1989 Lancia Delta HF Turbo – Project Profile
July 27, 2023
There is something very special about the Lancia Delta. This of course relates to its rallying past, because like all amazing rally cars, the model on which the competition was based was, well, a bit naff. And before you start typing an angry email, hear us out. The Ford Escort WRC was, well, an Escort. Rubbish. Have you ever driven a non-turbo 1.6 Impreza? Dreadful. A base spec Lancer? Trust us, you’d rather walk. And the same went for the Lancia Delta. It was a fairly dull machine without any speed parts. It’s why the stock models are all but forgotten, while the famous HF and Integrale versions live on under the umbrella of huge values.
We, however, have found an exception to that rule. It’s a 1989 Lancia Delta HF 1.6 Turbo. It might not be as fast, or as four wheel-drive as an Integrale or Evo, but it is RHD, which makes it incredibly rare, it hasn’t dissolved, which makes it even rarer still and because it’s a project, you might not need to sell a kidney in order to own it. It’s a glorious thing, and if this writer had the money, he’d be bidding on it, too. This, thanks to the blower, has a genuine link to the world of rally, and thanks to its rarity and UK configuration, it’s arguably more desirable, special and captivating than the bigger power versions.
What is it?
As we touched on, this right here is a 1989 Lancia Delta HF 1.6 Turbo. Being a 1989 model, it’s both a face-lift version, with bigger bumpers, and it’s also the last version of the FWD HF. Lancia made some changes, but they were mostly visual. A three-spoke steering wheel, twin wing mirrors (the luxury), red HF Turbo script on the sides, rear and grill (though this one seems to be missing the grille one) and those gorgeous eight-hole Cromodora alloy wheels, which – while they’ll want changing – are on the correct Pirelli tyres.
Mechanically, the suspension is stiffer, the steering a bit tighter and as such, the handling was that little bit sharper. Under the front-hinged bonnet, you’ll fine 130 or so horsepower via a 1.6 four-cylinder engine with a Garrett TBO-225 turbocharger, air-to-air heat exchange and a blow-through Weber carb and Marelli Microplex ignition with pre-ignition control. This all sends power to front wheels via a crisp ZF five-speed manual transmission.
Why is it a project?
This Lancia Delta needs a light restoration, really. It’s been off the road, and carefully dry-stored since 1997. The current owner bought in 2020, keen to not miss such an opportunity, but sadly they just don’t have the time to give the car the love it needs. It should be taken as a non-runner at present, though it was last believed to mover under its own power in ’18. It will need a full mechanical overhaul by all accounts, new tyres, new brakes and bushes and the fuel system will need refurbishing. However, the car has only covered 64k, so it’s not even broken in yet. The best bit, however, is that this particular Delta seems to be rock solid. Remarkable for any Delta, let alone a UK one. The were so, so prone to rust. A pillars, bulkhead, sills, boot floor, cabin floors, nothing was off limits for the rust. This one, however, seems to be very solid. There is some remedial work, protection and paint to sort, but you’re not going to need to buy four miles of welding wire.
What should you look for?
Happily, this 1989 Lancia Delta HF Turbo is on Car & Classic Auctions, meaning we have seen the car and for you, we have taken over 200 pictures. You can pore over these in detail – as every one is worth a thousand words, so they say – before sticking a bid in. Marvel at the solid nature of this Italian beast, look at that welcoming interior, have a read of the paperwork. We’ve covered it all.
What should you do with it?
Restore it. This is not a car to be made into some sort of rally replica, it’s not a track day toy, it shouldn’t – in our eyes – be modified. This is a unicorn of a car, one that will not be repeated. Solid, rare UK specification, low miles, a clearly cherished if for the last couple of decades, idle life. This is a car that needs to be saved and celebrated, not teased and twisted into some sort of crude rally pastiche. Or just get a Martini wrap – we can’t tell you what do! Other than, you know, bid!
