1985 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale

1985 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale
VIN. ZLA038AR000000033
1,759cc DOHC 16v 4-Cylinder Engine
Dual Stepped Volumex Supercharger and KKK Turbocharger
Weber Marelli IAW Electronic Fuel Injection
Upgraded to Potenziato specification, producing 300bhp
5-Speed Manual Transaxle - All Wheel Drive
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Showing less than 14,000 miles on odometer
*Rare Group B homologation car with 'twin-charged' engine
*Restoration completed by marque specialist Baldi Brothers
*Offered with factory tool kit, jack, owner's manual, press brochure, and fully documented restoration

THE LANCIA DELTA S4

Drawing on the success of the Lancia Rally 037, Lancia executives set in motion their plans for a successor to the retiring rear-wheel drive platform in their World Rally Championship efforts. Facing stiff competition from other automakers who had successfully implemented all-wheel drive systems and higher output engines, Lancia conceptualized and constructed its new platform, the Delta S4. With its focus set on a lightweight, all-wheel drive platform, the development team elected to conform to requirements of the naturally-aspirated 2,500cc (forced induction limited to 1,785cc) class. Compared to the 037, which competed in the larger displacement but heavier 3,000cc class, the Delta S4 was permitted to compete at a reduced minimum weight of 890kg. It proved more than formidable, as the Delta S4 was the most powerful Group B Rally car that Lancia ever produced. It ended up winning its debut race at the 1985 RAC Rally.

The foundation of the Delta S4 chassis started with a CroMoly steel tubular space frame. Reinforced with aluminum alloy, the steel skeleton was then covered with epoxy and fiberglass body panels. The latticed, tubular frame also permitted easy access to the engine, transmission and the all-wheel driveline for maintenance and repair.

Mounted within the tubular lattice work of the rear section, engineers positioned the oversquare (88.5mm bore x 71.5mm stroke) 1,759cc Lancia mill. Instead of seating iron or hard alloy cylinder liners, this engine featured aluminum cylinder bores with a hardened ceramic surface to handle the rigors of the combustion process. Given the turbocharger technology of the day, the Lancia Delta S4's inline four-cylinder engine could have reached a staggering 480+ horsepower (in full WRC race trim with calibration). However, this peak power output would come at the sacrifice of bottom-end response. To compensate for the notorious turbo lag, Lancia incorporated a responsive, positive-displacement supercharger. Its successful implementation of the first twin-charged forced induction solution served in both the homologation vehicles and the full racecars. The engine powering the homologation vehicles employed a Weber-Marelli IAW Integrated Electronic Ignition and Fuel Injection system conservatively calibrated to generate 247bhp at 6,750rpm and 215 lb-ft torque at 4,500rpm.

Engineers mated a 5-speed transmission to the full-time all-wheel driveline of the twin-charged engine to get all four wheels turning. This driveline included a new center differential that delivers a 30/70 torque split to the open front differential and the limited slip rear differential, respectively.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This Lancia Delta S4 is being sold with less than 14,000 miles from new and has more recently benefited from a thorough restoration by famed Turinese Abarth and Lancia restoration company, the Baldi Brothers. In their care, the body, which was previously painted Verde York, was returned to its factory metallic red finish while the chassis and mechanical components were restored to like-new condition.

Inside the Delta S4's cabin, the two-seat cockpit comes adorned with Alcantara upholstery, sound deadening, a suede steering wheel, power steering, a trip computer and air conditioning. Although sparsely equipped for street duty, the absence of just about anything not pertaining to driving or competition contributed to the weight reductions.

Although the S4 Stradale was delivered as a detuned example of the Group B racing car, chassis 033 has been given a performance upgrade to Potenziato specification which includes an upgraded clutch, exhaust system, a wider rear wheel and tire combination, and an engine software update increasing power output to 300 bhp. The car is complete with tools, jack, owner's manual, press brochures, and photographic documentation of the restoration.

With very few of the original 200 cars built still on the road, this immaculate, low mileage, matching numbers Lancia Delta S4 Stradale offers an incredible opportunity to own a significant piece of Lancia and World Rally history.