When it was introduced in 1979, few could believe that the Lancia Delta would eventually go on to be the vehicle that would win six World Rally Championships in a row for Lancia, from 1987 to 1992. But before the four wheel drive arrived, before the championships began to amass, there was the car you see before you here. Introduced in 1979, the original Delta featured a 1.5 liter four cylinder engine with 85 horsepower, front-wheel drive and squared off lines penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The combination was attractive enough to win the European Car of the Year award for 1980. This like new example residing in the Netherlands is possibly one of the best examples of an early Delta left.
1983 Lancia Delta 1500
The Lancia Delta was introduced in 1979 and was voted European Car of the Year in 1980 by an international jury. It was a Giorgietto Giugiaro design. With the total concept of the Delta with its transversal mounted engine, front wheel drive and independent suspension a new era began in the Lancia history. The engine’s of the Delta had 1300 cc and 1500 cc with 75 hp and 85 hp. The larger engine had electronic ignition. The Delta was manufactured on a computer controlled assembly line, a guarantee for a better than average quality. From 1980 until 1986 the Delta was exported to the Scandinavian countries as "Saab-Lancia 600." Later the Delta was very successful in many international rallies in the HF Integrale version until the early nineties.
The 1983 Lancia Delta 1500 of the 1st series now available at Montagna ha had only one previous lady owner from Germany who drove 62.600 km with the car. The car is in an extraordinary condition and looks, drives and handles like a new car, a real collector’s item!
For a thirty year old vehicle, this Lancia is in amazing condition. Showroom condition is a term often thrown about on vehicle forecoruts, but this car lives up to that hype. For $7,500 USD, this is an amazing piece of Lancia history. Even if it isn't one of the faster Integrale versions, the appeal of this car lies beyond speed. This was where an icon began.
-Paul