Description:

LANCIA DELTA HF INTEGRALE 8v Gr.A MARTINI RACING (ABARTH SE044)

• Works Group A specification (Abarth SE044)
• Official Lancia Martini Racing test and development car
• Matching numbers example
• Retains original ABARTH competition configuration
• Accompanied by spare parts package
• Raised “Safari/rough gravel” configuration
• Certified by FCA Heritage – Lancia Classiche
• Eligible for major historic events including Rallylegend, Eifel Rallye Festival and Goodwood Festival of Speed

In 1987, the FIA introduced new regulations for Group A cars, developed in the wake of the Group B category, which had been banned following the tragic events of 1986. Lancia Martini Racing responded immediately with the Delta HF 4WD, which dominated the 1987 season, winning nine out of thirteen rallies and securing both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Championships with Juha Kankkunen.

Building on this success and in preparation for the following season, Lancia developed a new car coded SE044, better known as the Delta HF Integrale. The model made its debut at the 1988 Rallye de Portugal, the third round of the World Rally Championship. Numerous improvements were introduced over the outgoing version, thanks to the work of Claudio Lombardi’s team at Abarth: a larger Garrett T3 turbocharger paired with a more efficient and better-positioned intercooler, wider track and flared wheel arches to accommodate larger wheels and tyres, and most notably, the introduction of the new 6-speed R70 gearbox.

OUR CAR – TO74781L (# 460255)

At the beginning of 1989, in preparation for early-season testing, Abarth built six new bodyshells in different configurations: TO74780L and TO74781L (the present car) as lightweight asphalt shells, TO74782L and TO74783L in heavy gravel/Safari specification, and TO74784L and TO74785L for light gravel use. These cars played a key role in the development of the technical innovations introduced for the new racing season, contributing to significant competitive results culminating in Lancia’s third consecutive Constructors’ World Championship title.

Chassis TO74781L was registered in January 1989 as a test car for the Rallye Monte-Carlo and for the Miki Biasion / Siviero crew, and it retains its original configuration, including SPARCO competition seats. Following its use by Abarth, the car was transferred to the satellite Holzer team in Germany, which, with factory support, carried out mechanical and bodyshell updates in accordance with FIA homologation papers and their extensions. Remaining in 8v configuration, it continued its career in the German Rally Championship until 1990, when, following the introduction of the new 16v model, it was sold to Grenoble Sport Auto in France.

In the late 1990s, chassis “1L” was repatriated to Italy by Autoieri of Dronero (Cuneo), before being acquired by its current owner in 2015. Following a meticulous preservation-focused restoration carried out by Key Sport of Rimini, a leading specialist in the field, the car was awarded the FCA Heritage – Lancia Classiche Certificate of Authenticity, receiving the highest possible score for originality.

The car retains all the defining features of its original Abarth competition specification, both in the cockpit—complete with original Biasion/Siviero seats, fire suppression system, and HALDA RALLY tripmaster—and mechanically, with its 8-valve engine, IAW70 engine management system, and 6-speed R70 gearbox.

Eligible for participation in the most prestigious international historic events, including Rallylegend, Eifel Rallye Festival, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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