One to Buy: 23,000km from new 1 of 400 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione Martini 5
To keep the ageing but effective HF Integrale ahead of the competition for what would be the Delta’s fifth season in the World Rally Championship, Lancia produced their most extreme iteration of the car yet: the Evoluzione.
The suspension, brakes, wheels and steering all came in for attention while re-mapped engine management software boosted power by 5%. Cosmetically, bigger wheelarch extensions, deeper side skirts, improved cooling solutions and an adjustable rear spoiler gave the Evoluzione an even more aggressive appearance.
In terms of driveability and roadholding, the revamped model was a big step forward.
To help boost sales, several special editions were produced, the first of which to arrived was the Martini 5 in January 1992. 400 were built to celebrate Lancia’s 1991 World Rally Championship (the fifth consecutive time a Delta had secured the Manufacturer’s title).
Each car was painted white with body-coloured wheels and Martini stripes to the flanks and tailgate. New high-backed HF-embossed Recaro front seats were upholstered in black alcantara with red stitching. Red seat belts were fitted and each car received a numbered plaque on the centre console plus a ‘World Rally Champion’ badge on the tailgate.
One of these 400 desirable Martini 5 editions is currently on offer as part of Issimi’s North American listings.
Originally delivered new to Japan, this exceptional California-registered example (chassis ZLA831AB000568599) has covered just over 21,000km from and must rank among the finest examples in existence.
In addition to the 16-inch wheels currently fitted, the car is supplied with the original 15-inch rims plus the original book pack and jack.
Reprinted below is Issimi’s description for this outstanding Evoluzione special edition:
21,000km California Titled and Registered Integrale Evo 1 Martini 5
Unequivocally among the greatest rally cars of all time, the Lancia Delta won the World Rally Championship no fewer than six times, a feat no other car equalled before or since. After a series of fatal accidents highlighted the dangers of the legendary and largely unrestricted Group B cars, the FIA replaced it with Group A, which proved to be a much safer formula. Lancia just happened to have a car that was ideally suited to the new rules in their Delta HF 4WD, which began winning immediately. From there, they hastily developed the HF 4WD into the Integrale, creating an icon in the process, one which won every year from 1987 to 1992.
Group A rules required 5,000 roadgoing examples to be built, and enthusiasts were happy to buy them. The Integrale was continuously developed to remain competitive in racing, and these improvements made their way into the road cars as well. 4 valve heads were introduced in 1989, and then two Evoluzione versions followed after that. The Evo I and Evo II versions were similar, although the II gained a catalyzed engine. In 1992, Lancia released the Martini 5 limited edition of 400 cars to celebrate the car’s 5th world championship, expecting it would be their last, only to be surprised when the car won a 6th world championship in the hands of privateers later that year.
This particular Integrale is likely the only California titled and registered example in existence, having recently completed the long and arduous BAR certification process. Aside from this extraordinary characteristic, the car is an exceedingly nice example, having covered just 21,000 kilometers from new. The car was originally sold in Japan and comes with documentation from its life there, before being exported to Spain and then the United States, where it arrived in 2019. Since then, it has been serviced, including new shock absorbers, shift bushings, oil change, alignment, and a few other jobs. The car currently sits on 16 inch wheels and the original 15 inch wheels are included with it. Also present with the car are considerable documentation, tools, jack, and car cover.
Price: $185,000
