1987 to 1992. Six whole years. Crossing not only into a new decade but spanning an era which saw the World Rally Champion go from its darkest days to capturing the hearts of speed fans all over the world, and it owes it all to the Lancia Delta’s six-year dominance. It is, without question, the sport’s most successful car, a car seemingly built to navigate the sharpest hairpins, carve through mud-clad forests and glide across sand dunes like it’s a stretch of perfectly laid tarmac. With each year, and often every rally, the Delta’s appearance would change, showcased perfectly by this incredible trio available at Autoluce Modena.
1988 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 8V
Starting with the elder of the trio, this example was in fact the Michelin test car for 1988, driven to its limited by tester Lele Pinto and champion Markku Alén. Initially spending its life along the dirt trails of Portugal and the island of Elba, the car was later sold to Jolly Autosport, which would see it claim victories at Valli Imperiesi in 1992 and 1993.
1989 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 8V
A year later, this stunning Delta HF Integrale 8V would come into the picture, Abarth’s Martini rally team were busy preparing six brand new Delta’s for the 1989 season, this very example being set up as a rocket ship on tarmac. All six cars made a decisive contribution to the development of the technical innovations introduced for the new season, returning impressive results that culminated in the 3rd World Constructors' Title for Lancia. Prepped specifically for the Monte Carlo Rally, complete with some of the coolest race wheels we’ve ever seen on a car, the Delta would be piloted by the legendary Miki Biasion and co-driver Tiziano Siviero, who would go on to win the World Rally Championship of 1989.
1990 Lancia Delta 2.0 8V Integrale Gr. A 'Safari'
Finally, we reach the Delta in its most rugged form, built specifically for the 1990 Safari Rally. This torturous event tested drivers, teams and of course, the cars to their absolute limits, trudging through glue-like mud pits, water deeper than most swimming pools and the constant threat of kamikaze animals crossing the stage. Interestingly, this very car is the subject of a major controversy surrounding the Safari rally it entered. This example was a ‘chase car’, essentially set up as a rolling workshop for the team to syphon parts from should they run into difficulty along the gruelling rally. According to Autoluce, it is plausible to think that this very car was the subject of the much-discussed ‘car change’ during the rally, which effectively allowed Juha Kankkunen and co-driver Juha Piironen to resume the competition after the numerous problems they faced along the route.
All special in their own way, this trio of Lancia Deltas showcase the brand’s utter brilliance during their prime, an era where every other rival could only sit back in amazement at how agile and fast the Deltas were, on any surface. Owning this trio is therefore an absolute must-have for any rally lover!
