The mid-engine Lancia Stratos HF fundamentally changed rally racing with its radical body, nimble handling, and powerful V6 engine. Despite limited production, the Stratos became a legend by dominating events worldwide thanks to an innovative purpose-built design unmatched in the 1970s. Lancia Stratos HF Revolutionary Concept Origins The Stratos project began life as a styling…
The Porsche 356 Rally Car proved a shockingly adept rally car during the 1950s and early 1960s. With its rear-engine traction, the little German coupe could embarrass much larger machinery in tough stage rally events worldwide thanks to durability and agility. Humble Production Car Origins When introduced in 1948, the Porsche 356 was conceived as…
Mitsubishi Eclipse JDM sports coupe gained fame worldwide as an attainable performance car thanks to turbocharged power and all-wheel drive traction. But JDM models took the formula even further with unique engines and handling upgrades cementing the Eclipse’s tuner cred. Mitsubishi Eclipse JDM AWD Turbo Power Arrives Mitsubishi launched the first-generation Eclipse in 1989 as…
The Nissan 200SX sports coupe carved out a niche emphasizing style, customization, and value across three generations spanning two decades. While affordably priced, intelligent engineering made the 200SX a favorite among driving enthusiasts worldwide. Let’s explore the 200SX formula through the years. Nissan 200SX S12 Debuts the Concept Nissan established the 200SX formula in 1975…
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 sedan stood apart in 1990s lineup thanks to its potent turbo powerplant and advanced all-wheel drive system. Developed for domination, the VR-4 opened new possibilities for family sports sedans. Let’s examine this icon of Japanese sports sedans. World Rally Inspired Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Development Mitsubishi drew from its motorsport programs when developing…
The Toyota MR2 carved out a niche as an affordable mid-engine sports car offering everyday usability when it debuted in 1984. Lightweight construction, nimble handling, and a scaleable powertrain made the MR2 a tuner favorite through three generations spanning over 25 years. AW11 Debuts the Formula Toyota engineered the first-generation AW11 MR2 to bring exotic…
Marlboro Rally Car – During motorsport’s tobacco sponsorship era, cigarette brand Marlboro backed some of the world’s most successful rally cars. Vivid red and white Marlboro livery became synonymous with rally racing across teams like Toyota, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, and Audi campaigning Marlboro-branded machines to victory. Group B Supercars Marlboro sponsorship soared most prominently in the…
Muscle car rally during the 1960s and 1970s, American V8 muscle cars surprised the European-dominated rally scene by scoring impressive competition victories. Models like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and AMC Javelin proved their surprising off-road competence against imported purpose-built rally machines. Camaro Z28 SCCA Rally Racers In 1969, Chevrolet’s Camaro Z28 debuted in rallying…