Cesare Fiorio & Sergio Limone: The Genesis of the Lancia Rally 037

The story of the Lancia Rally 037 is defined by two complementary figures: Cesare Fiorio, the strategic architect behind Lancia's competition program, and Sergio Limone, the chief engineer who translated that vision into a World Rally Championship-winning machine.

The Visionary Strategy: Cesare Fiorio

As the head of Squadra Corse HF Lancia, Cesare Fiorio recognized early on the profound shift introduced by the FIA's new Group B regulations for 1982. While competitors like Audi embraced all-wheel drive, Fiorio calculated that an ultra-lightweight, highly agile rear-wheel-drive platform could still dominate on specific terrain.

Fiorio's strength lay in organizational mastery and political maneuvering within the Fiat Group, securing the necessary resources from Abarth and Pininfarina to execute a dedicated homologation project in record time.

Technical Genius: Sergio Limone

Assigned as chief project engineer at Abarth (Project SE037), Sergio Limone designed the mechanical core of the car. Drawing inspiration from the Lancia Montecarlo silhouette, Limone engineered a tubular steel spaceframe subframe layout that allowed rapid mechanical servicing during rally service stops.

To overcome the turbo lag typical of early 1980s competition engines, Limone opted for a roots-type Volumex supercharger mated to the Aurelio Lampredi-designed twin-cam four-cylinder engine. This choice delivered instant throttle response and linear power distribution.

The 1983 Benchmark

Under Fiorio's sporting direction and built upon Limone's engineering foundation, the Lancia Rally 037 achieved what remains a unique milestone in motorsport history: securing the 1983 World Rally Championship Constructors' Title, making it the last rear-wheel-drive car ever to win the World Rally Championship against all-wheel-drive opposition.