RE: PH Heroes: Lancia Delta Integrale
Discussion
16VJay said:
I'm on my second 16V and I would say if you only drove the car briefly, then you probably wouldn't like it. I used my first one daily for months before I felt completely at ease in the thing - they do take some learning.
I agree. This is going to sound really really poncey but they aren't a car you get in, nail the accelerator and get an instant reward from...
They're fidgety, noisy, hot, pretty cramped (sorry but 5 door hatch they may be but not in the modern sense), rattle and creak.
Am not saying that other cars necessarily flatter the driver but they are generally easier to drive to the same level of performance. Deltas require work to get the experience out of them...and as such can actually be a bit of a drag IME..
Edited by DrTre on Thursday 29th May 13:15
DrTre said:
This is going to sound really really poncey but they aren't a car you get in, nail the accelerator and get an instant reward from...
They're fidgety, noisy, hot, pretty cramped (sorry but 5 door hatch they may be but not in the modern sense), rattle and creak.
Am not saying that other cars necessarily flatter the driver but they are generally easier to drive to the same level of performance. Deltas require work to get the experience out of them...and as such can actually be a bit of a drag IME..
but presumably that's why they appeal to the kind of people on PH - cos they are a true drivers car that rewards your efforts and talentsThey're fidgety, noisy, hot, pretty cramped (sorry but 5 door hatch they may be but not in the modern sense), rattle and creak.
Am not saying that other cars necessarily flatter the driver but they are generally easier to drive to the same level of performance. Deltas require work to get the experience out of them...and as such can actually be a bit of a drag IME..
I would say that the brakes aren't that great, especially if you have it tuned (which most are - can be remapped for less than £200) they are adequate for fast road use 1 up though.
I would avoid the 'final edition' springs as they cause stress cracks and are a bit harsh in my opinion.
Jap import EVO cars have different sized twin headlights like the old 16v, these can be changed so another pointer is no side indicators, a plastic badge filling the hole in the bodywork.
Not so many around now, looking on ebay, autotrader, pistonheads etc. Where have they all gone?
I would avoid the 'final edition' springs as they cause stress cracks and are a bit harsh in my opinion.
Jap import EVO cars have different sized twin headlights like the old 16v, these can be changed so another pointer is no side indicators, a plastic badge filling the hole in the bodywork.
Not so many around now, looking on ebay, autotrader, pistonheads etc. Where have they all gone?
I totally agree, and in my opinion thats where a lot of more modern cars fall down. The Delta has character and charm by the Italian bucket load. If it dropped its knickers on the first drive so to speak, where is the challenge, the intrigue?
Its that moment behind the wheel of a car, when you suddenly find yourself in tune with it, be it, grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and hurling it around, or finding that it responds best to soft delicate style, that brings a huge smile to a driver. The interaction between machine and pilot, that suddenly allows the driver to find something extra is just so good.
Otherwise if you just turn they key and its all so easy then, why bother?
Its that moment behind the wheel of a car, when you suddenly find yourself in tune with it, be it, grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and hurling it around, or finding that it responds best to soft delicate style, that brings a huge smile to a driver. The interaction between machine and pilot, that suddenly allows the driver to find something extra is just so good.
Otherwise if you just turn they key and its all so easy then, why bother?
Edited by alwayzsidewayz on Thursday 29th May 14:13
alwayzsidewayz said:
I totally agree, and in my opinion that where a lot of more modern cars fall down. The Delta has character and charm by the Italian bucket load. If it dropped its knickers on the first drive so to speak, where is the challenge, the intrigue?
Its that moment behind the wheel of a car, when you suddenly find yourself in tune with it, be it, grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and hurling it around, or finding that it responds best to soft delicate style, that brings a huge smile to a driver. The interaction between machine and pilot, that suddenly allows the drive to find something extra is just so good.
Otherwise if you just turn they key and its all so easy then, why bother?
to be honest - that is exactly what turned me off the Impreza when I first drove one. It was all too damn easy - no challenge!Its that moment behind the wheel of a car, when you suddenly find yourself in tune with it, be it, grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and hurling it around, or finding that it responds best to soft delicate style, that brings a huge smile to a driver. The interaction between machine and pilot, that suddenly allows the drive to find something extra is just so good.
Otherwise if you just turn they key and its all so easy then, why bother?
That's partly why I loved zipping down B roads in my V8 Dakota - live axle, leaf springs, 5.2V8 with 300lbft torque - quite hard work to drive fast, but much more rewarding to do so.
maybe I just don't like modern cars, prefer the old heros!
At last! The 'grale makes PH Hero status - about time too...
I've had my Evo 2 for 8 years now and just can't let it go. Annually I think about changing, but I haven't driven anything yet that is so complete a package.
Interesting to hear the usual pub myths being bandied about, even on pistonheads...
Engine out for everything? Mine is out now for the 1st time in 8 years (350 hp spec coming)
Stress cracks? Maybe for some, but I have been on FE springs for 5 years, just had the car stripped for renovation and nothing - not one hairline crack.
Unreliable? Never left me at the side of the road in 8 years. Unlike my Audis, Golfs, Caterham etc
Poor electrics - yes! Things do cease to function from time to time. That said, I had a new loom made and fitted about 5 years ago for £400 and haven't had an issue since.
I may have been lucky - with a March '94 build date, mine will have been built at the Maggiora Chivasso factory (essentially hand built) where production shifted after Lancia decided to phase them out.
It is definitely a car that reveals itself to you over time and due to its tactility it gets right under your skin...
It is also quite a small car - interesting to hear the article describe it as wide. Perhaps that was due to sitting on the left hand side and associated change in perception? I found a new Corsa parked behind my 'grale the other day and it was noticeably larger. You wouldn't really want to put 3 adults in the back of it.
It has serious rear-view mirror presence. Quite a few friends of mine have commented after group hoons that from behind it just looks like a souped up hatchback but when it's in your mirrors it screams "Get the f*ck out of my way".
The legend surrounding the car is quite amusing - it is one of those cars that everyone has a mate who had one. Every token petrolhead has an opinion on it and they will share it with you regardless of whether you are interested or not.
I was in the car having picked up a first date and driving in a very low key manner. I even resisted going off on one when she asked why the wheel was on the wrong side. Then, whilst sitting at the lights opposite a pub, I saw some guy inside give a shriek and fix his eyes on the car. He then pushed through the crowd, stumbled out of the pub and started prostrating himself infront of the car on the road (we were at the front of the lights). All his mates were cheering and giving thumbs up and then he got up, kissed the bonnet's leading edge and went back inside. Date went well after that...
I've given up on searching for a replacement and decided to completely renovate the car after 63,000 fantastic miles.
I've had my Evo 2 for 8 years now and just can't let it go. Annually I think about changing, but I haven't driven anything yet that is so complete a package.
Interesting to hear the usual pub myths being bandied about, even on pistonheads...
Engine out for everything? Mine is out now for the 1st time in 8 years (350 hp spec coming)
Stress cracks? Maybe for some, but I have been on FE springs for 5 years, just had the car stripped for renovation and nothing - not one hairline crack.
Unreliable? Never left me at the side of the road in 8 years. Unlike my Audis, Golfs, Caterham etc
Poor electrics - yes! Things do cease to function from time to time. That said, I had a new loom made and fitted about 5 years ago for £400 and haven't had an issue since.
I may have been lucky - with a March '94 build date, mine will have been built at the Maggiora Chivasso factory (essentially hand built) where production shifted after Lancia decided to phase them out.
It is definitely a car that reveals itself to you over time and due to its tactility it gets right under your skin...
It is also quite a small car - interesting to hear the article describe it as wide. Perhaps that was due to sitting on the left hand side and associated change in perception? I found a new Corsa parked behind my 'grale the other day and it was noticeably larger. You wouldn't really want to put 3 adults in the back of it.
It has serious rear-view mirror presence. Quite a few friends of mine have commented after group hoons that from behind it just looks like a souped up hatchback but when it's in your mirrors it screams "Get the f*ck out of my way".
The legend surrounding the car is quite amusing - it is one of those cars that everyone has a mate who had one. Every token petrolhead has an opinion on it and they will share it with you regardless of whether you are interested or not.
I was in the car having picked up a first date and driving in a very low key manner. I even resisted going off on one when she asked why the wheel was on the wrong side. Then, whilst sitting at the lights opposite a pub, I saw some guy inside give a shriek and fix his eyes on the car. He then pushed through the crowd, stumbled out of the pub and started prostrating himself infront of the car on the road (we were at the front of the lights). All his mates were cheering and giving thumbs up and then he got up, kissed the bonnet's leading edge and went back inside. Date went well after that...
I've given up on searching for a replacement and decided to completely renovate the car after 63,000 fantastic miles.
Edited by WTFWT?! on Thursday 29th May 16:03
Re: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-6SguDEwIg&fea...
In my opinion you'd be hard pushed to find 58 seconds of more vehicular related aural pleasure than that!
In my opinion you'd be hard pushed to find 58 seconds of more vehicular related aural pleasure than that!
Went down to Curborough in April and shot some pics of the grale boys in action link is
www.nslphotographics.com/lanciatrackday
www.nslphotographics.com/lanciatrackday
Bugger.
Another sign from above telling me I shouldnt even be contemplating selling my 'Grale!
Oh and tan Italian leather interior with matching high backed Recaros and an exterior paint work of BRG/Verde York...you cant beat it
Another sign from above telling me I shouldnt even be contemplating selling my 'Grale!
- Sigh* simply put, the greatest rally car ever made and one of the greatest road cars ever made.
Oh and tan Italian leather interior with matching high backed Recaros and an exterior paint work of BRG/Verde York...you cant beat it
traffman said:
Damm just read this thread , now im off to re mortgage .
Are there any left in the classifieds?
Are there any left in the classifieds?
- laugh*
I think most/many Integrale owners tend to feel like this, you never *really* want to actually sell your car...you just have far too much fun in them! Its only our wives who make us!Wedgepilot said:
Yup, that repsol rep is very tasty - I'll have one just like that please
I remember being taken for a blast in a customer's Evo many years ago, he'd somehow managed to wangle it as a company car! Utterly brilliant.
Thanks Filski and Wedge.I remember being taken for a blast in a customer's Evo many years ago, he'd somehow managed to wangle it as a company car! Utterly brilliant.
I had the added advantage of having a friend who owns the original Repsol car which is in the UK and is at RallyDay most times. He lent me it as often as I wanted to make it EXACTLY the same. This is the biggest issue with a replica - the accuracy of the paintwork. It's been recognised by the Italian works cars fanatics www.historiclanciarally.it - where you'll find it lurking in there.
Alcon brakes (Evo 7 type), coilover Öhlins (custom bells), usual engine mods people do. What I learnt most was just how envious I am of the new cars from Far East engineered suspensions. It's the single best mod you can do - albeit not cheap. The add-ons are carbon, sump guard is FULL size and the light pod a replica of an Abarth item that I had made from the original cars one. Abarth having worked out that it's no use having lights on if the car overheats - that thing makes the car run 8C cooler as well as make up for truly awful standard lights that every Evo owner knows is a bit more than a pretty-looking bottled glowworm.
Lawd knows what it cost, but in bits about £22k which I don't actually think is bad all said and done. It's about 5.5sec to 60 and 270hp (ish, dunno really), but this is like comparing feet and inches between various drop dead gorgeous females at a footballers wives hen party. There are other far more relevant attributes ;-)
I'm one of the Martini boys! This is my 6th one and probably the one I'll hang onto because it reminds me of my rally days.
Since the photo was taken a few weeks ago it's now fitted with a special roll cage that allows me to keep the back seats in and can be taken out in 15 minutes if needs be. Oh and a set of home made rally mirrors that echo the real things.
I'm very proud of this car. I put a lot of effort to get it right. A few things still to be done bt getting there.
Excellent write up about the cars.
Since the photo was taken a few weeks ago it's now fitted with a special roll cage that allows me to keep the back seats in and can be taken out in 15 minutes if needs be. Oh and a set of home made rally mirrors that echo the real things.
I'm very proud of this car. I put a lot of effort to get it right. A few things still to be done bt getting there.
Excellent write up about the cars.
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