Lancia Motor Club

For those of you who are wondering why I have started a new thread? It's basically because I'm superstitious! My old thread is on page 12 at the moment & I don't want it to go any further. Stop laughing you boys at the back  :D. Anyway the Delta's getting close to being back on the road & the next jobs on the list are - a) give the engine a thorough service, b) fill the braking system with fluid & bleed, c) refit the bonnet, wheel arch liners, side skirts, door mirrors etc. Hopefully it will be sat outside my garage again looking just like it did in this picture 19 years ago (minus the white ribbons!).

Cheers, Rob

I'm betting it will look even better, Rob  :)
 
Nearly there!
 
Tim

What we need to do is take exactly the same picture when it's done ! :)

Unfortunately Tim the paintwork won't be quite as good as I've used rattle cans on at about 50% of the bodywork, but at least there's a 100% less rust  ;D. With regards to recreating this old photo Steve, I was thinking the same thought!

Hello Rob and thank you for the detailed info. Much appreciated the one on my nephews car is seized (and 21 years old).

Leo

Haven't been able to do much on the Delta recently as I'm still patching up my VW camper! I did have a bit of spare time today as it was raining so I gave the engine bay a good clean & replaced the warning stickers.

My wife & I are on our hols in Lake Garda (Bardolino) at the moment  8). We've seen lots of Ypsilon's, Musa's & a very tidy Fulvia coupe which has reminded me I really have to get stuck into my Delta when I get home!  ;)

I saw this little Delta tucked away at the side of a petrol station as we were leaving Lake Garda  :D.

Got the Delta out of the garage over the weekend & fitted the plastic side skirts. Also had a go at bleeding the braking system which took quite a while & are still a bit spongy so I'll have to have another go. Feeling fired up again about my Delta after having a few months off to work on my camper (which is now finished, for the time being  :D).

Hi Rob,

Getting close now and Autumn Classic at Castle Combe is not far away. Sadly, mine won't be ready but it will be back on my drive this week. Keep up the good work.

Regards

Ian (6610)

Thanks Ian & glad that you'll soon be reunited with your Delta HPE  ;D. It would be great to have mine back on the road for this year's Autumn Classic especially after missing it last year!

Cheers, Rob

Well last Friday was a momentous day in the MacFarlane household as my Delta was finally ready for it's first MOT in 17 years! The journey over to the garage was probably one of the most exciting & nervous drives I've experienced since I passed my test  :-\. It felt strange actually driving it on the open road instead of working on it in my cramped garage. Anyway apart from a few niggles like the speedo not working, a slightly worn rear wheel bearing & wipers that refused to wipe my Delta passed his MOT ;D (cue imaginary round of applause!). It also happened to be the last day before my daughter Molly set off for university & we were having our family round to give her a good send off. Unfortunately when our family arrived in the evening the main topic of conversation was of my Delta being back on the road. Sorry Molly! I later took my father in law for a drive round our town as it was on his bucket list  ;). "So that's it then, it's finished" I hear you say. Well not quite... At sometime in the future I'd like to give it a decent respray & get the seats retrimmed but as my wife pointed out recently "Our bathroom needs sorting out first!"

Cheers, Rob

Yesterday was another big occasion... I actually turned up at our monthly LMC meeting (The Bull in Hinton) in my Delta  :D. The guys were really surprised when they saw it parked outside the pub & congratulated me for getting back on the road. Bless 'em  ;). I thought I'd have a photo taken of those present on this historical day  :D. From the left there's John, Paul, Andy, Steve, Richard, myself & Peter. Unfortunately Ian & Simon couldn't make it but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their words of encouragement over the years!

Cheers, Rob

Yes!
Well done indeed Rob.
I've been following your build whilst doing mine, glad you managed to get it on the road before winter sets in.
Did it feel just a bit strange? Like you'd gone back in time?
And a club monthly meet too, perfect  8)

Thanks Kev, much appreciated  ;). It's been great to follow your thread while restoring mine & I'd have to admit that your integrale needed a lot more commitment than mine. Yes it certainly did feel a bit like stepping back in time, it's only when you see the modern cars on the road around you that you realise you're in 2019!

Went to work in mine Saturday morning and sat in trafic on the towns dual carriageway really made me feel like I was in a tiny car! Everything else was so much taller ;D

Went & picked my son up from Bristol this evening in the Delta as he'd just got back from a weekend in Manchester. It's the first time he's been in the Delta since he was 3 years old  :o.

Brilliant end to the story Rob  8)
Car looks fab

Thanks Kev  ;). I've done about a 100 miles since it's been back on the road & I'm still a bit apprehensive when driving it. My son said I was driving like I'd just passed my test! Have you managed to use yours much since you've finished it?

Rob, you need to put a 1000 miles on it for a proper shake down IMHO.

After the big effort it's understandable to be a bit careful Rob, it'll be great to stretch its legs eventually.

My own car is now well and truly settling in.
After the issues tracing the fault, now done with the crank sensor replacement, it's getting a good thrashing now and again  ;D
Went out for a ride this last Wednesday down some local B roads I know well to see what it could do, twisty roads, straight line speed doesn't interest me, the thing grips like nothing I've had before. The power is addictive, loves to have its neck wrung, so I do!
People might be surprised that it gets used like it does and not pampered but I built it to use it, not oluah and look at. Saying that though, it does need a good wash and polish now!  ;D
Damn cat threw up in the bonnet vents the other day >:( :D

Hi Kev,

Glad to hear that you're getting some good use out of your integrale & putting it through it's paces. Can't believe that a cat was sick on your bonnet, how rude!  :o. I took my Delta out for a spin the other day & I'm starting to feel a bit more relaxed. I was giving the turbo a bit of use, only to free it up after many years on inaction of course  ;).

Cheers, Rob

As it was such a sunny afternoon & my son Callum was having a day off work, we decided to get into our cars & take them out for a drive  ;D. Callum has a 2004 Honda Civic Type R which has about 200 bhp so quite a bit more pokey than my poor little Delta! We went for a spirited drive along the A46 & stopped for a drink in The Egypt Mill in Nailsworth. So glad that my son has inherited the 'petrolhead' gene  ;).

Smiles per hour is the important measure.

Well my Delta's been back on the road for 3 1/2 years now & I'm still chuffed when I'm out & about driving him. Since he's been back on the road I've wanted to give his front end a bit of an upgrade by fitting a Delta HF 4x4 front bumper & integrale twin headlights. The headlights were fairly easy to find but the front bumper was more of a challenge! After nearly 3 years of searching, one finally came up on ebay & was in great condition ;). I bought it from a very nice chap called Dan in Wrexham who used to own a Delta HF turbo ie many years ago. Anyway, I fitted the bumper a couple of weeks ago then had the twin headlights fitted on Tuesday & I'm very happy with the new look  8).

Love the new look Rob, the twin round with differing sized lights look great I reckon, the EVO style ones don't look so good to me so a great choice if swapping from the regular lights. And easily swapplable back too I'd guess if needs be.  8)

Thanks Kev  ;). Yes I wanted to go for a Delta HF 4x4 look at the front so I had to go with the early integrale headlights. I'm keeping the original front bumper & headlights just in case I want to put it back to standard spec.