By Matt Bird / Thursday, November 23, 2023 / Loading Comments
Never before has the collective reminiscence of a car been so dominated by the reputation of a style as the Lancia Delta. It’s almost like saying without adding “Integrale” at the end, as if it were the only one that existed. Then maybe adding “Evo I”, “Evo II”, “Martini 5”, “Verde York”, “Club Italia”, “Edizione Finale”. . . You get the idea. For many, the Intégrale is the Lancia Delta, and vice versa.
And also for a clever reason. Turbocharged four-wheel-drive Lancia sedans dominated rallying for a long time and were adored by fast car enthusiasts for even longer; In fact, they still are. It can be argued that it was the original hyper-hatch, and it perfectly demonstrated why. Compact dimensions, turbo torque, intelligent visibility and all-wheel drive worked so well in Britain. It helped that it also looked like the company.
But the Delta had been around for years before the all-wheel-drive models were sold, as an undisputed family sedan like the VW Golf. Also, given the 1980s, Lancia’s idea of a hatchback version of the Delta might be a smart idea. . With turbo, of course, as was the taste of the time. And so, in 1985, the Delta HF was born. It was for High Fidelity, like a Stratos. The power of the 1. 6 induction reached 130 hp; Not much compared to the later 2. 0-liters, but enough to get by with anything this light. A Golf GTI Mk2 made 139 hp, it doesn’t. Then, in 1986, it became the Delta HF Turbo, ahead of the Delta HF 4WD, assuming the prestige of a leader and completely redefining the expectations of the most popular sedans (and rally cars).
This good example is a 1989 HF Turbo; It’s no wonder that when you look at the pictures you find the ad saying that this is an award-winning car. Actually, it’s hard to believe that many cars of any kind from 1989 look so smart, let alone what a run-of-the-mill hatchback would have been. The original owner, a member of the Lancia Car Club UK, seems like precisely the kind of user you’d need to love in a Delta; after buying it new from Bauer Millett in August 1989, they implemented rust coverage when it was two years old (the old smart days of build quality, eh), kept the car at all times in a specialist, logo, and kept each and every one of them. receipt. They owned the car from 1989 to 2022, and the effort put into keeping the Delta in the most productive condition imaginable is evident. In fact, it’s a credit for all the hard work.
With so few non-integral models (thanks to intelligence, they’ve been rot-proof), the little HF Turbo is even more attractive than ever. It’s ironic, of course, that the clever old front-wheel-drive 1. 6 is now less common. than the super-dumb homologation specials, however, that’s how Delta’s story evolved. Not too long ago, cars like this might not have saved value because they weren’t Integrals. Thankfully, that wouldn’t happen here with the original owner.
Value is POA, and you’d have to assume that such a well-maintained HF Turbo will now be safe in the four-wheel drive money. Probably, actually, it’s probably a very smart Integral silver. With a reputation for hero style that doesn’t budge an inch thanks to an overabundance of restomod homages, this Delta will have a specific appeal. But for anyone who understands, what an excellent example and opportunity there is here. Even the idler is on the right side.
Engine: 1,585 cc, turbocharged four-cylinder Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive Power (hp): at 5,500 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 141 at 3,500 rpm MPG: N/ACO2: N/AYAN Toothed: 1989 Registered mileage: 48,000 New Price: N/AVuster by: £POA
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