My first Delta, indeed my first Lancia, was a single cam 1.5. After being used to Mk2 Escorts and Fiestas it was a revelation, not only in the handling department compared to the Ford offerings (why are they so highly rated now
) but toi my surprise the power didn't tail off at 4,000 rpm like in other cars we were used to as teenagers, the Delta seemed to have an extra power band once above that range and loved to rev out to the redline. Loved that car even if I did have to replace the metal fuel tank as it was like swiss cheese, we even tried welding it whilst full of water but it still leaked, remember placing the order at Mountview Motors Lancia agent in Horncastle as you couldn't get a pattern one, was around £150 from memory and the parts guy seemed reluctant to order one thinking I must be mad as the car only cost me about that to buy! This would have been about 1987 and the car wasn't that old although I can't recall the Reg. No. now.
I also recall the gear linkage falling out of the floor when one too many J turns was done whilst trying to impress a young lady one Sunday afternoon in Mablethorpe car park
Had to drive home holding the gear lever up to stop it dragging on the road, don't think the girl was that impressed and I didn't see her again. The car didn't last too much longer either, can't recall what did eventually finish it off but was most likely due to my youthful exuberance. Not long after that I bought a Mk1 Astra and went rallying, an ex Vauxhall Astra/Nova challenge car, had some great fun with that too. Colin McRae was just finishing driving a Nova before getting the Prodrive Subaru Legacy, after an outing or two in Dads Sierra. A great time to be in Rallying.
I have a Clio 172 ex race car sat in my shed which I've never used but threaten to convert to Tarmac Rally spec, before I get way too old to remember anything!
