Lancia Delta HF Integrale
The Delta HF and its Integrale evolutions won six consecutive WRC manufacturers' titles (1987–1992) — the most successful car in world rally history — and turned a family hatchback into the definitive Group A weapon.
History
When Group B died, Lancia was readiest: the Delta HF 4WD, a genuine production car with turbocharged four and permanent all-wheel drive, was already homologated when Group A became the top class in 1987. It won the title immediately, and Abarth then evolved the platform relentlessly: the 8-valve Integrale (1988) brought wider arches and bigger brakes; the 16v (1989) raised power and lowered the bonnet line; the 'Evoluzione' (1992) widened tracks again with the definitive blistered silhouette.
Six consecutive manufacturers' championships (1987–1992) and drivers' titles for Juha Kankkunen (1987, 1991) and Miki Biasion (1988, 1989) built a record no rally car has matched — 46 WRC victories for the Delta family. Even after the works withdrawal, Jolly Club-run cars stayed competitive into 1993.
The road-car ladder (HF 4WD → 8v → 16v → Evo I/II, plus limited editions like the Martini 5 and 6) has become one of the strongest modern-classic markets in Europe. Genuine works rally chassis are Abarth-documented and heavily collected; well-built Group A replicas populate historic rallying, where the Integrale remains the benchmark late-Group A drive.
Palmarès
Six straight WRC manufacturers' titles (1987–92); drivers' championships 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991; 46 world rally victories including four Monte Carlos and wins on every surface the WRC visited; European titles and countless national championships. No other model line approaches its aggregate WRC record.
What to check before you buy
Road cars: rust is the ruthless filter — inspect turrets, sills, rear arches and the boot floor; verify matching numbers and the specific evolution (8v/16v/Evo values differ sharply, Evo II and limited editions at the top). Works competition cars are all documented through Abarth/Jolly Club records; anything 'ex-works' without that paper trail isn't. Group A replicas trade on build quality: engine builder, transmission specification (period dog-box vs modern) and shell preparation. Cambelt and transfer-box service history matters everywhere in the range — deferred maintenance is expensive.
Did you know
- The Evoluzione's widened arches exist because Group A rules tied track width to the road car — Lancia literally re-homologated bodywork so the rally car could run wider suspension.
- Biasion's 1988 season included winning Monte Carlo, Portugal, Acropolis and Sanremo — a percentage of season wins no driver bettered until the Loeb era.
- The final 'Edizione Finale' road cars of 1994 sold out before production ended; Lancia never replaced the Integrale, making it the marque's last world-beating model.
In the marketplace now
View all →No exact Lancia Delta HF Integrale listed right now — here is closely related machinery on the market.
