In order to mark the 40th anniversary of one of its most evocative designs, Italdesign recently decided to throw a little party. To do so the coachbuilder assembled two-time WRC champion Miki Biasion, legendary automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and whole host of owners to pay homage to the iconic machine which connects them all: the Lancia Delta.
Despite being voted the 1980 European Car of the Year, the standard Lancia Delta was, in many respects, a rather unremarkable five-door hatchback - particularly by PH standards. The Delta HF Integrale which it later spawned, however, was quite the opposite, cementing the model's place in the history books as a world-beating, record-breaking motorsport hero.
It was behind the wheel of a Delta Integrale that Biasion won back to back WRC titles in 1988 and '89, victories which contributed to Lancia's unparalleled streak of six back-to-back Constructors Championships between 1987 and 1992. Then, coinciding with Juha Kankkunen's own second title in 1991, the company gave fans their best chance yet to own a vehicle directly connected to those driven by rally's stars of stage and screen.
The Delta HF Integrale 'Evoluzione' used the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor found in previous Deltas, though, thanks to features like an upgraded exhaust, output was increased to 210hp and 220lb ft. For drivers who could get the power down via the five-speed manual and all four wheels sufficiently skillfully, this was enough to propel the 1,449kg Evo to 62mph in 6.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 137mph.
To deal with the extra performance expected of a rally champion, the Evo's steering rack was strengthened, its suspension was uprated and larger brakes with dual-piston Brembo calipers were installed. The tracks were widened by 54mm and 60mm respectively front and rear, resulting in aggressively flared wheel arches and a purposeful stance which set the tone before a wheel had turned.
A new body kit including front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a vented bonnet, alternative rear doors, and a manually-adjustable roof spoiler completed the modifications. Then there were the Speedline wheels, which were of the same style as those worn by the rally cars and served to set the rest of the sporting features off. It was an irresistible combination.
Today, the model is widely appreciated, its classic status long since secured in the hearts, and wallets, of buyers. This Monza Red example with black leather and Alcantara interior seems reasonably priced - all things being relative - at a fiver under £40,000, then. The ad includes mention of a comprehensive service history and certificate of origin, too, as well as a recently replaced clutch, new cambelt, and £10,000 of work to return the car to "a very high standard", meaning the next keeper should hopefully avoid any nasty surprises.
The Evo 1 may not be the final Delta, but may be a more enticing proposition than the subsequent Evo 2 to some - as, due to Lancia's withdrawal from the sport as a manufacturer, that car was never developed into an actual rally machine. It also continues to represent one of the best ways to tick a multitude of bucket-list ownership boxes in one go, being as it is a motorsport-connected, classic Italian, all-wheel drive, manual, hot hatch poster car. So, what better way could there be to celebrate the Delta's 40th birthday, than to see what all the fuss is about for yourself?
SPECIFICATION - LANCIA DELTA HF INTEGRALE EVO 1
Engine: 1,995cc, 4-cyl, turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 210@5,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 220@3,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1991
Mileage: 85,000
Price new: N/A
Price now: £39,995
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