History 1970s

1976 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 23rd Acropolis Rally

Date: May 22–28, 1976

Host Country: Greece

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~2,700 km

Total Starters: 74 crews

Total Finishers: 19 crews

The 1976 Acropolis Rally once again proved itself one of the world’s roughest and most demanding events. With jagged rocks, oppressive dust, and scorching heat across Greek mountain roads, survival was often more important than outright speed. Harry Källström, expertly guided by Claes-Göran Andersson, piloted the Datsun 160J Violet to a calculated and durable victory—showcasing mechanical resilience and Scandinavian finesse under pressure.

Route

Mount Parnassus: Rocky climbs and descents with loose gravel and tire-shredding switchbacks.
Kalavryta Region: Fast but unpredictable—deep ruts and broken terrain punished low-clearance cars.
Dusty Plains: Near-zero visibility for following crews, requiring faith in pacenotes and timing precision.

The event started and ended in Athens, stretching across the Peloponnese and central Greece with grueling stages over mountains, valleys, and high-speed plains.

Hot, dry conditions created harsh dust clouds and visibility issues, while suspension and tire failures decimated the field throughout the weeklong rally.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Harry Källström & Claes-Göran Andersson · Datsun 160J Violet
2nd Place
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Michel Vial · Peugeot 504 V6
3rd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 131 Abarth

Källström’s blend of speed, caution, and deep rallying experience paid off, earning Datsun one of its most hard-fought victories in the punishing Greek terrain.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Rock Damage: Punctures, broken differentials, and smashed underbodies were common—even among front-runners.
  • Dust Management: Hanging powder limited visibility and coated filters and carburetors, straining engine reliability.
  • Extreme Heat: Temperatures over 35°C tested crew hydration and pushed cooling systems to the brink.

The 1976 Acropolis Rally was a battle of attrition—and Datsun’s strategic and rugged approach through Källström and Andersson earned them an iconic gravel triumph.

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