Delta Integrale: £15K Competition Update
John Crook reports back on his first few months with his lovely Lancia
You will see it's been a fascinating familiarisation period for John, and he's keen to enjoy the car even more once it's out of winter hibernation. We may even see the Integrale at a Sunday Service or two!
Thanks again to Adrian Flux for sponsoring the competition.
John writes: So, last time you heard from me I had just bought the car of my dreams, but how has the dream been panning out?! The predictable answer is of course exactly as expected - I love it!
Tucked up in anticipation of better weather
With the awful weather we've been having I only got a few runs in the car to start appreciating its capabilities before taking her off the road for the worst of winter. One of the memorable runs was on a sunny afternoon to Brighton - country roads all the way, definitely where the car feels it's happiest.
On straight A-roads or dual carriageways it is still a fun car, don't get me wrong, but with turbo lag and relatively low gearing you can feel the car wanting to deviate off and find its rhythm on twisting narrow roads. I still sometimes have to pinch myself behind the wheel! To me seeing one used to be more exciting than clocking any supercar as they were so rare and you knew it must be owned by a true PHer. The fact that I'm now driving and owning one of these rare machines seems truly bizarre.
I spent the first couple of outings getting used to the car. There are squeaks and rattles, the ride is hard and there's lots of lag (surprisingly addictive!) but these just add to the experience.
The spoiler's going to 'full rally mode' soon!
The attention the Integrale gets on the road is incredible. People leaning out of their cars to give the thumbs up or scrambling for their phones to get a pic. My personal favourite was someone missing the traffic lights because he was too busy looking over every inch of the Integrale! It's a car that any enthusiast enjoys and makes me feel good seeing how it makes others happy too.
The first and only thing I've changed on the car so far is the number plate - this has been back to its standard position (I know it's not in the pics!)
There are a few things I'd like to get addressed in the near future, the first being the speedo. Whilst it all works the speedo is definitely out. I think it is over reading as at an indicated 30mph it literally feels like crawling, something the sat-nav confirmed!
The other things (that I need to do myself) are the headlights as there's a loose connection somewhere causing one of the bulbs come on and off when it fancies it. The other is the famous rear spoiler which is currently on its half-way setting but, judge me if you will, I want it up in full rally mode style! Hardly a bad list for an Italian car that's nearly 20 years old...
John's happy just ogling it for now
The car is currently locked in the garage, under its cover, wired up to its life support machine, AKA a trickle charger. She's started every week and run up to temperature and moved to free the brakes and move the tyres but I don't want her to see any road salt, rain, drizzle, snow - the list goes on. I've had it explained to me many a time that cars are surprisingly waterproof but I don't care - she's in such good condition that I'd rather the Integrale is kept in its current A1 condition. There is a reputation for rust that I'd rather never explore!
It might sound bizarre to some I know, it's a rally car built for all weather but to me it's a car that's perfect for a sunny weekend afternoon.
A1 condition and it'll be staying that way too
I can't wait to get the covers off and head out to some shows come spring/summer. I was due to attend a Sunday Service at Goodwood late last year but completely forgot about family commitments I already had. I'll enjoy driving it even more having left it for a couple of months.
I look forward to showing the Integrale to as many PHers as possible. I'm hoping you're impressed with it as much as I am!
Previous updates:
It took a while but John finally found his dream Lancia
haha, good idea!! Thinking outside the box there! 
You really do get an amazing reaction from other road users, all positive which makes a change. Even the army of cyclists round where I live seem to approve!
I wish more cars were made like this now, sadly beurocrats and do gooders have in many ways have ruined the car industry but stories like this warm my car loving heart!
Mine is tucked away during the bad weather but this article makes me want to take the cover off and go for a spin.
Enjoy!! - I sold mine 3 years ago and bought it back last year because I couldnt find anything that felt quite like an integrale.
Once you have had one - they are very difficult to get out of your system. In the last 15 years, I have had 3 integrales and was only without one for those 2 years.
Never sell it - even if your other half really wants you to
You'd have thought I would be happy to be rid of it but I'd have another in a heartbeat! I nearly cried as the new owner drove it away, even though I'd part ex'd it for an E30 M3 Cabriolet. My mates would take the piss out of the boxy looks until I would take them out in it on a twisty road. There's nothing that looks or goes like it & there probably never will be & the motoring world is a worse place without a true successor.
One small word of advice about the spoiler. It may look good in the fully up position & give you a small amount of downforce but you will find yourself using more fuel & going through rear tyres more quickly.
Enjoy your Integrale, she's a beauty. To say I'm extremely jealous is an understatement!
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