1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Martini 5

The Lancia Delta was first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1979. The Delta is best known for its domination of The World Rally Championship in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The first "Evoluzione' cars were built at the end of 1991 and carried on through 1992. These were to be the final homologation cars built for the Lancia Rally Team which raced under the Martini Racing banner. The Evoluzione II was never actually rallied by the factory themselves. In order to improve the handling, the Evoluzione had a wider track front and rear than earlier Deltas. So in order to fit this track into the bodywork, the wide wheel arches were extended even further and in the process also became more rounded. The new Integrale retained the four wheel drive layout. It had an epicyclic centre diff with torque splitter, plus a Ferguson viscous coupling and Torsen rear differential. The engine, although technically the same as the earlier 16V cars, was remapped to give 210bhp at 5750rpm in order to compensate for the slight increase in weight and increased frontal area. These improvements were aimed at improving the handling potential of the car and it worked, with the new Integrale being able to travel 5% faster over rally sections both asphalt and gravel.

This is a 1992 Lancia Delta Integrale and is 1 of only 400 Martini 5 Special Edition models produced (VIN ZLA831AB000567366). It was the first of a number of special production runs in the final two years of the Lancia Evo's career. The Martini 5 series was released in the summer of 1992 after Lancia had won the Rally World Championship for a fifth time. The mechanicals were unchanged but the '5' was distinguished by personalised bodywork, white wheel rims, the Martini-Racing colours adorning the sides, black bonnet grilles and a black spoiler on the back.

This Lancia Delta Integrale Martini 5 was supplied new to Stilauto, Milan on 2nd July 1992. It comes equipped with 17" Speedline wheels, an OMP steering wheel, a Lancia factory specification non-catalyst Group B exhaust system, high backed bucket Recaro seats, black Alcantara interior trim with red stitching and red seat belts. Having resided in sunny Italy for many years, the bodywork and interior of this car are in excellent condition. Underneath the car is in excellent condition and there are no signs of rust anywhere.

Buyers should be aware that this lot has formed part of a large private collection and has been stood for some time in a heated environment, as such, some remedial works may be required. The Martini 5 is considered one of the most desirable Delta Intergrales ever built and this is one of the finest examples you are likely to find anywhere in the world with only 12,974 kilometres reading on the odometer. Supplied with its original service book and an old style V5 document that will be provided following the auction, this car is a rare opportunity to purchase one of the most iconic designs of its era.