In the World Rally Championship record books, no single vehicle or manufacturer has been more dominant than the Lancia Delta. Winning the championship from 1987 through 1992, this tops every winning streak by other big hitters: Subaru, Peugeot and Citroen included.
Being able to meet the actual race-winning vehicle is special in any circumstance, but to be able to photograph and document the vehicle in detail is beyond special.
It is inspiring to see the Lancia Delta in its full Martini Racing livery, even today almost thirty years later. Inspiration from the Lancia Delta Integrale formula spanned the globe after its dominating six-time winning streak. It is no coincidence that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX STi would materialize in the mid-1990s using almost the exact template pioneered by the front-engine, all-wheel-drive turbo hero shown here. Unlike the Audi Quattro and Sport Quattro, the Lancia Delta Integrale proved that the formula would work for almost the most hum-drum of hatchbacks, not just exotic premium sports-coupes.
The rest, as they say, is history.
1988 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 8V
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.