. Three years of intensive work in Emilia-Romagna with the finest craftsmen brought a Group IV Stratos HF, nicknamed "The Duck" for its bright yellow, generously shaped body, back to life.

An original destiny for this "duck" Stratos

This Stratos is already original in terms of its sporting career, since it was not on the tracks of the World Rally Championship, but on the legendary circuits of the United States that it made its mark. Originally designed as a Giallo Fly road car with a Blue interior (hence its affectionate nickname of "Duck"), it was acquired new by Anatoly Arutunoff alias "Toly", an Oklahoma-based entrepreneur, Ferrari dealer and oil industry heir.

The son of Russian émigré Armais Arutunoff, who had amassed a considerable fortune after inventing the world's first submersible oil pump, Toly Arutunoff took possession of his new Stratos HF at the Lancia factory in Turin at the end of 1976. The car was driven overnight to Cherbourg in northern France, where it was loaded aboard the SS Queen Elizabeth 2 liner bound for New York.

Arutunoff immediately took the wheel of this Lancia, fresh from its maiden voyage, and drove it 2,250 kilometers through thick snow and icy patches to Tulsa, Oklahoma. After many modifications, nine years of competition followed in the GTU category (GT cars with engines under 2.5L) throughout the United States, including the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen and the 500 Miles of Road America. Each event was meticulously documented by Arutunoff, who kept handwritten notes on set-ups, with gear ratios and tire pressures specific to each circuit.

Traces of history

In 1986, Arutunoff sold his Stratos to a Texan who, apart from a few regional races, rarely used it. In recent years, this Lancia had unfortunately fallen into disrepair and, in August 2022, it was put up for sale in California. This is where Girardo & Co. come in.

Contemplating this resplendent Lancia Stratos Groupe IV after its meticulous restoration, it's hard to imagine the advanced state of disrepair in which it was discovered. The people behind this project didn't set out to restore "Le Canard" to like-new condition. This Lancia's prestigious racing history is so intrinsically linked to its identity that attempting to erase all traces of its use would have been "a mistake", in their view. As a result, some wear marks have been preserved, while a complete overhaul of the mechanics has been carried out, ensuring its longevity.

The car also featured a number of peculiarities, such as the non-retractable headlamps, unlike those on the Stratos HF Stradale, which are recessed into the hood and crudely covered in transparent Perspex. Or the profusion of dials and indicators retrofitted across the entire width of the dashboard. Or the solid, studded bucket seat, restored by the same Modena saddler who makes Pagani interiors.

Even better than when we left the factory!

The first step was to carry out a complete photographic study, not only for the indispensable before-and-after photos, but also as a later reference to reproduce the unique specifications and finish of the Group IV. This was followed by the complete dismantling of all the car's components, right down to the bodywork. Every inch of "The Duck's" chassis was meticulously inspected and examined on the metalworking specialist's spit. Since Anatoly Arutunoff took delivery of this Stratos as a "standard" HF Stradale and had it converted in the USA into a Group IV racing car, it features a number of special features, not least the chassis.

The next step was to send the chassis for a cataphoresis treatment to protect the metal. Although not applied at the time, it will be totally undetectable once the car is painted, and will effectively prevent future corrosion. The chassis was sent to the body shop for final adjustment, before the application of primer and paint. After the standard black basecoat, the specific shade of yellow was reproduced using vintage paint discovered when the chassis was stripped. Numerous refurbished systems were installed, including full suspension, steering rack, crankset, brakes, radiator and cooling fans. Best of all, this Stratos' legendary Ferrari Dino V6 engine roared to life for the first time in decades when put through its paces. The engine ran flawlessly!

What does the future hold for this storied Stratos? The original plan for "The Duck" was for its new owner to bring it back to Daytona International Speedway for the HSR Classic Daytona in 2026. The first shakedown was a success, so let's hope that it will continue its history on the most prestigious circuits in the USA.