Stola S81 (2000)

Designer: Marcello Gandini

Founded in 1919, Stola has enjoyed a century of success in design and prototyping despite its rather low profile. Stola’s relationship with Gandini had begun in the late 1980s with the development of the Bugatti EB110. In 1996 Stola decided to start producing concept cars to promote its skills; four years later, at the 2000 Turin Salon, the S81 was unveiled.

As it was 30 years since Gandini’s original Stratos design was shown he was asked to do a 21st century version of that car. The result was a non-running prototype designed to accommodate a mid-mounted Maserati V8 from the Quattroporte.