Chimera Automobili EVO37, a converted Lancia 037 Group B rally car.

Italian firm to reboot legendary Lancia 037 Group B rally car The Chimera Automobili EVO37 has been the talk of the town this year, appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, and deliveries will begin as you read this.

The EVO37 was the brainchild of former European Rally Championship driver Luca Betti to create a tribute model to the 037, Lancia's weapon of choice in rallying in the early 1980s, defeating the all-wheel drive Audi Quattro in 1983 to win the World Rally Championship (WRC) It was the last two-wheel drive car to win the World Rally Championship (WRC), defeating the all-wheel drive Audi Quattro in 1983.

Like the original, the EVO37 started out as a tube-frame chassis loosely based on the Lancia Beta Monte Carlo (sold as the Scorpion in the US to avoid conflict with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo). Betti also hired some of the engineers who worked on the original 037, including engine developer Claudio Lombardi.

The engine itself was a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, just like the original. However, instead of the stock supercharger, a turbocharger and electric compressor were used. Power has been increased from the stock 205 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque to 505 hp and 406 lb-ft. The mid-mounted, longitudinally mounted engine sends power to the rear wheels via a manual or sequential gearbox.

Prices start at 480,000 euros (approximately $567,000 at current exchange rates), and production is limited to 37 units.

One wonders how many of those 37 customers already have Lancia Delta Futurista and New Stratos parked in their garages. The original 037 was an evolution of the Lancia Stratos and Delta Integrale rally cars, so the addition of the EVO 37 would be the perfect trifecta.