...my head literally just f*ucking exploded
Kidding. Very few people have. They've gone rhe way of Tucker, etc. They were the *ultimate* (lazy) performance manufacturer.
Started in 1907 by a few Fiat employees. Lancia is the only reason you have unibody, overdrive, 12v electronics, and so many inventions that I don't even know where to start. First company to dual charge an engine. Man the innovations.
Italian car company that was focused on research and development and innovation. They invented what we would consider the modern car in the 1920s. They were always the fastest production cars the year they were built - they'd wipe their ass with a Lamborghini and then have lunch. For half the cost.
Definitely worth researching. To this day, cars like the Stratos and 037 are slightly beyond the skill set of most professional drivers.
Been in and around them since 2008. Dismissed them as ugly Italian rot boxes at first. Then you hear one. Changes everything.
The Stratos:
I think it's what drew me to the square body Rangers so much. Light, (can be made) quick, twitchy, always trying to kill you. Love it.