LHD Customer Built LB STR Gp4

Description

This is a self build vehicle, assembled to very high exacting standards over a two year period. (Full build thread available to paid Members of the Stratos Enthusiasts Club (SEC) Website).

The car passed the extremely detailed Government IVA test at the first time of asking in May 2023 following a full factory pre IVA inspection which included appropriate adjustments such as the initial set up of the suspension geometry. The inspector commented that “if he hadn’t known it was a customer build he would have thought the car was one assembled by a low volume producer”!

The car has been built as left hand drive for authenticity! But, don’t let this put you off as due to the compact nature of the car, the driving position is very close to the centreline of the vehicle which means that it makes very little difference when driving on the UK roads. When touring on the continent it really comes into its own.

The Group 4 ‘Round Arch’ bodywork is finished in polished RAL 3002 Carmine Red gelcoat complete with colour coded  spoilers and quad light pod. The rear louvre, light surrounds and quad pod cover are in contrasting black. The Quad pod is fully functional but can be removed if required.

The interior is carpeted with LB’s bespoke trim kit which features red carpets with contrasting binding and charcoal grey alcantara trim to the Stradale style dashboard, door cards and seats. Sabelt 4 point harnesses in red hold you securely in the supportive seats & the steering wheel is removable for improved ingress and egress.
The car features lots of typical LB extras including; heated windscreen, air conditioning, Nitron R1 springs and dampers, Quaife LSD, uprated radiator, additional (fan activated) water pump and Thatcham 1 alarm with central locking for doors. Additionally the car is fitted with lots of period correct features to pay homage to the original Stratos – front Carello fog lights, replica style wooden gear knob, X1/9 handbrake lever, column stalks and clam latches.

The superb 16/ 17″ billet wheels from Italy come shod with Toyo R888R tyres.

The engine is a low mileage, fully rebuilt, 2.5 24V Busso V6 from an Alfa Romeo 156 and is fitted with many new parts. A detailed engine build thread is available on the Stratos Enthusiast Clubs Website for members to see all that was done to bring it back to spec.

The six speed gearbox is also from the Alfa 156 & benefits from the addition of a torque biasing LSD for better control of the engines power. The transmission provides a nice set of ratios which are perfect for winding country lanes but with the added benefit of a sensible 6th gear making it very usable for long-distance touring as well.

With the 2.5l engine having a shorter stroke it is spiritually closer to the original Stratos’ Dino motor. This shorter stroke in turn allows the engine to rev more willingly & freely than it’s larger capacity stable mates. The single exit exhaust also enhances the sound produced by the motor & reaffirms why the Busso really is regarded as one of the best V6 engines ever produced.

Braking is controlled by an unservoed bias adjustable Wilwood pedal box which in turn distributes braking to large 4 piston calipers which clamp down on vented discs on both the front and rear axles .

Suspension is provided by LB’s bespoke wishbones, billet alloy uprights & geometry. Damping is provided by the excellent Nitron R1 coil overs and struts F & R respectively. Spring & damping rates are selected to be comfortable enough for touring but firm enough to allow for spirited driving when the circumstances permit.

The steering on the car is again bespoke, the rack is unassisted but this provides the benefit of a better driver connection with perfect feel, weighting and feedback at speed and overall the car handles beautifully. This is a true bespoke suspension and steering set up which can be tuned to your personal requirements.

Car build thread and engine build thread details as mentioned above can be found on the SEC Club site. www.stratosec.com/forum
NB you will need to join the SEC to be able to access them.