1995 Lancia Delta Integrale

This is a phenomenally good example of the model and one that has had over £90,000 spent on it in the 25 years it’s been in the vendor’s ownership.

When it left the factory in 1995 the car was ‘Ruby Red’ and had a black leather interior.

Today it has a tan leather interior and is in the simply fabulous Ferrari colour of ‘Rosso Fuoco’ – a shade that really pops and sings in the sunshine like virtually nothing else we’ve encountered.

The car left Italy in 1999, when the vendor bought it from Zagato Lancia of London and had it UK registered for the first time.

After living with the vendor in Lincolnshire for a while, the car then moved with him to the Isle of Man late in 2002, since when it has had eye-watering amounts of care, time and money lavished upon it as part of the vendor’s quest to make it the best possible version of itself and absolutely one of the finest Integrales you’ll find anywhere outside of a museum.

In addition to the bare metal respray, restoration and rebuild documented in an accompanying photo album, the car has had a new crankshaft and bearings, and a fulI cylinder head and engine rebuild.

It has also had a new performance intercooler, turbo, manifold and stainless-steel exhaust system fitted – all done by Lancia specialists.

The files of invoices attest to the huge amounts of other work (brakes, clutch, suspension, electrics, badging, etc, etc) done to this Integrale over the years.

The result is a superbly fettled and tuned car that starts, accelerates, handles and grips even better than it looks – and it looks simply stunning.

Today, the odometer reads 135,282 kms. 

In 2001, it was recorded as being 96,839 kms so, as you can see, it’s been used pretty sparingly in the intervening years.

Once you’ve stopped staring open-mouthed at the car’s gleaming, shimmering Rosso Fuoco paintwork, you’ll have a chance to compose yourself and observe, as we’re sure you will, that the bodywork is in very fine condition indeed.

The car’s steroidal bulges and curves are happily free of any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds that we can see and the doors close with plenty of weight, authority and precision. 

The very handsome Speedline Corse wheels, which were refurbished a few years ago, are in excellent condition and the matching Michelin Pilot Sport tyres look to have plenty of life left in them.

The lights, lenses, badging, trim and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all in very good order.

There are a couple of small patches of cracked paint at the end of the roof gutters above the ‘C’ pillars.

There are one or two small scuffs on the nearside ‘A’ pillar and a slight blemish on the roof above it, plus a crack in the paint at the top of the offside ‘A’ pillar.

Beyond that, the car just has an entirely normal number and scattering of light scuffs and small stone chips in the usual places – the ‘nose’ of the car, the front valance, and the forward-facing aspects of the car’s muscular haunches.

It’s a similar story of excellent preservation and careful curation on the inside.

In fact, it’s so good it’s almost in time-warp condition.

The tan leather upholstery appears to be largely untroubled by use or abuse, both front and back.

Indeed, the only sign of ageing we could find was a little bit of wear to the outer bolster on the driver’s seat back-rest. 

The beige Alcantara headlining is in fine fettle, as are the carpets and mats.

The door cards have survived the vicissitudes of time with commendable stoicism and look pretty much factory-fresh.

The refreshingly analogue instrument binnacle is untroubled by any blemishes and, as far as we’re aware, all buttons, toggles, switches, dials and knobs do what they’re asked to do without complaining.

The Momo steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake are all beyond reproach.

The rear luggage space is following the same script as the rest of the car, although we did notice that the parcel shelf seemed to be loose and unattached where it meets the back of the rear seats.

The drivers window occasionally requires help in going up, and there is a warning light on indicating the drivers side rear door is open, althoigh it is fully closed.

We noticed a small, shallow dink to the black dashboard trim just to the left of the glove compartment – but, frankly, we’re just nit-picking now.

The engine bay is 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 throughout.

The car has benefitted from several upgrades over the years, including but not limited to, full group A strengthening kit, brand new Coil over adjustable suspension, a brand new 3 inch Walkers stainless steel exhaust system.

This car comes with three thick files of invoices, receipts and bills, plus a photographic record of its shell-up respray, restoration and rebuild.

It also comes with a clear HPI report and several sets of keys.

It was last serviced and fettled in October 2023.

We think this has to be one of the very best Integrales out there – both aesthetically (just look at it) and dynamically.

Owned for 25 years by a man who never once compromised on the car’s maintenance and upkeep, it has been sensitively enhanced and improved mechanically, where appropriate, and the full-body strengthening kit will future-proof it against the known flexing and cracking problems that so often befall less fortunate examples.

This one will deservedly turn heads and win hearts wherever it goes.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £80,000 - £90,000.

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’.