Delta Integrale: £15K Competition Update

John's Sega Rally hero continues to captivate in real life

So another month has gone by with our Adrian Flux competition winners and their cars. With John Crook having searched so long for his perfect Integrale, you won't be surprised to hear he's been using it a fair bit since then!

Following the last update John has been along to his first Sunday Service with the car and and a club meet at Brands Hatch. There are plans afoot also, with John still a little unimpressed by the exhaust sound and a service due very shortly.

Our runner-up Matt Purdon will update us on the progress with his Ford Capri 3.0 S shortly. You can read his last story here. Fingers crossed the engine will be back to full health very soon...

Thanks again to Adrian Flux for sponsoring the competition.

John writes: The Sunday Service. What a great way to spend a weekend morning! I'd been meaning to get along to one for a while but they had always fallen on weekends when I had other plans or they were too far away. Not this time! Hertfordshire being only a short(ish) drive from me meant the Integrale had to be there. I'm so glad I made the early start! Travelling with a friend we knew we were getting near when we spotted an Integra Type R, TVR Tuscan and Aston V8 Vantage. What a turnout - so many rare and beautiful cars. And to think I now own one of them too (well rare, maybe not beautiful!).

You're allowed to be jealous. We are

It was great to wander around, chatting to other PHers and being able to get up and close to some real exotics - especially the LaFerrari. A great atmosphere, interesting fellow enthusiasts, perfect location and bacon butties made for an excellent Sunday morning.

I hope all who attended enjoyed seeing the Integrale up close - it made me grin to look across the field and think "that's mine!". The phrase most people looking at the car uttered was 'Sega Rally'. Exactly the same memories I have of the Integrale as a kid as well! Everyone was racing to choose the Integrale first in my experience...

So how's it been for the last couple of months? Perfect. New fuel cap in place so no more getting stuck (!) and there have been no issues with the car at all. It feels like a three year-old car, not a 20 year-old rally legend. The car doesn't enjoy sitting in traffic, it feels like it's straining at the leash, but even with the hot weather we've been having it behaved impeccably.

First Sunday Service done; more on the way!

I've had the Integrale out on many occasions, more often than not with nowhere in particular to go - purely for the enjoyment of driving it. Everything is an event with the car - from the garage door reveal, to starting her up, to then warming her through before I can use the boost! I even enjoy cleaning the car - getting her back to pristine condition and standing back to admire it.

I recently attended a club meet at Brands Hatch which was a great day out watching amateur and semi-professional racing. I could feel the car itching to get out on circuit - it didn't want to be sat in the car park! Or, more suitably, the rally stage behind the main circuit.

I'm gradually getting more and more connected to the car. I feel like I'm starting to get to know its limits, its breadth of ability. Everytime I forget it's an old car such is its pace, agility and handling. It could easy pass for a much newer car and I'm sure it would outperform many. In its day it must have felt so far ahead of its time - no wonder it's become such a legend and sought after.

Service looms imminently

What things would I change? There's only one thing. The exhaust. It's already a great exhaust, a Janspeed system from the manifold back. So why do I want to change it? The performance, look and build quality are all excellent.

It's just the noise, or rather lack of it. I don't want to make windows shake or let the neighbours know I'm two miles from home every journey, but a bit more bark would be nice. I've changed the exhaust on all my cars in fact. Call me childish, but it makes the driving experience more enjoyable with the smile on your face larger and the hairs on your neck standing up just a bit taller. I've looked into a few possibilities but none are exactly affordable- I'm not surprised. Maybe a classic cult car should be left quiet and refined (as refined as a Integrale can get!). Or maybe it should be shouting its rally heritage to all around. Let me know your thoughts!

A trip down to the Brighton Speed Trials beckons this weekend - hopefully the weather remains good so the hard work polishing doesn't go to waste. If not I'll enjoy the four-wheel drive and all weather ability instead. Either way I can't complain!

The car is off for a service very soon as I want to use the Lancia as much as possible before its winter hibernation. It's going to one of the best renowned specialists in the country. A bit of a trek but worth it to know the best of the best is working on my dream car and prized possession. I'll let you know how it goes. There shouldn't be any issues as it's had a lot of work over the last few years and is running perfectly. I said this at MOT time though as well so fingers crossed!