Spotted: Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione III
Unique Integrale up for sale, at a price
![](http://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/3460/3460480-1.jpg)
You'll already know the road-going 8V specification with 185hp (1987 on), the 16V with 200hp (1989 on) and the Evoluzione specials, the 210hp Evo I (1992) and the 215hp cat-equipped Evo II (1993). These wider track, flared arched, big-rimmed, boost-hiked, suspension-tweaked, flash interiored Evo models were the ultimate in 'che bello' Integrale. Or so most believe...
Actually, there was a number of limited edition Evoluzione Integrales (weirdly mostly released in car-loathing Switzerland); the Sedici, Gialla, Blu and Lagos editions, and these are mucho rare.
But not as rare as this ultra exclusive Integrale - the one and only EVO III, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione III 'Viola,' built by Italian coachbuilders, Maggiora, in Summer 1994.
Never heard of Maggiora carrozzeria? Shame on you. Created in 1925 and running until closure in 2003, the Maggiora family created some of the best Italian manufacturer special editions for Fiat (Barchetta, 1100 Viotti, Puntograle, 1500), De Tomaso (Pantera & Mangusta), Maserati (Mistral), Alfa Romeo (2000 Spider) and Lancia (B20, Kappa Coupe, Thesis Coupe, Flaminia). Maggiora took over the Lancia Chivasso factory in 1992, as the last Integrale Evoluzione IIs ran off the line, including their own super rare specials: Rosa Pink, Bronze Evo, Biana Evo, La Perla and a gorgeous Black Edition, built for the daughter of the chief Greek Lancia dealer.
When Lancia sadly stopped Integrale production in 1994, Bruno Maggiora decided to pick up the mantle and build a perfect version - and this is it.
The striking Viola paintwork (think The Joker's pants, done by Italian paintworks PPG) was not the only modification over standard Evo II spec. Magnesium 17-inch multi-spoke wheels from MIM/Tecnomagnesio adorned this one-off, shod in 215/40ZR17 Pirelli P-Zero rubber. A Maggiora plaque sat proudly by the side indicators and on the hand-made carbon fibre centre console, with a beige Alcantara interior from the last EVO IIs.
And it wasn't all Italian chic styling either. Mechanically, this unique EVO III was the peak of Deltas to date. The 2.0-litre engine had a bespoke Weber-Marelli fuel injection system, with an I.A.W P8 integral engine management re-map, raising boost pressure on the Garrett T03 turbo over 1.0 bar, taking power to 237hp (now 2,500rpm higher at 6,000rpm) and torque to 236lb ft, wider ranging from 2,500-6,000rpm.
A one-off front viscous coupling limited-slipdifferential (from Birfield/Bruneck/GKN) was also fitted for the first time along with a bespoke metal clutch on the centre differential. Details like braided brake hosing for extra pedal bite demonstrate the attention to the finer details too.
The result was the finest road-going Delta Integrale ever built - looking, going, handling and stopping better than ever. And here it is, the world's only Integrale EVO III, on PistonHeads for £85,000 - a totally unique, proudly purple, virtually unused (7,000 miles) slice of Lancia and Maggiora Italian motoring history.
Words: Phil Royle
MAGGIORA LANCIA DELTA HF INTEGRALE EVO III
Engine: 1,995cc in-line four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4WD
Power (hp): 237@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 236@2,500-6,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: Summer 1994
Recorded mileage: 7,000 miles
Price new: 100,000 Euro/$130,000
Yours for: £85,000
I've driven Evo 1 & 2's & personally found these cars to be rather disappointing, yet i'm still a fan of these, but not to the tune of £85k.
I've driven Evo 1 & 2's & personally found these cars to be rather disappointing, yet i'm still a fan of these, but not to the tune of £85k.
Also, if you find them dissappointing, how come you are still a fan?
Personally, I think this is car porn......if I was a lottery winner expanding my fantasy garage, this puppy would be WAY up the list......
I've driven Evo 1 & 2's & personally found these cars to be rather disappointing, yet i'm still a fan of these, but not to the tune of £85k.
I`ve owned 2 Integrale EVOs and currently have an EVO 6 RS with exactly double the power of the Integrale yet still lust after the Integrale EVO!
Met a Polish guy last month rebuilding one with 450bhp - now that IS interesting.
Met a Polish guy last month rebuilding one with 450bhp - now that IS interesting.
Met a Polish guy last month rebuilding one with 450bhp - now that IS interesting.
It is quite easy to get excited about them in standard form...they are invariaby at their best them. Its when ppl start f
![](/inc/images/censored.gif)
Met a Polish guy last month rebuilding one with 450bhp - now that IS interesting.
It is quite easy to get excited about them in standard form...they are invariaby at their best them. Its when ppl start f
![](/inc/images/censored.gif)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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Met a Polish guy last month rebuilding one with 450bhp - now that IS interesting.
No, I think they are still something to be excited about in standard form. So the 'game' and the power wars that come with it have moved on, the Delta Integrale is still fast enough to be great fun day to day and it is a beautiful relic of a past era.
When you start tuning them, thats when you run into trouble, mainly because:
1) they're not the easiest cars to work on
2) parts are becoming scarce
3) no one wants someone else's 20 year old Italian rally rep with bodged upgrades
They should be left be. If you have the sort of money to buy an tune an Integrale I'd suggest you'd be better getting your kicks elsewhere, like wih a Nissan GTR!
![hehe](/inc/images/hehe.gif)
Rob
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