1993 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2

Built in Italy in 1993, this quite superb car stayed in that country until, we think, early 2000.

It then came to the UK and was registered here for the first time on 18.8.2000.

While the car was still living la dolce vita in the Bolzano region of the Italian South Tyrol, the odometer was recoded as reading 74,311 kms.

When it arrived in the UK a year or two later in 2000, it had clocked up 88,553 kms.

In 2002 the figure was 93,112 kms, and in 2017 it had risen to 131,178 kms.

Today, the odometer reads 138,245 kms.

It next appeared for sale in the pages of Extreme Power magazine (12.9.2000), with a listing that stated the following:

“Stunning in white (with a beige interior) with Alcantara high-backed Recaro seats, air conditioning, electric windows, central locking, ABS, PAS, alloy wheels, roof spoiler, adjustable suspension, front fog lamps, adjustable headlamps, stereo, alarm, full service history….unbelievable performance and handling, totally un-abused throughout….original condition.” 

Frankly, we wouldn’t disagree with any of that, even 24 years later.

The car’s next owner was a member of the Strathclyde Fire Brigade, and the car comes with a thick wad of bills, receipts and invoices (mostly from Italian car specialists Parks of Hamilton), attesting to work carried out while it was in his stewardship.

The current vendor has had the Integrale since 2021, but circumstances have changed and it needs to be sold.

We have driven this time-warp condition Integrale and can report that, even 31 years after it left the factory, it still feels like a properly quick and hugely capable car.

It goes about its urgent, sporty business with a rare and potent combination of power, agility, poise and balance that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

This is a seriously good car to drive.

It also feels solid and properly screwed-together, and that’s not something that’s always said about these cars.

The bodywork is entirely beyond reproach.

There are no creases, dimples, ripples, cracks, dinks or dents of any significance anywhere that we’ve seen.

The car’s trademark steroidal bulges and swellings are apparently untroubled either by use or the passage of time.

The ‘Monte Carlo’ wheels, which were refurbished in 2009, are in fine condition, although two of the ‘Lancia’ centre caps have seen better days.

The wheels are shod in Michelin Pilot 3 rubber at the front and Toyo Proxes at the rear, which may or may not have been a deliberate choice (to give certain handling/grip characteristics) by the penultimate owner. Either way, they’ve got plenty of life left in them as far as we can see.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are crisp, even and consistent, and the doors close with a weight and precision normally associated with products from Zuffenhausen or Stuttgart.

The badging, lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings all appear to be in good order.

Aside from one or two tiny stone chips in the usual places there’s really not much by way of faults and blemishes to write about.

We found a couple of light scratches on the roof, and a few instances of lumpy or missing paint on the black surrounds to the windows.

There a couple of small spots of micro-blistering at the top of the hatchback door and some paint over-run - or possibly a small spot of bubbling - at the top of the ‘C’ pillar by the end of the roof gutter on the nearside.

There is a little surface corrosion to be seen on the nuts and bolts of the adjustable rear spoiler.

The only other thing we spotted was a small gap between the rear of the sill cover and the front of the rear wheel arch on the offside. 

The interior of this very fine car is every bit a match for its exterior counterpart.

Time has been kind to it wherever you look and it has clearly had the good fortune to be owned by a succession of careful and cossetting curators throughout its life.

The beige Alcantara upholstery has held up well and only on the squabs of the front Recaro seats are there any signs of wear.

The rear seats look as if they’ve only rarely encountered any kind of human form.

The door cards, Alcantara headlining, carpets and mats all look indecently well-preserved and belie both their age and the odometer reading.

The Momo ‘Corsa’ steering wheel looks practically factory-fresh. 

Ditto the handbrake, gear lever, pedals and other controls.

The all-analogue dials recessed in a deep-set binnacle are truly a sight for sore eyes - if your eyes are as old as ours.

The vendor tells us that, as far as he’s aware, everything works, although he’s of the opinion that the air-conditioning is a little timid. He has recently replaced the indicator stalk.

The luggage bay is in impressive order and contains a space-saver wheel and a car cover. 

The engine bay looks clean, dry and tidy, and everything seems to be in its right and proper place. 

The undersides look to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity and nothing we’ve seen has given us any reason to tut or raise an eyebrow.

Clearly, you’ll want to take a look for yourself and reach your own conclusion.

This car comes with a UK V5 and its original handbooks, manuals and (stamped) service history books.

There are plenty of bills, receipts and invoices covering routine maintenance, servicing and repair work. 

It also comes with a more recent receipt (Feb 2024) for £2,357 from RT Mechanics of Haslemere, Surrey, covering a service, the replacement of the rear hangers, and some welding around the towing eye, among numerous other items. 

The car’s MoT - with no advisories - is valid until 14.3.25.

The Lancia Delta Integrale achieved legendary, iconic status well within its own lifetime - and that’s a very rare occurrence.

Many Integrales have followed the well-trodden path of so much Italian automotive exotica of the day and are now small mounds of oxidised dust on a landfill site somewhere.

This one is more than just a survivor.

It’s an exemplar.

Fabulous to look at, listen to and drive, it leaves you in no doubt just how ground-breaking and special these true drivers’ cars were - and remain.

You'll struggle to find many better than this.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £75,000 - £85,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.