Unsurprisingly, the Lancia LC2 tore through the competition during its career from 1983 to 1986, securing an impressive 13 pole positions and 11 fastest laps. In the 1983 Le Mans qualifying, the LC2 was a jaw-dropping 11 seconds quicker than the best Porsche on the grid. Talk about turbocharged dominance! However, with great power came great responsibility, and reliability was a bit of an Achilles’ heel. The LC2 only managed to clinch three race wins out of the seven cars built (victories at Imola, Kyalami, and Spa). On two occasions, the mighty Porsche 956 didn’t even make it to the starting line, and the Spa victory was tinged with sorrow as the race was stopped early out of respect for the late Stefan Bellof, who had tragically lost his life on the track.

Now, let’s address the hiccups faced by the LC2 on its roaring journey to glory. The Ferrari engine, while ferocious, also guzzled more fuel than desired (leading to a later switch back to a 3-liter variant with Magneti-Marelli ignition). And then there was the issue of chaotic organization. The tire manufacturer changed more often than a chameleon’s colors, going from Pirelli to Dunlop to Michelin. At times, wheels seemed to have a mind of their own, deciding to part ways with the cars mid-race. Oh, and let’s not forget the rather awkward episode at Brands Hatch, where the two leading Lancia cars managed to dance off the track together.

Despite the challenges, the LC2 remained a force to be reckoned with. Lancia, however, decided to call it quits at the end of 1986, though some customer teams soldiered on with the LC2 until 1991, though with no major successes.

Presenting two shining examples of the legendary LC2, LC2-0001 and LC2-0007 (officially the last car built, but rumor has it that Lancia sneaked in two more chassis for private customers). Both of these beauties found new homes through Girardo & Co. LC2-0001, logically the firstborn, made its debut alongside the Lancia Rally 037 in February 1983. It faced a tough battle at Le Mans in ’83 but roared to a second-place finish at Kyalami in 1984, now packing an 800 hp 3-liter variant. Meanwhile, LC2-0007 was the grand finale, boasting over 800 hp and setting the fastest race lap an impressive three times in its three races. It also scored pole positions twice and graced the podium with its presence.

In the annals of motorsport history, the Lancia LC2 remains an awe-inspiring chapter. A true beast on the track, with the heart of a Ferrari and the soul of a speed demon, the LC2 will forever be remembered as a force to be reckoned with in the golden era of Group C racing.