Our Cars: 1988 Lancia Delta Integrale 8V
1 May 2012: Lancia Delta Integrale joins the fleet
I blame going on photo shoots. A couple of months ago, I'd been working on a feature about Lancia Delta Integrales, surrounded by owners and three gorgeous examples shining under the studio lights. I'd been chatting to the Delta Club secretary JP Lithou, saying that always hankered after one of these cars, but circumstance had never been on my side. As I stared longingly at the 1988 8V, he said to me, 'I know where there's one for sale'.
My Delta is a 1988 8V, so it's the one that most people don't want, and it cost me a fraction of what you'd expect to pay for a well-sorted Evo.
They are always bad moments in a car enthusiast's life, as inevitability begins to kick in. Lust is followed by an option, and thanks to a little windfall, I had a little money order to fulfill that want. Oh dear. JP suggested I look at the ad in question, and give the seller a call. Basically, the car as presented on the Lancia Club Sport forum was being sold on the basis that it's cheap, it's paint is pink through oxidisation, and if no one buys it, the thing will be broken for spares.
I looked at the ad, and there were plenty of images of the body being rid of its rust, while there was also talk of rebuilt brakes, following being sat in storage for around a decade. It also mentioned that the car had a lengthy MoT, and had been serviced. It was a strange advert, but I was more than intrigued. I called the seller, and started chatting, asking all those questions one should ask - and very quickly, it became clear that the chap knew what he was talking about. I arranged to look at the car the following day - nothing like striking while the iron was hot - and took his details.
The next day, I turned up at Lewis Rally Sport's premises, and my hunch was right. Warner Lewis builds rally cars for a living, and has some pretty high profile customers. As you can see from the image above, they include Toyota. Yes, the Toyota.
I took a quick look, chatted about the car, and shook hands. The car was mine. But as we continued to chat about Warner's business, I said, 'do you spray cars?'. We walked through to his spray shop... and I knew the problem of the faded paint was going to be easily sorted. A little more money changed hands, and we agreed that I take the car later, with a fresh coat of Russo Red. A little more, and we agreed to get the wheels refurbed and sprayed.
And so it is - two months later, I now have a Lancia Delta Integrale in my garage. Warner has done a brilliant job with the car, and it's a brilliant reflection of his diligent approach to working - being so much more than I ever expected it would be. It's a 1988 8V, so it's the one that most people don't want, and it cost me a fraction of what you'd expect to pay for a well-sorted Evo. It has less than 90,000 miles on the clock, has a full service history, and by and large is fundamentally sound. It could do with a new tailgate, fresh tyres and a full valet, but I'm more than happy with my Italian Stallion. It's a very different beast to the car it's going to replace, my Rover SD1, but I suspect it's going to be even more high maintenance.
The only difference is that it's a mighty driver's car, with more '80s Kudos than you can shake a stuick at. It's going to be exciting - and I can't wait.
Warner Lewis cut out the sill, and replaced it.
Cutting out the rust from the door bottom
New sill fitted
Back in one piece, getting ready for paint.
Back together, and this is how it looked when keith Adams bought it - before the respray. You can't see just how faded it was in this shot.
Only for Warner Lewis to start stripping it again for paint...
Back in the spray booth, and Warner applies a new coat of Rosso Red.
Wheels after a refub - white replaced by grey and polished rims, apeing the standard set-up.
All finished - before polishing...
And after...
Later: Disaster at the first service... »
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