The Delta model itself was a chronological replacement for the Beta and carried over the best parts of the chassis, the MacPherson independent suspension on both front and rear. The styling was by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who designed the rival VW Golf. Initially powered by Fiat Ritmo 1300 and 1500 engines, in 1983 a refined 1585 cc twin-cam engine of Lampredi design was adopted.

From 1985 to 1986, the Delta S4 was developed in collaboration with Abarth with the sole aim of winning the WRC, turning it into a 'monster machine'. Considered the successor to the victorious Lancia Rally 037, only 200 were produced to qualify for Group B homologation. Apart from the name, it had little in common with the standard Delta. With its lightweight body and powerful engine, the monster performed dangerously well in road racing, leading to the tragic accidental deaths of Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresto in a Delta S4 in 1986. This was a major factor in the demise of Group B.

Then, from the 1987 season, Group A became the new 'headline category' of the WRC. To be approved to compete in Group A, a car had to produce 5000 units in a 12-month period, have a maximum power output of less than 300 hp and a vehicle weight of less than 1035 kg. This was set to make the machines more robust and slower, and to provide safety for participants and the public. The mandatory production of more than 5,000 units also meant that the competition base car had to be a realistic road car with reasonable sales potential.

Lancia then quickly ramped up production of the HF 4WD in 1986, with a Thema Turbo engine and Prisma 4WD all-wheel drive system. The Prisma transmission was improved with a sportier Torsen differential at the rear, and three works cars were brought to the Monte Carlo Rally in 1987, with Miki Biasion and Tiziano Siviero making their debut win. This was followed by Juha Kankkunen/Juha Pironen in second place. The WRC Manufacturers' Championship was also won and Lancia's golden era began. 1988 saw Miki Biasion win the WRC title in the newly introduced Integrale, and the following year he won the Delta title again, this time in a Delta. The following year he repeated the feat by winning back-to-back titles at the wheel of a Delta.

The HF 4WD road car has a silhouette that could be mistaken for a VW Golf, but the pinstripe decals on the sides and the Missoni fabric and Alcantara seats are "very Lancia". The compact body is powered by a 2.0-litre engine for a fast-paced, lightweight driving experience, and the exquisite handling and driving feel of the HF 4WD is unmatched by any other car. It is a fun car to drive in town or on mountain roads.

And this is the HF 4WD, the very car that marked the beginning of the golden age of the Lancia Delta. The history that makes this car so special is that it was owned for a while from new by Miki Biasion, who was in his prime back in 1987. Three years ago we imported it to Japan and sold it to its first owner in Japan. The car has been in good hands since it arrived in Japan and has been repainted, including the mouldings and mirrors, and is now the cleanest HF 4WD in the world. We hope that you will take it out to various places to extend the distance you have covered with the WRC Champion.