WTF is a Lancia

[crayzayjay]

I guess that's pretty accurate, the Integrale is basically the WRX's predecessor, the godfather of them all! Although many 'grale owners wouldn't be too pleased with the comparison, as they see the Lancia as being much more exclusive, prestigious, and generally more of a classy car. There's generally a feeling of dislike between owners of the 2. It doesn't stretch to that for me, but there is no doubt I would pick the lowliest of Integrales over the best/quickest Impreza/Mitsu Evo.
But hey thats just my opinion!

I have only had the pleasure of driving an Integrale once. It was a '92 Madras Blue EVO1 which was in mint condition. I only had the privilege of driving it for about 15-20 mins but I remember it as one helluva car. A friend of a friend has a red EVO2. We were cruising in the car when he suddenly put the hammer down and drove flat out in 2nd through a fairly tight roundabout and the thing just stuck to the road. Needless to say I shat myself! The exhaust sound was pretty nice, too.
I'm saving up for a Limited Edition Giallo EVO2, they are something else, though there are rumours that they are cursed! LOL

If you're still interested in the car I can put up more links to sites and articles if you'd like

Cheers
jay

PS. your 80's book will not show the Integrale in its final (and best) form as the Evoluzione

[Chris]

The book I have has an S4 in it. It is the only regular production car to have both supercharging and turbocharging (the blower at low rpm's, the turbo at high rpms).
It made 250hp, and is based on the rally car. AWD helps to get a 6 second 0-60, and go 140mph. Kinda neat, IMO

[crayzayjay]

Yeah it's got to be said the S4 is a pretty scary, brutish looking thing, as were most Group B rally cars. It's supposed to be a hell of a drive, too. Do you follow the WRC, do you know/have an interest in all this stuff?

I have an S4 article i'll scan and post up when i'm a little less busy with work, it compares it to a Peugeot 205 Group B rally car, pretty interesting. I just tried to attach a pdf file about an integrale but it wouldnt let me , not a valid file type.
I'm trying to find a few links to a few Integrale & S4 sites that I have somewhere, they should be up fairly soon.

cheers
jay

[crayzayjay]

Originally posted by Hudson
Lancia's WERE officially offered for sale in the US for years. Max Hoffman introduced Lancias to the US in the late 1950s or early 1960s. They finally withdrew from this market in 1982. Their final products in the US were the Beta (coupe, HPE, and Zagato) and Gamma.

it's a shame you didnt get the Integrale's though as far as i know hatchbacks dont have such a huge market in the states. Its also a shame that there aren't many (any? correct me if im wrong) Alfa Romeo's, Lancia's or FIAT's there either. They make some pretty stylish cars.

cheers
jay

[Chris]

We had all of those once, but not anymore. Too bad, as they got crappy in the 70's, but are getting good again.

Yes, I have an interest in rally. When I get a car, I plan to join a rally club near me. Whenever possible I watch it on speedvision. I am also on the SWRT mailing list, aswell as the WRC mailing list, so I know a bit about whats going on. I think rally is the best form of motorsport out there

[crayzayjay]

yeah, rally is pretty cool, though i have to say i prefer F1.
Still, they're both amazing, i'll watch either!
Go McRae! The guy kicks ass!

cheers
jay

[Chris]

A McRae man, eh? I like Burns, but next year McRae will be driving for Subbie, then I can cheer for him

[crayzayjay]

i dont really like burns, im afraid.. the guy whinges too much!! McRae is a man, burnsy a boy!
i have a cool interview with both of 'em, ill post it up... it shows McRae as a funny guy and RB as somewhat of an arrogant jerk.

cheers
jay

[ales]

Hi, Britts

Right now I'm cheering for Burns, but next year, when Markko Martin is going to Ford, I guess I'll be cheering for Colin (and Markko)

[CIN]

The integrale is incredible. I actually see some frequently. The take part in the local hill climb championship. Needless to say that they look really good.

One guy with a Black Integrale evoluzione even managed to get a time 4 seconds quicker than both a Mitsubishi Lanevo6 and a Impreza WRX Sti in one race. Integrales handle better than both of those cars which give a nice advantage if you have equal power.







332hp at the wheels.

CIN

[crayzayjay]

CIN>
another 'grale man! cool! where abouts are ya?

cheers
jay

[crayzayjay]

ALES>
so what is it that determines who you cheer for??

cheers
jay

[crayzayjay]

In case some of you have never seen one, this is another great Lancia rally car, the 037.
Is this an awesome car or what???

cheers
jay

[crayzayjay]

nice shot of it in action..

[crayzayjay]

... and the road version: