Panos Panayiotou

Panos Panayiotou has purchased the HF2000 built by Don Bunn, and has shipped it out to Cyprus where he intends to use it to compete in some sprints. Due to the temperatures in Cyprus, he hopes to fit it with an air-conditioning system soon.

An article describing the build of the car by its previous owner, Don Bunn, is reproduced below.

Don drives his dream machine

(Extract from TSB Staff Magazine, March 1991)

Bored by bland tin boxes? Fancy having something more exciting? Don Bunn did, and it only took him 3 years to build!

While lesser mortals in search of an easy life tend towards the local Ford dealership with strict instructions not to come back with anything painted red, Don Bunn has been assembling a faithful copy of that most famous rally car of the 70s - The Lancia Strato's - designed by Bertone from his initial concept.

A consultant in business analysis, Don began this automotive escapade after a visit to a kitcar show in 1986. Here he caught his first glimpse of the Transformer Strato's, a DIY replica of the first car designed for one purpose - to win the World Rally Championship.

This it did in 1974, 75,76, and in addition won 5 Monte Carlo rallies.

The kit made by Transformer Cars (now Hawk Cars), with tacit approval by Lancia, is as near as Don could get to the real thing with the added advantage of being considerably cheaper. Once driven he was forever smitten.

Don started the project in March 1987, since when he has spent over 1200 hours building it. £4,500 bought the unique bodyshell, chassis, suspension, and vast wraparound windscreen, while a rusty but low mileage Lancia Beta was acquired to supply the engine, gearbox, and certain other parts.

"Far from sacrificing originality, this was very much in keeping with the proper Strato's. Bertone's policy at the time was to use production line components wherever practical", said Don.

After all, only 500 were planned to be made. (492 is the best count yet).

"I tried to get odd from scrapyards, but actually most of the components are new. The steering rack is ex-Triumph Herald, which sounds alarming, but is actually an excellent alternative to the original."

The original Strato's was powered by a Ferrari V6, but Don's budget understandably could not stretch to that, so the Beta's 2.0 litre DOHC engine, suitably tweaked, was dropped in instead.

"Perhaps not quite up to the power of the Ferrari, but still good for well over 120mph", said Don with a grin. "When you're old and decrepit, you don't want to go too fast."

All the instruments are original. Don has spent considerable time and money rummaging through the dusty shelves of Lanci parts suppliers.

Over 3 years, and £13000 later, the car passed its first MOT, but not without drama. During the test the massive single windscreen wiper demonstrated an enthusiasm for cleaning the bonnet instead of the glass.

"Amusing and surprisingly effective," swore Don, "but sadly illegal." A simple modification, and Don was in possession of the precious certificate.

Driving it is an experience. First you have to get into it, which means modifying your body into the shape of a granny knot. Once wedged securely in the grey leather bucket seats, your head buttressed by the tubular rollover cage, you are struck by how low the car is.

Start it up, and the car certainly sounds the part, the engine emitting a throaty growl. The suspension seems hard at first, cat's eyes causing vertebrae to count themselves off by numbers. But with an increase in speed, all is sweetness and light.

No rattles, apart from the loose joints, and no wind roar unless you find yourself going very fast. even then the car's rallying roots enable it to corner as if on rails.

But what made Don take on such a project, when he could have spent the same money on a Lotus or a Porsche?

"It's much more satisfying to build your own toys," explained Don, "and he who dies with the most toys, wins. Anyway, it seemed cheaper at the time."

Don intends to use his Strato's as his everyday transport to and from work, so keep a look out for it in the car park.

As yet Don is not enjoying the open road as much as he thought he would. Instead he's been seen in his dining room at home sporting overalls and wielding a paintbrush. After 3 years working on "That Thing" (as his wife christened it at a rolling out party) it's her turn to have things done.