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Topic starter
20/05/2023 5:51 pm Â
Auguri Sandro Munari AKA: "Il Drago" (the Dragon), born in 1940 was a winning motor racing and rally driver mostly associated with Lancia as their factory driver. He began rally driving in 1965 and from '67 to '73 won multiple championships in the Lancia Fulvia HF. Starting in 1971, Lancia began planning the first dedicated rally car collaborating with Marcello Gandini of Bertone. Starting with a Fulvia chassis and purchasing the 500 remaining 2.4 liter Dino V6's that Ferrari had discontinued along with the Dino. The 12v Dino was upgraded to 24 valves to produce 360hp. That engine was offered in various configurations including a 190 hp detuned version for their Stradale or street model. Like Gandini's Miura, the wide wedge shaped car opened like a clam shell with the front forward and the rear rearward. The factory Lancia Stratos ruled rally event from the 70s to he early 80s with "Il Drago" behind the wheel. This model is the 1976 Monte Carlo Rallye winner with Munari behind the wheel.
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21/05/2023 3:31 am Â
Who does this interesting and detailed model ?
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21/05/2023 4:23 am Â
This car is so funky looking that, as a kid, when I saw R/C models of it.... I thought it was a fictitious design. Years later, I was truly surprised to discover it was indeed a real car. This is a great looking model of it!
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Rich Sufficool reacted
21/05/2023 4:25 am Â
Who does this interesting and detailed model ?
Kyosho made a few versions of this car, this is one of them. Solido also makes a Rally livery (in red).
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Topic starter
21/05/2023 10:21 am Â
@chris I felt the same way as you, Chris. I knew nothing about European rallies back in the day. It was such a bizarre looking car, I had to find out more about it. Then, when I saw the HF in that incredible Alitalia livery, I had to have the model. I missed out on Kyosho's first release, but when they reissued it in similar livery as the #10 Monte Carlo winner I jumped on it. Now I can appreciate it for what it was - the perfect dedicated rally car.
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David Green and Christopher Moroni reacted
22/05/2023 10:28 am Â
Thanks for the history, @rich-sufficool. I always enjoy reading that part of your posts.
I've always loved the Stratos. I have a 1/64 by Tomy that I got in the early '80's & then my first Transformer was an Alitalia sponsored Stratos. Both Kyosho & SunStar did a number of different liveries, including street cars. I always wanted the red street car by Kyosho to go with my #1 Rally car (the 1977 Monte Carlo rally winner also driven by Munari).
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Marty Johnson and Christopher Moroni reacted
22/05/2023 10:36 am Â
...and the purpose for these rear mudflap chains are? 🤔 🤔 🤔Â
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22/05/2023 11:55 am Â
I honestly don't know, just really liked that detail. I'd assume to keep them attached to the body or maybe the weight of the chains keeps the flaps more vertical.
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Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
22/05/2023 1:45 pm Â
@chris I assume it's to protect the guy behind from buckshots of rocks and gravel.
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22/05/2023 3:57 pm Â
@chris I assume it's to protect the guy behind from buckshots of rocks and gravel.
Well, that's certainly the reason for the mudflaps but how would a chain help? Perhaps the weight helps to keep the mudflap "vertical" (less chance to curl up and let all that buckshot pass under). 🤔 🤔 Â
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As Gavin noted though, it's a cool detail! 😎 😎Â
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22/05/2023 4:10 pm Â
Pretty sure most of the Rally events were time trial events...so you didn't regularly have multiple cars on the course at the same time.
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Christopher Moroni reacted