Profile and history

Fruit of Giorgetto Giugiaro, was born in the fall of 1979 as a replacement for the Fulvia (which was discontinued in 1972).

But the Lancia Delta was not a direct heir to the Fulvia, the market changes led Lancia, like all other car manufacturers, to change its model range entering new segments on horseback between the old ones; The fact Fulvia was replaced first by the Lancia Beta and then (without deleting from the Beta) was proposed market the Delta which later was joined Lancia Prisma (successor of Beta); both they testified models an obvious growth of the middle range of the house, which now offered a compact hatchback (the Delta precisely) and 3 volumes (Beta / Prisma) both successors of Fulvia.

First series (1979-1983)

 
Side view of the Delta first series (1979-1982)
The internal project code to the Fiat group for this model was Y5. The chassis was very sophisticated for its time: the wheel independent suspension were both on the front and rear; in particular the latter was provided with transverse arms and longitudinal strut, with the peculiarity not usual to be able to adjust the convergence of the wheels on this axle also. The Lancia Delta was proposed initially with two four-cylinder engines with overhead cam head and light alloy cylinder, (Fiat origin, but improved in the feed), the 1301 cc (78 hp) or 1498 cm³ 85 CV, along with a 1100 cc engine intended, for tax reasons, only to the markets of some countries like Greece and Portugal.

The car brought several innovations for its time, such as front and rear bumpers made inresina polyester reinforced with glass fibers and The room features heated rear window with rear wiper, adjustable mirror inside, three wiper speed and height adjustable steering wheel.

Produced in the various arrangements and developments from 1979 to 1993 is intended as all Lancia to clients of refined tastes, despite the price a little 'higher than the competition (justified by the quality of the finishes and the full complement of standard accessories), the Delta ended up becoming one of the most favorite cars from the middle class of the eighties and early nineties.

In 1980 the Delta s'aggiudicò the "Car of the Year" award. In 1982 it was launched the Delta 1500 LX with standard equipment worthy of higher-ranking vehicles, such as electric windows, leruote light alloy, thermo-pane windows and the split rear seat.

Second series (1983-1986)

In 1983 the first modifications were introduced, giving rise to the second round: wraparound bumpers, grille redesigned, eliminating the rear fascia and satin finishing touches to the interior. On this occasion it was launched versions 1600 GT (later with electronic fuel injection) 1600 HF Turbo (pictured left), driven by a 4-cylinder DOHC of 1585 cm³ naturally aspirated (105 hp the carburettor version) or turbo carburetors (130 hp). The range was completed by versions in 1300 and 1300 LX, while the engine in 1500 was restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission 3 reports.

(Source wikipedia)