Great video! I owned the Delta Intergrale and prior to that the HF Turbo. Both were fun cars but what stood out about the Intergrale was its ability to stick to tight bends at speed which made it rapid. No wonder it won the World Rally Championship 6 times in a row. A record that has never been beaten.
I was lucky enough to have one of these when they were new. I also competed in a MK2 Group 4 Escort. The Integrale covered ground so quickly, braked so well with the standard Ferrari brakes and was so good around the corners, that I crashed the Escort next time I competed in it. Good summary. It doesn’t shout what it can do, but has so much ability when you dig deep.
I think Martin's point was that he was spoiled by the road going Integrale's abilities and didn't adjust back to the Rally prepped machine in the next competition he did. Also the 4wd system was pretty good and the ABS was an advanced version of ABS for the time.... Getting back in the Rally prepped RWD and (no ABS) Escort would have needed a bit of re-acclimatisation I'm sure :)
Drive it like you stole it, works for most Italian cars. I've had Alfa's and they're the same. Nothing special at city speeds, but oh boy do they deliver when you give it the beans. Let it warm up, find some good bends and put on your hoonhat . That's when they shine.
@@THESLlCK I've owned a Peugeot 306 GTI many years ago and that car got all cranky and ran badly if I didn't thrash it enough. Every few weeks it needed to be driven hard and then it would run perfectly again. Cars are not decoration, they're machines. WRX's are a perfect example indeed.
Hah the brakes on my EVO II tried to put me into a hedge once as well. The discs warp readily. Still loved it to bits though. No way I could ever afford to buy one now sadly. Ah the 90's how I miss thee. I still reckon it's probably one the fastest A to B cars on a slightly dodgy back road you can buy.
I used to have a 16v as a daily driver between 1999 and 2002. It always felt special and was faster than anything else on the road. It required constant upkeep and I sold it for £2200. Which at the time was the lower end of what they were selling for. Still miss it.
One think that this review got very well (that I rarely see on other Integrale reviews) is how well the cars transforms as you keep pushing it. I mean yeah.... on a public road it can be a lazy machine when you are on a relaxed drive.... and then take it on an empty B-road and push it hard and it becomes a striking different animal. And what stroke me most is when I took mine (I own a 1989 16V Integrale) on a track day for the first time 3 years after I bought it and pushed it even harder it became even more brilliant. It could do thinks that I’d never imagine. I felt that I discovered yet another level of the car that I didn’t know it existed. It was a fantastic experience
I’ve owned an immaculate Evo 2 for a number of years and, having watched many many TH-cam reviews (some from the most famous content providers), I can say that your review is by far and away the most accurate and representative of them all. When someone asks me about the ‘Grale I’ll simply point them in the direction of your video. Bravo
My mate had a plain old mortals Delta in the late 80's early 90's. I think it had a 1.3 engine, but despite that it was an absolute hoot on the back roads. The suspension and cornering were incredible. One evening we took a ride out to see some pals and just before our destination there's this 90 degree right hand bend, tight as anything, and he says to me at the last minute "hold on, watch this!". I was pinned to the passenger side door window uttering obscenities, but that car took the corner (don't remember the speed, but too fast) like it was on rails and completed planted. If I'd tried that in my dad's sierra I'd be having it dragged out of the field on its roof. I'd love a ride in an Integrale.
@@weedaviec So true especially in one's late teens and early twenties. Pretty much every one of my circle of friends, myself included, have had extreme remodelling events on our local backroads :)
I was born in 1988 and the Lancia Delta Integrale was my first favourite car. I even had bed linen with Integrales in Martini Racing livery. Also there was a red Integrale in my neighbourhood and I was amazed whenever I saw it parked on the street. I knew every car brand, but some cars were very special and I recognized this pretty early.
You ratrely do at the time, usually only when looking back after many years much like myself with the Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI. It was technically my first car when still at uni, but I never treated it with the respect it truly deserved.
As ever a totally honest review. I'm one of the lucky ones I have an Integrale and its one of the most frustrating cars I have ever owned but today I took it for a drive and it reminded me why I love it so much!
Great review, as an Integrale owner I've spent half of the video waiting for you to thrash it around and understand what it's all about which you obviously did. Well done sir!
Ahhh yes, the familiar theme of when we meet our hero’s! I’ve been in one and it did ride way to hard, sounded like it was gonna rattle apart. Ford must have benchmarked this car when they did the suspension on the RS. That said it’s truly a piece of art.
Another brilliant review James, this channel and your content really is going from strength to strength. I think this sort of stuff is easily good enough to be broadcast on the TV.
I remember when I had my 8 valve Integrale the guy who used to work on it told me the more you put into driving them the more you get out of them. The Japanese stuff that came along were easier to drive fast but I still surprised more than a few of them
What made this great review unique were your own nuances about the legend that is Integrale and its overall experience (including just being in it), both positive as well as negative. Thanks, James!
Quite possibly the best Integrale review...... In the world. You owned that Jay, really enjoyed it and the latest videos have been some of your best. Thanks, Matt.
An update as to why the road cars can be disappointing:The late brake show with Jonny in Holland visits MCC to drive the Maturo rally restomod Integrale.
There are slight parallels to seventies and eighties two stroke bikes here then. If you try and use them at low to middle revs they are gutless, slow and frustrating. So you try to use the whole rev range and things become extremely exciting. All hell breaks loose when the rev gauge reads 5,000. Unlike the Integrale though, they have no cornering ability or breaks. Fun.
Enjoyed your video. Fantastic cars these. I owned a Giallo EVO 2 back in the mid 00's - 'M222EVO'. I agree with much of what you found driving this car, didn't find the gear change that bad though it did have a short shifter kit fitted by the prior owner. Some mild mods took the power of it up to circa 280 BHP which was about right after coming from a Mitsi EVO IV. I would have another Integrale in a heartbeat but personally could not warrant or afford the cost of buying one today... Not that i'm at all jealous mind lol.
Standard Evo 2 came in three colours. Red, blue and white. Standard Evo 1 came in red, white, blue, green, metallic red and black. Mix of both versions had special editions.
My Evo2 was the ultimate head turner in town, slightly lowered on coilovers and on 17's. Out on the B roads it brought out the devil in me and after spirited driving I would pull up trembling with adrenaline. It gripped in the turns like nothing else. Insane. Privileged to have owned my dream car for a couple of years. I miss it of course, but not all the bills.
Had to reply as i used to get that trembling feeling and just pure lol moments in my old Clio Williams. Never had that feeling since. You think it's just 90s magic? Currently got a BRZ and find it a right borefest and just can't see where the hype comes from..
Ha, when you were doing your review, I was thrashing mine around the Coromandel Loop here in New Zealand. It's unbeatable on our crappy, twisty, bouncy roads. The wall of torque when it's boosting has you overtaking before you even realised there was a gap!
i had an Evo 2 in Sydney with coil over suspension. I took it down a mountain road called the mcquarie pass. never have i pushed anything so hard..the delta was calling me,,in the end i slowed down. she won..great video James and sums up the delta very well,, These days i have a blue lagos..possibly the only one in Australia
In my grandparents house neighborhood there was a old Porsche 911,was a nice car (a 80's cooled air one) but somewhat it blended with the wealthy cenario of that village and nobody gave a more then 30 seconds look at it.BUT then the same guy probably sold it and bought a YELLOW Lancia Delta Integralle EVO I and people just stopped there taking full meals and taking pictures,talking with it's owner owner,etc.That's is an EXOTIC car stuff!What an striking looking car that was!!
I like it, that engine ended up in the first Fiat Coupe Turbo but was replaced by the awesome 5 cylinder 20VT- I'm surprised no one has offered you a drive in one yet. I'd also love to see a review on a Volvo C30 T5 and a Brabus ForFour first gen. Surely one day i'll get a least one of these ;).
Three attempts to get into the zone including a switch of cars and a trip into a hedgerow yet once everything is right, it’s oh so right. You’ve summed up Lancia ownership perfectly!
Yeah, owning a Lancia is pretty complex, only owners know what we're talking about. I've had my Evo2 for well over twelve years by now. Thought about selling it numerous times but could just not do it. In ways it's an over valued piece of outdated crap, but a simple walk around the car can sway you around entirely. And when the stars align, when the car, mood, weather and road match, the Integrale is simply sublime.
@@scuderianorreno couldn’t agree more. I’ve had loads of Lancia, still have two Deltas that for the most part just sit there and make me smile when I look at them. You definitely develop a relationship with these cars that you simple never would with anything German and sensible. My brother ran Alfa’s for many years and I’m pretty confident that he gets it. I’ve found the best way to own an Italian car is to own either several or something non-Italian for the days when you want to arrive somewhere on time without any drama (or style).
@@pentagrammotorsport Yeah I've had an Alfa 147 GTA and Punto GT turbo (full abarth kit), plus a 156 saloon. Always had nice car comments and thumbs up from other road users and pedestrians. Ummmm, never had that with my Audis and Honda's I've owned....
Interesting point about the change in stance. When I had my 16V and I was (ahem) demonstrating to a friend on a CBR600 how a car can be quicker than a bike on B roads he commented that as I gave it beans just before the apex of a bend it made a terrific shape on the road. Agreed on the springs - part of the car's talent is not geting upset by mid corner bumps and the hard springs don't help that. Oh and I sold mine (H620CMW) around 2005 for £3200.....
Morning Mr J. I owned a Lancia Integrale and was by far the best car I've ever driven or been driven in. Your comments are spot on - the car was literally asleep for 80% of the time, but when you pushed it, boy it woke up!! 4am starts to Snowdonia for a spot of mountaineering were indeed happy 😊 days. Oh dear, I've got a tear in my eye 👁.
My brother has one, its red as well.. ;) I totally get where you are coming from. My problem is having wrecked an Alfa he owned, I definitely don't dare driving it to its limit! But it is fun being a passenger when he does 4 wheel drifts it in!
One of your best reviews. They are getting more and more polished. I think the length of the video is also better than the shorter ones where you wished for me (eg vantage v12 manual)
Fantastic review. Thank you. The Integrale was not exported to many countries, presumably because Lancia could not keep up with the demand. I had to contend with the HF Turbo and thoroughly enjoyed it when on the North South highways in Malaysia. Its not surprising the prices are so high due to its rarity. Lancia needs to reintroduce a new Delta very much like Alfa Romeo’s new Giulia.
The dealer edition did make a lot of sense, just like my dad a car dealer in those years appreciated these cars and back in the days pre internet most special cars as this Lancia and early M's and Cosworths where sold to people in motorsport and the automotive world
I’ve had an evo 1for 18 years and it’s like a mistress Only used on the weekend Looks good, does what it’s supposed to, gets lots of attention all round and will cost you plenty Wouldn’t change it for the world
This is my ultimate all-time dream car. Up there with the F40. I have an Alfa 145Q, which story goes that Chris Bangle designed it originally as a Delta replacement. So at least is has some sort of vague link with the Delta 😂.
Why I got a subaru STI - could not afford one of these integrales and wanted a warranty....the current US STI in 2020 is brilliant for the same reasons. (geting wider, smaller, lighter wheels....) Great video - nicely built.
Ok - i've been waiting 2 months to hear what was so wrong, but ultimately, very fair comments. Having owned my first Evo I from '96, and having an Evo II (GG) now this is what i know. 15" wheels are the best. I ruined my Evo I by going up to 16" wheels (which are standard on the Evo II) after an altercation with some traffic 'calming' chicane in Wimbledon that i actually couldn't go through at 50 - who knew! I disagree about the gearbox - it's great. What's not is the shift, so put the quick-shift kit on, as it's transformative. Standard Exhaust is also improved with something a bit more liberating (for power and sound), but little in it really. My Evo II has a rear strut brace also (found on the final edition as standard i believe), and to be honest the jury is out on that as to whether it brings anything to the party - just makes the feel at the rear it little less progressive when 'on it'. Other than that, all i can say is leave everything else as standard, and it's pure joy.
I posted one of these on my Instagram about a month ago and had about 10 people DM asking me if it was a Golf, still a car that is not known about but still epic
I've lusted after one of these ever since the 8v model came out in 88.had 3 hf turbos and loved Em I've driven 2 grales and makes me want one even more but the prices are crazy
I had a 1988 8valve which I loved but it was so unreliable! The wheel rims were soft and on back order so replacements were desperately slow coming thru & prevented using it. I had water in the boot from leaking seals which were never fixed. The fuel pump failed within 2500 miles. Plus a complete new dashboard was required when some knobs fell off! After 6 months, I sold it to a pal who was really keen to have it but he had an engine bay fire shortly after & the insurance payout was at a loss. Maybe later ones are better sorted!
I like youngtimers, they are far from perfect but there are some special feeling when driving them. Would like to see you review saab 900 classic, turbo of course.
Always lusted after an integrale , unfortunately it’s now financially out of reach and for the investment would be disappointing. However, the escort cosworth was obviously inspired by the integrale, and the grandchild of the escos is the mk3 focus RS, in 25 years the mk3 will be as iconic, buy one now for half the price
"Good all rounder" is not a phrase often uttered when driving/riding Italian sports machinery,their bikes are the same,they only really work brilliantly when used as intended.✌👍
I was pondering buying a Delta as my first car. It was a non turbo (1.6 I think?) and a workmate was selling it. It was only around 7 years old and the lady only wanted £500. Sounded like a fun and very different car (with a 0-60 time of 10 seconds) especially as a 1st car. I'm glad that I got my dad to check it over first haha! As soon as I said Lancia my dad rolled his eyes and rightly so as it turned out. It was rotten with a staggering amount of rust for its age and had a host of electrical faults (electric windows, mirrors and central locking all didn't work from what I remember!) As you can imagine I didn't buy it and from that moment avoided anything Italian haha!
Great review, JayEmm. Some corrections in your video review 1) 0:01....It's Lan-Chia, not Lan-See-a 2) 3:47 ...now famous some arch extensions. Those arch extensions are the famous quattroesque fenders
My old boss had an Integrale in LHD (I think they only came in LHD). The dealer used to constantly borrow it for shows and demonstrations. It was special even back in 1993. They’d trailer it away and leave him any car of his choice for several days. He always let us drive his cars as he wasn’t precious about them so as a 21 year old I got to drive quite a few special cars. He eventually decided he couldn’t live with it (or rather he was 46 years old and it was a bit too young for him if truth be told). He replaced it with a 1996 Mercedes AMG C36 and then properly replaced it with a Subaru Impreza Turbo Terzo.
I used to own two Delta Integrale and one EVO I. I still love the looks of the car but its performance in street configuration doesn't come close to the Lancia rally cars of that era or to modern sports cars. If you want to own one nowadays, you'd better service it yourself since there is always something to work on and good workshops specialized on Deltas are rare. If you up the power to 350 HP the car becomes an utter joy to drive, don't forget to upgrade the breaks and the suspension as well. If you then change the transmission to a shorter one, fun on b roads never ends. But in essence the car is not worth the money it goes for today, you'd be better off buying a Lotus Elise if you seek pure driving pleasure or maybe the new Toyota GR Yaris.
Got to see a Martini Racing livery model version at a local C&C 2 years ago. Funny thing that day...I was wearing a Blipshift shirt with the very same car on it😎
Oh, how I miss my Giallo lover. My 23 year old son still goes on about it 15 years later Evo 2/ 1994 Larger intercooler and short-shifter. Otherwise was standard and mint. Epic experience. You were right though. It is basically a stunning looking Nissan Micra up to 7/10ths but when you unleash the car it is incredible. It took me some time to unlock all of this, which, to be fair, you would not do in few drives. You just scratched the surface. It becomes a love affair and I never really ever drove it slowly in my time with it. Ha, so many memories. Damn. I have had some nice cars but this is the one that made me just stare at it in a post-euphoric state after driving it hard. I am hoping the new Emira on order finally scratches that same deep itch.
I wish Lancia had made a modern version of the Integrale, like a 20 year anniversary limited edition, it would have been snapped up. Some of the concepts people have designed are quite beautiful. My favourite is the HF concept design. This car has really aged well tbf
Please, yes........ please? 😯 Those wheels ❤️ The size, makes a Clio look like an S The font on the clocks. The spoiler angle. Should have bought one when they were 25g. HUGE mistake.
Bought a three year old one in 1996 from the specialists in Bishops Storford it looked fab. That is the only positive thing I can say about it - three turbos, two clutches, one radiator in 18 months and bits falling off inside (roof lining, switches and handles and outside (grille). Also really really slow if under 4500 revs... so much so that on twisty back roads you had to keep slipping the clutch and rowing the gearbox to keep up with others in less exotic steers!
You didn't compare its performance with modern cars. That tells me that it's fun, even by today's standards, which is high praise indeed for a classic.
No mate, it's modern cars that lack the fun factor and can't match many 80s cars even in a head to head race, with all their heft from all the active/passive safety, pothole windows, beeping noises, stupid push button starts and electronics that limits your freedom to handle the car which isn't built to handle to start with.
A bloke I used to know ran a little one car garage out of an industrial unit. He was a good mechanic, honest cheap work. One day someone brought him a Delta HF Integrale for him to fix, a water pump I believe needed replacing. 8 hrs later it was done. Not long after this man gave up his little business. I blame the Delta.
I have owned my lord blu evo 2 since 2003.... Mine is on standard suspension and is a European spec car. I'm amazed you say the steering gives no feedback..... I have always found the steering to be one of it's best bits. Also the gearchange I have always found acceptable especially compared to my Alfasud Sprint.... I do agree that they aren't on paper worth the huge money they are these days.... but considering there were only 2500 evo 2 cars built and the American market opening up as the cars hit 25 years old, the demand has pushed the price up rightly or wrongly. Black is not a standard evo2 colour..(lt was available to special order).. but white is...along with blue(as mine is) and red as you say. Parts supply is a lot better than it was in the mid 2000s... Martini 5 and 6 and Verde York are actually EVO1.... Personally I love my car and cannot think of another I would change it for....although I will admit the attention it gets I don't really like.... people taking photos while driving when they should be focusing in what they are doing..... if they end up in my boot.... "sorry but I was taking a photo" won't go down well....
Cool cars and love them. But when you ask the question are the Integrale worth the current value/price? IMO they are overpriced massive...but like everything it's ask & demand.
A loved lemon i remember well was my 1.5. Besides some other minor fixes i had to replace the Engine and later it went on fire. Still, there are some worth while driving memories.
Sorry but you’ve got you history wrong. The HF4WD was the 1st car Lancia entered in to rallying after group B died. It then became the Integrale then next year.
Imagine...you are in the mid 80ies and you have to build a winning rally car. All you have is a normal, boxy family hatchback. And then some...geniuses? madmen? car lovers? all fo it...turn it in a dragon, spitting fire and with blood on his teeth... 6 WRC in a row, and they were not racing alone...the other car builders were not joking, but theyhad to wait Lancia to quit to began winning. Even when the Integrale was tragically outdated, she was a hard pray. Oh, these Italians... Yes, transmission is rubbish, the rear haych leaks, inner plastics sucks....but she is still wonderful. Lancia (real Lancia...) we miss you so much.... Ps very nice video. Greetings from Italy.
Hi James, great film, thank you. Only in a small way can I relate to your experience. In 1993 I had a new tipo sedicivalvole, with the same engine minus the turbocharger. Up to 4000 rpm, nothing, then it would come alive. So to have fun you had to fully commit. Clutch was heavy and gear box hard work. However fond memories. Glad you are keeping well. Best wishes mark
Had an opportunity to buy one of these or an E30 M3 Evo back in the late 90's when the money was reasonable. Didn't do it, squandered the cash and kicked myself ever since. C'est la vie
I'm an Evo 2 owner myself. I have a Bianco Perla. I can see where James is coming from saying that the car doesn't give you anything under 8 / 10. I think that's one of the reasons why, in fact, these tend to have massive mileage on. It's because, not in spite, of this schizophrenic characteristic. If you can picture this: while you're outside of the power band, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale is an eminently usable hatchback. You can happily potter about town, quietly, do school and shopping runs, whatever you want. If you put your foot down, the Delta becomes VERY different. Like a modded Japanese car it's eager and zippy. And the boost pushes you back in your seat. And you feel like she has eternal grip. The only thing that really ruins this experience is its market value... It's very uncomfortable, I find, to simply go around and live happy when your car is worth around $100K. That "nobber" has trouble expressing himself in that circumstance... Great review. One of the best.
Yeah, the ever increasing market value is both a blessing and a curse. I barely dare to drive the car the way it is intended. I think I had the perfect combo for a while when I owned a Peugeot 106 Rallye MkII at the same time. The Rallye was amazing fun even in legal speeds, and cheap enough to thrash around. And when I feelt naughty, I just brought out the HF... :P
Somebody has done that and is building them from scratch but they are £100k plus. Even wider arches, bigger wheels and brakes and a lot of weight saved, oh and lots more power.
Chris Harris has recently taken a Mk I Integrale (his own) to Wales and got beside himself as to its amazing capabilties. But then, Chris Harris is a guy who drives cars only in what James calls the upper 7/10'ths.
"I'm driving this car like a right nobber, because that's what it wants" lol. That has to be one of your best quotes ever.
i've been trying to articulate a comment but keep coming back to that phrase....and the laugh that follows shortly after....
Sounds a bit like he's doing an impression of someone doing a satirical impression of Clarkson!
Great video!
I owned the Delta Intergrale and prior to that the HF Turbo.
Both were fun cars but what stood out about the Intergrale was its ability to stick to tight bends at speed which made it rapid.
No wonder it won the World Rally Championship 6 times in a row. A record that has never been beaten.
Lancia could have kept on winning if Fiat had not pulled the plug IMHO after 92 ' season WRC
I was lucky enough to have one of these when they were new.
I also competed in a MK2 Group 4 Escort.
The Integrale covered ground so quickly, braked so well with the standard Ferrari brakes and was so good around the corners, that I crashed the Escort next time I competed in it.
Good summary. It doesn’t shout what it can do, but has so much ability when you dig deep.
I think Martin's point was that he was spoiled by the road going Integrale's abilities and didn't adjust back to the Rally prepped machine in the next competition he did. Also the 4wd system was pretty good and the ABS was an advanced version of ABS for the time.... Getting back in the Rally prepped RWD and (no ABS) Escort would have needed a bit of re-acclimatisation I'm sure :)
Drive it like you stole it, works for most Italian cars. I've had Alfa's and they're the same. Nothing special at city speeds, but oh boy do they deliver when you give it the beans. Let it warm up, find some good bends and put on your hoonhat . That's when they shine.
so they're made to drive, not sit?
@@THESLlCK Not everybody seems to understand this, unfortunately.
@@rollotomassi4815 it's a shame that drivers don't buy driver's cars. This is where the WRX and 392 challenger truly shine. They can't just sit still.
@@THESLlCK I've owned a Peugeot 306 GTI many years ago and that car got all cranky and ran badly if I didn't thrash it enough. Every few weeks it needed to be driven hard and then it would run perfectly again. Cars are not decoration, they're machines. WRX's are a perfect example indeed.
@@rollotomassi4815 Couldn't have said it better myself
Hah the brakes on my EVO II tried to put me into a hedge once as well. The discs warp readily. Still loved it to bits though. No way I could ever afford to buy one now sadly. Ah the 90's how I miss thee. I still reckon it's probably one the fastest A to B cars on a slightly dodgy back road you can buy.
I used to have a 16v as a daily driver between 1999 and 2002. It always felt special and was faster than anything else on the road. It required constant upkeep and I sold it for £2200. Which at the time was the lower end of what they were selling for. Still miss it.
One think that this review got very well (that I rarely see on other Integrale reviews) is how well the cars transforms as you keep pushing it. I mean yeah.... on a public road it can be a lazy machine when you are on a relaxed drive.... and then take it on an empty B-road and push it hard and it becomes a striking different animal.
And what stroke me most is when I took mine (I own a 1989 16V Integrale) on a track day for the first time 3 years after I bought it and pushed it even harder it became even more brilliant. It could do thinks that I’d never imagine. I felt that I discovered yet another level of the car that I didn’t know it existed. It was a fantastic experience
I’ve owned an immaculate Evo 2 for a number of years and, having watched many many TH-cam reviews (some from the most famous content providers), I can say that your review is by far and away the most accurate and representative of them all. When someone asks me about the ‘Grale I’ll simply point them in the direction of your video. Bravo
It means a lot to me that an owner agrees - shows me I am not going mad!
My mate had a plain old mortals Delta in the late 80's early 90's. I think it had a 1.3 engine, but despite that it was an absolute hoot on the back roads. The suspension and cornering were incredible. One evening we took a ride out to see some pals and just before our destination there's this 90 degree right hand bend, tight as anything, and he says to me at the last minute "hold on, watch this!". I was pinned to the passenger side door window uttering obscenities, but that car took the corner (don't remember the speed, but too fast) like it was on rails and completed planted. If I'd tried that in my dad's sierra I'd be having it dragged out of the field on its roof. I'd love a ride in an Integrale.
1st rule of Back Road Club. "Watch this" will result in panel damage- as a minimum.
@@weedaviec So true especially in one's late teens and early twenties. Pretty much every one of my circle of friends, myself included, have had extreme remodelling events on our local backroads :)
The anchorman wouldn't like the comment on the Sierra hahaha. Too busy dissing the Italians
I was born in 1988 and the Lancia Delta Integrale was my first favourite car. I even had bed linen with Integrales in Martini Racing livery. Also there was a red Integrale in my neighbourhood and I was amazed whenever I saw it parked on the street. I knew every car brand, but some cars were very special and I recognized this pretty early.
I managed 6 miles to the gallon when I had one back in the 90s. Cool cars all of them 8v 16v and evo.
A totally and utterly brilliant, stunning machine and yet another fantastic review!😍
Very kind, thankyou
It was the most dynamic car I ever owned, looking back, propbably did not realise at the time how brilliant it was.
You ratrely do at the time, usually only when looking back after many years much like myself with the Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI. It was technically my first car when still at uni, but I never treated it with the respect it truly deserved.
Always had a soft spot for these, the fat square arches and goofy spoiler are iconic.
As ever a totally honest review. I'm one of the lucky ones I have an Integrale and its one of the most frustrating cars I have ever owned but today I took it for a drive and it reminded me why I love it so much!
Great review, as an Integrale owner I've spent half of the video waiting for you to thrash it around and understand what it's all about which you obviously did. Well done sir!
Ahhh yes, the familiar theme of when we meet our hero’s! I’ve been in one and it did ride way to hard, sounded like it was gonna rattle apart. Ford must have benchmarked this car when they did the suspension on the RS. That said it’s truly a piece of art.
Another brilliant review James, this channel and your content really is going from strength to strength. I think this sort of stuff is easily good enough to be broadcast on the TV.
I remember when I had my 8 valve Integrale the guy who used to work on it told me the more you put into driving them the more you get out of them. The Japanese stuff that came along were easier to drive fast but I still surprised more than a few of them
Loved the Anchorman reference "20% of the time it works every time" hahahaha
What made this great review unique were your own nuances about the legend that is Integrale and its overall experience (including just being in it), both positive as well as negative. Thanks, James!
That thing going round them bends from the outside looks absolutely stunning, for me as good as any Ferrari etc etc
Quite possibly the best Integrale review...... In the world. You owned that Jay, really enjoyed it and the latest videos have been some of your best. Thanks, Matt.
An update as to why the road cars can be disappointing:The late brake show with Jonny in Holland visits MCC to drive the Maturo rally restomod Integrale.
There are slight parallels to seventies and eighties two stroke bikes here then. If you try and use them at low to middle revs they are gutless, slow and frustrating. So you try to use the whole rev range and things become extremely exciting. All hell breaks loose when the rev gauge reads 5,000. Unlike the Integrale though, they have no cornering ability or breaks. Fun.
Oh no, the Lancia has plenty of breaks, trust me.
@@DjDolHaus86 He said exactly that.
@@Gentleman...Driver word play is apparently wasted on the illiterate
@@DjDolHaus86 I dont see any word play.
@@Gentleman...Driver well that's more your problem than mine unfortunately. Homonyms can be tricky
I’m glad you enjoyed it in the end simply because if I ever win the lottery one of these is in my dream garage
Enjoyed your video. Fantastic cars these. I owned a Giallo EVO 2 back in the mid 00's - 'M222EVO'. I agree with much of what you found driving this car, didn't find the gear change that bad though it did have a short shifter kit fitted by the prior owner. Some mild mods took the power of it up to circa 280 BHP which was about right after coming from a Mitsi EVO IV. I would have another Integrale in a heartbeat but personally could not warrant or afford the cost of buying one today... Not that i'm at all jealous mind lol.
Great review. Takes me back to my Alfa 33 SuperVerde and maximum warp. Italians know how to make cars...and break your heart at the same time
Standard Evo 2 came in three colours. Red, blue and white. Standard Evo 1 came in red, white, blue, green, metallic red and black. Mix of both versions had special editions.
My Evo2 was the ultimate head turner in town, slightly lowered on coilovers and on 17's. Out on the B roads it brought out the devil in me and after spirited driving I would pull up trembling with adrenaline. It gripped in the turns like nothing else. Insane.
Privileged to have owned my dream car for a couple of years. I miss it of course, but not all the bills.
Had to reply as i used to get that trembling feeling and just pure lol moments in my old Clio Williams. Never had that feeling since. You think it's just 90s magic? Currently got a BRZ and find it a right borefest and just can't see where the hype comes from..
Ha, when you were doing your review, I was thrashing mine around the Coromandel Loop here in New Zealand. It's unbeatable on our crappy, twisty, bouncy roads. The wall of torque when it's boosting has you overtaking before you even realised there was a gap!
I really like your channel mate. The quality of and pedigree of the cars you test is perfect
I subscribed at ‘et cetera’, men who can speak correctly are becoming rather rare. Oh yeah, and the review was great, too!
Very insightful. Good job communicating the car's capabilities and the requirements for extracting those capabilities.
i had an Evo 2 in Sydney with coil over suspension. I took it down a mountain road called the mcquarie pass. never have i pushed anything so hard..the delta was calling me,,in the end i slowed down. she won..great video James and sums up the delta very well,, These days i have a blue lagos..possibly the only one in Australia
In my grandparents house neighborhood there was a old Porsche 911,was a nice car (a 80's cooled air one) but somewhat it blended with the wealthy cenario of that village and nobody gave a more then 30 seconds look at it.BUT then the same guy probably sold it and bought a YELLOW Lancia Delta Integralle EVO I and people just stopped there taking full meals and taking pictures,talking with it's owner owner,etc.That's is an EXOTIC car stuff!What an striking looking car that was!!
I like it, that engine ended up in the first Fiat Coupe Turbo but was replaced by the awesome 5 cylinder 20VT- I'm surprised no one has offered you a drive in one yet. I'd also love to see a review on a Volvo C30 T5 and a Brabus ForFour first gen. Surely one day i'll get a least one of these ;).
I cannot watch the videos, the voice tone is weird men
@@filipesilvestre6108 Sounds a bit like Jeremy Clarkson. Not my fave thing about him but never did Jezza any harm ;).
@@stu0508 Worse. Clarkson was ok. And a great sense of humour
@@filipesilvestre6108 Each to his own, i prefer Jay personally. A more toned down, civil Clarkson....
@@stu0508 I mean the tone of voice. Maybe it’s the accent, I don’t know. Some British accents sound weird
6 years in and I still love my Blue Lagos Integrale
Every aspect of this video just sums up why I subscribed - phenomenal
Three attempts to get into the zone including a switch of cars and a trip into a hedgerow yet once everything is right, it’s oh so right.
You’ve summed up Lancia ownership perfectly!
Yeah, owning a Lancia is pretty complex, only owners know what we're talking about. I've had my Evo2 for well over twelve years by now. Thought about selling it numerous times but could just not do it. In ways it's an over valued piece of outdated crap, but a simple walk around the car can sway you around entirely. And when the stars align, when the car, mood, weather and road match, the Integrale is simply sublime.
@@scuderianorreno couldn’t agree more. I’ve had loads of Lancia, still have two Deltas that for the most part just sit there and make me smile when I look at them. You definitely develop a relationship with these cars that you simple never would with anything German and sensible.
My brother ran Alfa’s for many years and I’m pretty confident that he gets it. I’ve found the best way to own an Italian car is to own either several or something non-Italian for the days when you want to arrive somewhere on time without any drama (or style).
@@pentagrammotorsport Yeah I've had an Alfa 147 GTA and Punto GT turbo (full abarth kit), plus a 156 saloon. Always had nice car comments and thumbs up from other road users and pedestrians. Ummmm, never had that with my Audis and Honda's I've owned....
Interesting point about the change in stance. When I had my 16V and I was (ahem) demonstrating to a friend on a CBR600 how a car can be quicker than a bike on B roads he commented that as I gave it beans just before the apex of a bend it made a terrific shape on the road. Agreed on the springs - part of the car's talent is not geting upset by mid corner bumps and the hard springs don't help that. Oh and I sold mine (H620CMW) around 2005 for £3200.....
Morning Mr J. I owned a Lancia Integrale and was by far the best car I've ever driven or been driven in. Your comments are spot on - the car was literally asleep for 80% of the time, but when you pushed it, boy it woke up!! 4am starts to Snowdonia for a spot of mountaineering were indeed happy 😊 days. Oh dear, I've got a tear in my eye 👁.
Brilliant honest review James. Editing of your content, as always is excellent.
My brother has one, its red as well.. ;) I totally get where you are coming from. My problem is having wrecked an Alfa he owned, I definitely don't dare driving it to its limit! But it is fun being a passenger when he does 4 wheel drifts it in!
The hyde like transformation is to be expected from the basis of a grp A champion. And experience has shown this type of car works BETTER in the wet
Brilliant review as usual mate! Stunning car aswell! Unbelievable how pricey they are these days though😳
One of your best reviews. They are getting more and more polished. I think the length of the video is also better than the shorter ones where you wished for me (eg vantage v12 manual)
Love the Delta Integrale! Very very cool car. Looks like a lot of fun!
Fantastic review. Thank you. The Integrale was not exported to many countries, presumably because Lancia could not keep up with the demand. I had to contend with the HF Turbo and thoroughly enjoyed it when on the North South highways in Malaysia. Its not surprising the prices are so high due to its rarity. Lancia needs to reintroduce a new Delta very much like Alfa Romeo’s new Giulia.
The dealer edition did make a lot of sense, just like my dad a car dealer in those years appreciated these cars and back in the days pre internet most special cars as this Lancia and early M's and Cosworths where sold to people in motorsport and the automotive world
I’ve had an evo 1for 18 years and it’s like a mistress
Only used on the weekend
Looks good, does what it’s supposed to, gets lots of attention all round and will cost you plenty
Wouldn’t change it for the world
This is my ultimate all-time dream car. Up there with the F40.
I have an Alfa 145Q, which story goes that Chris Bangle designed it originally as a Delta replacement. So at least is has some sort of vague link with the Delta 😂.
Haha, if you get an Evo, you get F40 indicator stalks. A bit from both columns, why not. :D
Why I got a subaru STI - could not afford one of these integrales and wanted a warranty....the current US STI in 2020 is brilliant for the same reasons. (geting wider, smaller, lighter wheels....)
Great video - nicely built.
Ok - i've been waiting 2 months to hear what was so wrong, but ultimately, very fair comments. Having owned my first Evo I from '96, and having an Evo II (GG) now this is what i know. 15" wheels are the best. I ruined my Evo I by going up to 16" wheels (which are standard on the Evo II) after an altercation with some traffic 'calming' chicane in Wimbledon that i actually couldn't go through at 50 - who knew! I disagree about the gearbox - it's great. What's not is the shift, so put the quick-shift kit on, as it's transformative. Standard Exhaust is also improved with something a bit more liberating (for power and sound), but little in it really. My Evo II has a rear strut brace also (found on the final edition as standard i believe), and to be honest the jury is out on that as to whether it brings anything to the party - just makes the feel at the rear it little less progressive when 'on it'. Other than that, all i can say is leave everything else as standard, and it's pure joy.
I posted one of these on my Instagram about a month ago and had about 10 people DM asking me if it was a Golf, still a car that is not known about but still epic
I've lusted after one of these ever since the 8v model came out in 88.had 3 hf turbos and loved Em I've driven 2 grales and makes me want one even more but the prices are crazy
I had a 1988 8valve which I loved but it was so unreliable! The wheel rims were soft and on back order so replacements were desperately slow coming thru & prevented using it. I had water in the boot from leaking seals which were never fixed. The fuel pump failed within 2500 miles. Plus a complete new dashboard was required when some knobs fell off!
After 6 months, I sold it to a pal who was really keen to have it but he had an engine bay fire shortly after & the insurance payout was at a loss. Maybe later ones are better sorted!
I like youngtimers, they are far from perfect but there are some special feeling when driving them. Would like to see you review saab 900 classic, turbo of course.
Always lusted after an integrale , unfortunately it’s now financially out of reach and for the investment would be disappointing. However, the escort cosworth was obviously inspired by the integrale, and the grandchild of the escos is the mk3 focus RS, in 25 years the mk3 will be as iconic, buy one now for half the price
"Good all rounder" is not a phrase often uttered when driving/riding Italian sports machinery,their bikes are the same,they only really work brilliantly when used as intended.✌👍
I was pondering buying a Delta as my first car. It was a non turbo (1.6 I think?) and a workmate was selling it. It was only around 7 years old and the lady only wanted £500. Sounded like a fun and very different car (with a 0-60 time of 10 seconds) especially as a 1st car. I'm glad that I got my dad to check it over first haha! As soon as I said Lancia my dad rolled his eyes and rightly so as it turned out. It was rotten with a staggering amount of rust for its age and had a host of electrical faults (electric windows, mirrors and central locking all didn't work from what I remember!) As you can imagine I didn't buy it and from that moment avoided anything Italian haha!
Great review, JayEmm. Some corrections in your video review
1) 0:01....It's Lan-Chia, not Lan-See-a
2) 3:47 ...now famous some arch extensions. Those arch extensions are the famous quattroesque fenders
My old boss had an Integrale in LHD (I think they only came in LHD). The dealer used to constantly borrow it for shows and demonstrations. It was special even back in 1993. They’d trailer it away and leave him any car of his choice for several days. He always let us drive his cars as he wasn’t precious about them so as a 21 year old I got to drive quite a few special cars. He eventually decided he couldn’t live with it (or rather he was 46 years old and it was a bit too young for him if truth be told). He replaced it with a 1996 Mercedes AMG C36 and then properly replaced it with a Subaru Impreza Turbo Terzo.
Oh I do love your reviews brother🤗
I have watched every single one since you began..........well apart from the EV ones 😂😂
I used to own two Delta Integrale and one EVO I. I still love the looks of the car but its performance in street configuration doesn't come close to the Lancia rally cars of that era or to modern sports cars. If you want to own one nowadays, you'd better service it yourself since there is always something to work on and good workshops specialized on Deltas are rare.
If you up the power to 350 HP the car becomes an utter joy to drive, don't forget to upgrade the breaks and the suspension as well. If you then change the transmission to a shorter one, fun on b roads never ends. But in essence the car is not worth the money it goes for today, you'd be better off buying a Lotus Elise if you seek pure driving pleasure or maybe the new Toyota GR Yaris.
Got to see a Martini Racing livery model version at a local C&C 2 years ago. Funny thing that day...I was wearing a Blipshift shirt with the very same car on it😎
Oh, how I miss my Giallo lover.
My 23 year old son still goes on about it 15 years later
Evo 2/ 1994
Larger intercooler and short-shifter. Otherwise was standard and mint. Epic experience.
You were right though.
It is basically a stunning looking Nissan Micra up to 7/10ths but when you unleash the car it is incredible. It took me some time to unlock all of this, which, to be fair, you would not do in few drives. You just scratched the surface. It becomes a love affair and I never really ever drove it slowly in my time with it. Ha, so many memories. Damn. I have had some nice cars but this is the one that made me just stare at it in a post-euphoric state after driving it hard.
I am hoping the new Emira on order finally scratches that same deep itch.
I wish Lancia had made a modern version of the Integrale, like a 20 year anniversary limited edition, it would have been snapped up. Some of the concepts people have designed are quite beautiful. My favourite is the HF concept design. This car has really aged well tbf
Please, yes........ please? 😯
Those wheels ❤️
The size, makes a Clio look like an S
The font on the clocks.
The spoiler angle.
Should have bought one when they were 25g. HUGE mistake.
One of my favorite of all time
FE springs ruin the car, try one on standard springs. But you should have loved the steering, it should be razor sharp and millimeter accurate.
Bought a three year old one in 1996 from the specialists in Bishops Storford it looked fab. That is the only positive thing I can say about it - three turbos, two clutches, one radiator in 18 months and bits falling off inside (roof lining, switches and handles and outside (grille). Also really really slow if under 4500 revs... so much so that on twisty back roads you had to keep slipping the clutch and rowing the gearbox to keep up with others in less exotic steers!
Oooo I been waiting for this 😍 thanks jay
You didn't compare its performance with modern cars. That tells me that it's fun, even by today's standards, which is high praise indeed for a classic.
No mate, it's modern cars that lack the fun factor and can't match many 80s cars even in a head to head race, with all their heft from all the active/passive safety, pothole windows, beeping noises, stupid push button starts and electronics that limits your freedom to handle the car which isn't built to handle to start with.
God I love this gorgeous beauty! I saw a blue one overtake me on the highway the other day. 😍
A bloke I used to know ran a little one car garage out of an industrial unit.
He was a good mechanic, honest cheap work.
One day someone brought him a Delta HF Integrale for him to fix, a water pump I believe needed replacing.
8 hrs later it was done.
Not long after this man gave up his little business.
I blame the Delta.
I have owned my lord blu evo 2 since 2003.... Mine is on standard suspension and is a European spec car.
I'm amazed you say the steering gives no feedback..... I have always found the steering to be one of it's best bits.
Also the gearchange I have always found acceptable especially compared to my Alfasud Sprint....
I do agree that they aren't on paper worth the huge money they are these days.... but considering there were only 2500 evo 2 cars built and the American market opening up as the cars hit 25 years old, the demand has pushed the price up rightly or wrongly.
Black is not a standard evo2 colour..(lt was available to special order).. but white is...along with blue(as mine is) and red as you say.
Parts supply is a lot better than it was in the mid 2000s...
Martini 5 and 6 and Verde York are actually EVO1....
Personally I love my car and cannot think of another I would change it for....although I will admit the attention it gets I don't really like.... people taking photos while driving when they should be focusing in what they are doing..... if they end up in my boot.... "sorry but I was taking a photo" won't go down well....
Spare parts Situation improved. Fiat produces bumpers again for example, or 3D printed and milled parts will keep the Delta alive.
Cool cars and love them. But when you ask the question are the Integrale worth the current value/price? IMO they are overpriced massive...but like everything it's ask & demand.
Much like any car that touches bring a trailer or any other mainstream car auction site.
A loved lemon i remember well was my 1.5.
Besides some other minor fixes i had to replace the Engine and later it went on fire.
Still, there are some worth while driving memories.
20% of the time it works all the times’ , are you a friend of Ron Burgundy? LOL
Good review
Try to do a review on the new Peugeots, they've been looking great lately
You know what I saw a 508 estate yesterday and it looked stunning
.. Peugeot car Perverts.......
(I own a V6 406 Coupe and a 206GTi.....)
@@JayEmmOnCars the interiors are pretty next level too, even on the entry level 208
Do you not feel they look like a kia stinger?
Sorry but you’ve got you history wrong. The HF4WD was the 1st car Lancia entered in to rallying after group B died. It then became the Integrale then next year.
Imagine...you are in the mid 80ies and you have to build a winning rally car. All you have is a normal, boxy family hatchback. And then some...geniuses? madmen? car lovers? all fo it...turn it in a dragon, spitting fire and with blood on his teeth...
6 WRC in a row, and they were not racing alone...the other car builders were not joking, but theyhad to wait Lancia to quit to began winning. Even when the Integrale was tragically outdated, she was a hard pray.
Oh, these Italians...
Yes, transmission is rubbish, the rear haych leaks, inner plastics sucks....but she is still wonderful. Lancia (real Lancia...) we miss you so much....
Ps very nice video. Greetings from Italy.
When you look at Drivers verses manufacturers in WRC in makes interesting reading. No one has dominated like Lancia until Citron came along.
I'm happy you aren't calling it a "LON-CHA"
Pronounced Lan Cha
But Larn si ah. Is ok
This and the 1990 Nissan 300zx tt would be the only 2 cars i would want in my garage.
Awesome review as usual.
300zx looks amazing still
Nowadays the closest thing to this on the market is a Toyota Yaris, who would have thought that a few years ago?
It is nothing like it, the Integrale had a purpose, to be the base for a rally car, while the Yaris is nothing more than pointless toy.
@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X LOL what a load of bs
@@Mgoblagulkablong
It's the truth. One is a homologation car, the other is not.
Great review 👍🏻
Hi James, great film, thank you. Only in a small way can I relate to your experience. In 1993 I had a new tipo sedicivalvole, with the same engine minus the turbocharger. Up to 4000 rpm, nothing, then it would come alive. So to have fun you had to fully commit. Clutch was heavy and gear box hard work. However fond memories. Glad you are keeping well. Best wishes mark
Great car. One of our customers had one as his daily's.
I used my old one daily and in the snow used to deliver car parts in it lol
Had an opportunity to buy one of these or an E30 M3 Evo back in the late 90's when the money was reasonable. Didn't do it, squandered the cash and kicked myself ever since. C'est la vie
I'm an Evo 2 owner myself. I have a Bianco Perla. I can see where James is coming from saying that the car doesn't give you anything under 8 / 10. I think that's one of the reasons why, in fact, these tend to have massive mileage on. It's because, not in spite, of this schizophrenic characteristic. If you can picture this: while you're outside of the power band, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale is an eminently usable hatchback. You can happily potter about town, quietly, do school and shopping runs, whatever you want. If you put your foot down, the Delta becomes VERY different. Like a modded Japanese car it's eager and zippy. And the boost pushes you back in your seat. And you feel like she has eternal grip. The only thing that really ruins this experience is its market value... It's very uncomfortable, I find, to simply go around and live happy when your car is worth around $100K. That "nobber" has trouble expressing himself in that circumstance... Great review. One of the best.
Yeah, the ever increasing market value is both a blessing and a curse. I barely dare to drive the car the way it is intended. I think I had the perfect combo for a while when I owned a Peugeot 106 Rallye MkII at the same time. The Rallye was amazing fun even in legal speeds, and cheap enough to thrash around. And when I feelt naughty, I just brought out the HF... :P
Totally agree.... I do so few miles in my evo2 these days..... the value/attention ....its a curse indeed.
Nice review of a complex car. I had an 1988 8v in black back in 1998 for couple years. Had to sell for an everyday car. Only 5k to buy then as well.
Funny, more of these. And it sounds really honest. Thanks :)
This is the thing with Italian cars of this ilk, they frustrate and need TLC, but have charisma and passion like nothing else
Thanks for sharing this very detailed knowledgeable review
Seems like this would be a great candidate for a resto mod, sort the brakes, gear change and suspension, make 400 bhp and ta dah!
Somebody has done that and is building them from scratch but they are £100k plus.
Even wider arches, bigger wheels and brakes and a lot of weight saved, oh and lots more power.
Chris Harris has recently taken a Mk I Integrale (his own) to Wales and got beside himself as to its amazing capabilties. But then, Chris Harris is a guy who drives cars only in what James calls the upper 7/10'ths.
beautiful car this. i have lots of its scale models. one of my hero cars of all time.
The delta intergrale IS the hatchback quattro. Awesome car. Wonder what it would be like with a Quattro grille and lights