Over at Evo there’s a nice story from Stephen Dobie about meeting his automotive hero. In this case it was the iconic and super, super awesome Lancia Delta HF Integrale. It’s a car that I have yearned for as well. Somehow or other Lancia arranged a mish-mash of awkward boxes to create one of the coolest cars of its era.
What they also made was one of the most effective rally weapons ever produced. And in those Martini Racing colours, well, it just doesn’t get any better than that.
So, what is the Lancia actually like to drive. Today, in the 21st century?
According to Dobie, “It’s slow (my Clio long-termer felt like a rocket on the return trip home), it has no brakes (there was a ‘disconcerting’ moment approaching my first roundabout…) and its list of idiosyncrasies is hilariously long. Not being able to read the speedo no matter how I positioned the seat was a highlight.”
But in true hero fashion those idiosyncrasies weren’t enough to deter him from drawing this conclusion, “Yep, it’s flawed, but it’s fantastic. I’ve met my hero, and I love it.”
I’ve been through a similar process recently after the purchase of a 1980 Mk1 Golf GTI. I hold the same opinion as Dobie, too, that my hero in a modern day context makes little sense. But as a driving experience it rewards like no modern car can. So, leave your thoughts in the comments section below, and tell us what is your automotive hero? One that, if it were for sale today, you would consider buying.
[Source: Evo]
12 replies on “We can be heroes”
Ha! People who know me on the webs already know my answer.
Ford Escort MkI RS1600
The Integrale would make my top 10 too.
Some years ago, I recall that Ford found a load of half made Escorts and parts, enough for a few new 30 year old cars. Dunno what happened to them in the end, but, if the same thing ever happened at Peugeot and they had some brand new 205 GTI 1.9’s I’d be on the next plane to France. I’d love to think out of sheer charity they would offer these at a knock down $15,000 but in all reality, tragics like me would pay over double that.
Very true.
China is now starting to stamp out flares / guards etc…for old skool cars from their factories to keep up with the restoration demand and rust 🙂
Won’t be long before they start manufacturing shells too I reckon.
Not a true hero car to me but I’d have definitely bought one of those Golf Citi’s based on the Mk1 if they were sold here.
Stubs, the CitiGolf isnt engined heftily enough. You would be better off with a late 16V MkII.
For me, UR Quattro. 20V version. I also love the Integrale, though.
Well comparing the 80’s sports cars to anything that has over 150HP these days isn’t fair a bit really. Even though I enjoy these older sports cars very much, like the next guy, but you got to understand that there is almost 30 years of development that has passed since it’s introduction. And yeah, I would give any sum of money if I had it for a Lancia like that 🙂
Steve – a new car based on an old design updated a little to modern standards of comfort vs a 20 year old shit crate filled with archaic rusting and worn technology long since outdated and sure to bring me hassles.. hmm let me think, i reckon i can go 0-100 .2 or so seconds slower 😛
NSX for me – exotic, fun and far less hassle
Yeah, an NSX is not a bad suggestion. I wonder what sort of money they sell for now?
On the other hand one of the handful of E30 M3s in Australia might be nice too. Not so sure about the less hassle, haha.
I would go for a 99/00 Honda Integra Type R. I still occasionally look on carsales for one for a 2nd car but too many of them have been bastardised with 19″ chromes and huge subwoofers. If I was working back then I would have snapped one up quicksmart!
Liam, NSX’s start at (give or take) $50k here, but most are autos. I know…I’ve been checking them out as a possible driveway addition for the last 6 months. Perhaps an urban myth, but it’s said that Honda has never had an engine failure on a V-Tec, which when it comes to spending the deposit on a house on a 20 year old car instead, is pretty reassuring.
Nice suggestion Dave – I had one for almost five years and 120K – it didn’t miss a beat and I never got sick of the VTEC kick