The Dragon And The Princess…In Wonderland
About the Delta Integrale you probably have already read everything possible, many of you will know each number and victories, but VitadiStile could not avoid talking about a superstar like it: the beast that, more than any other, has led Lancia drivers to dominate the world.
First of all we should start from the very beginning, with the presentation of the new model made by the Company in 1991: after having won quite everything with the 4WD and then with the Integrale in its various models, Lancia presents the evolution of the species …!
To tell you something about it, without repeating the usual stories, I decided with Federico, our photographer, to show a less obvious side of its personality. So we’ve found an amazing version in one of its most glamorous color: the York Green.
A livery that would not disfigure even if parked in front of the Royal Palace of Venaria, or at the entrance of a Grand Hotel. We could immortalize it in the park of a wealthy villa of the province or at a hunting lodge, ready to leisure with golf clubs or to leave for the mountains during the first weekend of the season, safe in all weather conditions thanks to the four-wheel drive.
All situations of life in high society would have seemed ordinary administration for a car which was also chosen by refined customers, convinced by the technical features and the image of this victorious Made in Italy product. In particular, the “York Green” edition was produced in only 500 units during 1992, divided among 300 8 valves and 200 16v; from July, it presented various accessories worthy of the premium segment, as Solextra glasses and Recaro cognac seats.
Suddenly, however, we thought about what this sculpture on wheels means to us, carved with a hatchet, with features as strong as a lumberjack body, tempered by difficulties that always manages to overcome, in the endless confrontation between man and nature.
Young like us, born in the late ’80s, we see it as a myth, a flag, this was the car of our dreams when we were kids: it has influenced the imagination of children for decades and, apparently, it still does . More than Ferrari and Lamborghini, is something universally recognized: it is the “rally car” in the minds of everyone. Hard, dirty and bad, it has bewitched all the fans, who in recent years have made its quotes reach the top.
This impression has given us the idea: emphasizing the sophisticated image with an elegant location, the challenge is to get us back to our childhood, placing the animal in an enchanted fairytale landscape for a special review. Nothing was more fit for this purpose than the village of Grazzano Visconti, where time seems to stand still.
The first set is, therefore, aimed to highlight the demonic image suggested by its lines and confirmed by the halo of respect that surrounds this model. Its effectiveness on any terrain was so supernatural that was able to influence everyone, to the point of appearing in an episode of “You’re Under Arrest” as public danger during a typhoon.
If the image of being bad in this episode is underlined by the Yellow color [hard to say whether it was, if the Ferrari one (1992) or Broom (1993)], very ectoplasmic in the darkness of the storm, in our case, the dark green typical of this series summons a dragon. Certainly not one of the seven spheres of Dragonball, but rather an Italic reminder to the stories and legends that haunt our castles, without forgetting that “Dragon” is the nickname of a national rally hero of which we have already discussed, one of the famous knights branded by Lancia. It is also a way of saying, in use a few years ago, referring to someone who drives particularly fast, or which does something particularly well.
And with the dragon we could not miss a beautiful princess, played by our wonderful Elena. This time not the classic parcel that is saved by the prince, but a modern woman with claws sharp enough for facing life in the twenty-first century. So sharp that she can approach the Evo without getting hurt.
To tell us something in first-person about this emotional vehicle, who better than Claudio, its trainer?! So we asked him where this passion was born and the story that led him to fall in love with this object. He answered with a river of words, like a proper maniac!
“It was love at first sight. I remember it as if it were yesterday: I was 17, but I was already thinking of my first car. One day, walking by the mechanic of the town, I saw it for the first time, in flaming red. I was overwhelmed by the passion and naively went to talk to my dad. As a reckless boy, not knowing that it was a challenging car for its performance and characteristics, in fact, he was clear that I could not buy it.
Nevertheless, I haven’t forgot that, so aggressive and powerful. I bought another car and years went by, 4 or 5, then here it is again: I find a dark metallic green one, while passing through an industrial area. I could not resist. I entered the carpentry asking if it was for sale. The response was immediately positive: no time to realize the situation that, taken by the enthusiasm, I had already signed the check.
As in every story, there is a twist: once at home problems started. “Women and engines, joys and sorrows,” and in fact, I kept it for a year, then I had a discussion with my girlfriend and along with other problems, I was forced to sell it.
Other years passed by, but it was always in my mind. Every time that I have found one, I was always asking about it, proposing to the owners for buying it. Then, thanks to a friend that owned a good specimen in mint condition, when he decided to sell it, I was the first in line. Even if the price was important, with some sacrifices I took it home.
It was perfect, completely restored by the previous owner: fully painted and with the engine like new. Now that is mine I would not change it with any other car, strengths and weaknesses included. Ok, it’s difficult, very dangerous if you are not used to its performance, but that’s its character and the reason why we, the fans, love it. I love it so much that I use it carefully just for fear of ruining it or something bad could happen. This car represents a dream came true.”
Francesco Fulchieri
Photo credits: Federico Vandone dell’Acqua
Special thanks go to:
Model: Elena Pradetto
Owner: Claudio Barbieri