Lancia Delta HPE HF 16v Turbo

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Launched in 1979, the first Lancia Delta was a crisply styled five-door hatchback, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, that was voted Car of the Year in 1980 for its mix of nimble handling and sharp good looks.

However, it wasn\'t until 1986 that the Delta began to get really interesting when the HF Turbo was launched, featuring four-wheel drive and a 165bhp 1600cc turbo-charged engine. Over the next few years this little road rocket was quickly developed into an unbeatable rally weapon that was to dominate the international rally scene for the next decade. In the hands of drivers like Juha Kankkunen and Miki Biasion, the Delta Integrale made mincemeat of the best that the rest of the world’s motor manufacturers could throw at it.

Built between 1993 and 1999, the Nuova Delta (Type 836) was the last Lancia produced with the coveted HF badge and followed in the footsteps of the mighty Delta Integrale Evo, using the same Lampredi-derived twin cam engine with 16 valves and a turbocharger. Producing 190bhp and 214lb/ft in standard tune, it could sprint to 60mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 138mph. Only sold in mainland Europe and never officially available in the UK, all models were left-hand drive.

Dating from the last year of production, this 1999 car has the later 3-door HPE body which was fully galvanized by this stage, hence the rust-free condition. It also has the nice black leather/tan alcantara high back sports seats which were only fitted to the last few cars, plus the highly sought-after 16” Speedline alloys as fitted to the Evo Integrales, shod with good tyres with plenty of tread.

It was imported to the UK from Switzerland earlier this year (with all duties paid) and has thus spent virtually all its life in a country where what would count as a trivial fault over here would get your car condemned to the scrapheap over there! It has covered under 92,000 miles and comes with all its original handbooks and a stamped up service history. Earlier this year it had four new coil springs, new handbrake cables and brake pads, downpipe, track rod ends and a service.

Totally standard apart from an Alpine stereo and privacy glass in the rear windows, it is said to drive beautifully in all departments with an MOT until the end of July next year. Supplied with a working remote key and the red second key it has had from new, this rare and interesting road rocket is ready for a new owner to enjoy right away.

AMENDMENT: Please note that the service book for this car could not be located in time for the auction.