Lancia Stratos Turbo sponsored by Alitalia - Giro d'Italia Automobilistico 1977
Car scale model kit in 1/24 scale manufactured by Tamiya (ref. TAM25210, also 4950344252107 and 25210)

In 1977 the Stratos no longer participated in the World Championship for Makes with the Group 5 Turbo version, but its development continued, albeit very slowly. With their heads set on the Giro d'Italia Automobilistico, the only participation scheduled by Lancia Corse for that season, set-up tests were carried out at the Morano Po and Fiorano circuits.

The 5th edition of the Giro d'Italia Automobilistico started in Turin in the central Piazza San Carlo, with an entry list of 56 vehicles. Unlike the previous year, Lancia only entered one works car for Munari/Sodano, it being the same Stratos Turbo that had won the previous year, but with a different license plate (TO 1533).

From a technical point of view, the turbo had been carefully calibrated to a boost value of 0.9 bar, and also the tire supplier was changed, using Pirelli instead of Goodyear. But the most visible change was undoubtedly a complete change of decoration, using Alitalia colors instead of Marlboro. Unfortunately, the Stratos was unable to repeat its success from the previous year, being forced to retire due to technical engine problems.

Later, after spending a period of time in the Maglioli workshop in Biella, the car was sent to Japan to take part in a race to be held at the Mount Fuji circuit with local driver Kazuyoshi Hoshino at the wheel, keeping the Alitalia colours, but the race did not take place and the car remained in Japan for years, being purchased by Yoshiho Matsuda, famous for his car collection. But the curious thing is that it was Matsuda himself who lent the car to Tamiya to be able to make the 1/24 scale kit.