1986 Lancia Delta S4 Group B
Following Audi's lead, Lancia had introduced a new four-wheel-drive World Rally Championship contender in 1985, the Delta S4, which bore a passing resemblance to its road-going namesake. That likeness though, was merely skin deep, for the two cars had next to nothing in common mechanically. For whereas the Delta road car was a conventional, front-wheel-drive, five-seater hatchback, the two-seater S4 was mid-engined and featured a tubular spaceframe chassis – similar to that of the Rally 037 and incorporating fully adjustable all-independent suspension – beneath lightweight composite bodywork.
The transmission drove all four wheels via central and rear differentials while the Abarth-designed 1,759cc, 16-valve engine broke new ground also, employing both supercharging and turbo-charging to reduce the effects of 'turbo lag' at low revs. A maximum power output of around 400bhp was available from the start, rising to in excess of 500bhp by the end of development.
After the required 200 models required by Group B regulations had, allegedly, been constructed, the competition version made its first appearance in November 1985 at the RAC Rally, Henri Toivonen and Markku Alén finishing 1st and 2nd respectively to record one of the most successful debuts in rallying history. The Delta S4 went on to score three more World Championship victories in 1986, before being compulsorily retired at the end of the year when the FIA imposed Group A regulations for 1987. The FIA's decision was prompted by a series of serious accidents, including Toivonen's fatal crash in Corsica at the wheel of a works S4, which also claimed the life of his co-driver, Sergio Cresto.
Bonhams will be offering this example at their upcoming Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais in Paris on the 8th February. Its estimated value is between €580,000 - €780,000. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos courtesy of Bonhams.