Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. First seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1979, the Lancia Delta Integrale is best-known for its domination of the World Rally Championship in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Constantly being developed, the first ‘Evoluzione’ cars were built at the end of 1991 and carried on through 1992 and these Evo models were to be the final homologation cars built for the Lancia Rally Team competing under the Martini Racing banner.
Arriving in June 1993, a further development of the HF Integrale naturally became known as the 'Evo II', and featured an updated version of the 2-litre 16-valve turbo engine producing a little more power (215bhp) and incorporated a three-way catalyst and a Lambda probe, with everything being run by a new Marelli integrated engine control system. Only 4, 223 cars were ever built for the global market and the car is now regarded, like several previous Lancia models such as the Fulvia, Stratos and 037, as 'Rally Royalty'.
Classically finished in Monza Red with a Beige Alcantara interior, this remarkable 1993 Delta Integrale Evo II was originally supplied to Japan and was first registered there on 1/ 11/ 1993. Whilst in, Japan it’s believed to have been enjoyed by two collector owners and pleasingly, it’s still accompanied by a full set of Japanese books and records including the service history and the relevant Export Certificate.
The car was subsequently imported to the UK in 2016 and was sold through Silverstone Auctions before passing through the hands of Avantgarde Classics and the Hairpin Company, becoming the property of its current enthusiast owner in 2020. Between 2017 and 2022 it was maintained and mechanically recommissioned by marque experts Zagato Lancia, Tanc Barrett and a French specialist with attention to the suspension, auxiliaries and belt changes. All this work is fully detailed in the car’s history file which contains service and maintenance invoices covering this period. It was most recently serviced in 2023 with only minimal mileage since.
At the time of photography, the odometer indicated just 43, 500km (27, 030 miles) and the little Lancia’s condition can only be described as exceptional. The paintwork remains bright and unmarked, as is the Alcantara interior with even the seat bolsters looking fresh. The engine bay is clean and tidy and consistent with the indicated mileage and there is no evidence of external rust anywhere. Descriptions within the history file include “one of the best we have seen”, “close to perfect” and “as close to a ‘reference’ Evo II as it’s possible to get” all suggesting that this very low mileage ‘Evoluzione’ has been cherished from new.
The second-generation Evo is particularly topical at the moment and collectors are constantly seeking exceptional examples which this car firmly represents. The market for Integrales of all types continues to firm, and this superb example, in striking Monza Red with remarkably low mileage, deserves your consideration.
