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Lancia Delta HF Turbo

Rallying changed to Group A specification rules from 1987, which meant manufacturers had to produce at least 5,000 identical four seated production car variants. Again Lancia, were at the forefront with the Delta HF Turbo.

In the first of four different casting, Vitesse were to produce the Delta HF Turbo during 1988. For the first time, models now came fully decaled, with only windscreen wipers and wing mirrors to be added by the purchaser. Again sponsored by Martini, 360.1 appeared as used to win the 1987 Monte Carlo Rally in the hands of Juha Kankkunen. 360.2 was modeled on the car that won the 1988 Monte Carlo Rally. Semi works team Jolly Club, ran Alex Fiorio in a "Totip" sponsored car, on the 1988 Monte Carlo Rally, this appeared as 361. There was also three road car versions produced, 362.1 in red, 362.2 in metallic grey, and 362.3 in metallic black. As per usual, a number of limited editions appeared in the SM series. These were as follows:

Model	Sponsor	Competition No. / Rally
SM 47	Bastos	4 / Rallye Garrigues 1987
SM 48	Concessionari Lancia	20 / Rallye Piancavallo 1987
SM 49	Esso	4 / Rallye Sanremo 1987
SM 50	Campari	12 / Rally Monte Carlo 1988
SM 51	Camel	5 / Rallye Costa Brava 1988
SM 52	SG Gigante	18 / Rallye Portugal 1988

Lancia Delta HF Integrale
In 1988 Lancia homologated an improved version of the Delta, the HF Integrale, from the outside, this meant flared wheel arches and a different bonnet profile, the Martini stripes also changed in their configuration.

The second casting from Vitesse also incorporated these changes, the wing mirrors now became casted versions instead of the previous stick on yourself plastic versions.
The first model of the new version to be released was 363, the "Martini" works car used by Miki Biasion to win the Rally of Portugal. 364 then followed, the"Totip" version used by Alex Fiorio on the 1989 Monte Carlo Rally. 365 followed, a metallic blue road car, in typical Vitesse fashion. Eventually, the new rally car filtered down to the semi works and private teams. These again were produced in the SM series:

Model	Sponsor	Competition No. / Rally
SM 54	Camel-Clarion	4 / Swedish Rally 1988
SM 53	Marlboro	3 / Swedish Rally 1988
SM 55	Tosti	57 / Rally Limone Piemonte 1988
SM 56	Charms	13 / San Remo Rally 1988
SM 57	Rai Due	11 / Monte Carlo Rally 1989
SM 58	Lancia France	2 / Rally Garigues 1989
SM 59	Lancia Germany	5 / San Remo Rally 1989

A Code 2 limited edition was produced as the "Official Model of the 1989 LOMBARD RAC RALLY", produced by Eastwood Promotional Marketing, Nottingham. This was a slightly redecaled version of number 363 complete with, certificate, RAC Rally car sticker, and a special box. The model was of the the 1988 Lombard RAC Rally winning car of Marku Alen. SM54 "Camel -Clarion" came in a special box, in the sponsors colours, of yellow and blue. As did, 363, which was available in the either the standard box or as a promotional version in a "Martini Racing" coloured box.

Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16 valve
Lancia were still winning World Championships with the Delta, but on the 1989 Sanremo Rally their latest weapon, the HF Integrale 16v was unleashed in the hands of Miki Biasion and a second car for Didier Auriol. For the debut event the usual white base colour changed to a "Martini" red and yet another different configuration of Martini stripes. The bonnet line became even higher to fit the more powerful engine underneath. As to be expected the car won first time out.
As to be expected, Vitesse produced a third casting incorporating the higher bonnet line. 366 was faithfully reproduced as the "Martini" red car that won the 1989 Sanremo Rally. 367 was produced as a metallic silver road car. The SM series only produced three models, then the numbering system for the limited edition series changed, something it would do quite often in future years. The limited edition versions were:

Model	Sponsor	Competition No. / Rally
SM 60a	Martini	1 / Monte Carlo Rally 1990
SM 60b	Martini	7 / Monte Carlo Rally 1990
SM 63	Fina	10 / Monte Carlo Rally 1990
368.3	Martini	9 / Monte Carlo Rally 1991

368.3 never appeared in any catalogue or listing. It was a special edition, in a standard box, but with a silver insert, proclaiming "J.Kankkunen, 1991 World Champion, limited & numbered edition of 2500 pieces." The edition number was actually stamped on the underneath of the sumpguard.This version sold out very quickly and is much sort after. A promotional version for "Altuglass", metallic light blue in colour, as used in French Rally Cross, in a special box , was photographed in the 1991 catalogue, and can occasionally be found at Collectors Fairs commanding upto Ł50.

Lancia Delta Evolution IV / Super Delta
The fourth and final version of the Delta appeared on the 1992 Monte Carlo Rally, this time it was a Delta on steroids. The bonnet bulge had become even larger, the front and rear wheel arches even wider, and a roof mounted spoiler was added. The Martini stripes would change their configuration yet again, which would be their final year on the works team Lancia's. Officially the factory team withdrew at the end of the season, the 1993 cars would be run by the Jolly Club team, in the colours of oil company "Repsol" and Italian National Lottery "Totip".

As usual, all these changes were incorporated in Vitesse's fourth casting of the Delta, some models had black inserts on the front wheels, which were brake cooling discs. 811 was the first to be produced, the "Martini" car used by Didier Auriol on the 1992 Monte Carlo Rally, although the decals incorrectly showed A.Auriol. 812 was the "Alllan Carante" version used by Cesar Baroni on the Rallye D'Antibes. 369 was the red road car version.
Another number change was on the cards for the Permanent Range of models. The first of these being, 030b the "Repsol" sponsored car used by Carlos Sainz on the 1993 Monte Carlo Rally. 030c was another car from the same event, the"Canonica" sponsored version of Christophe Spilotis.
The SM Limited Edition series also changed its number system again, now prefixed with an L, and limited to 5000 models worldwide. The following were produced:

Model	Sponsor	Competition No. / Rally
L0 16	Totip	5 / Monte Carlo Rally 1993
L0 31	Esso	6 / Piancavallo Rally 1993
L0 45	Vitesse	13 / 1000 Lakes Rally 1993
T/KIT	Replay Jeans	19 / Monte Carlo Rally
T/KIT	Bianco	102 / Monte Carlo Rally 1997
T/KIT	Philbert	35 / Monte Carlo Rally 1996

The actual car used by Tommi Makinen on the 1993 1000 Lakes Rally and modeled as L045 was part sponsored by the Vitesse Company to celebrate their 10th Anniversary . A large logo stating "Vitesse Model Cars - 10th Anniversary 1993" was positioned on the roof of the actual rally car. A further Promotional model has been recently located, that of, "Replay Jeans" as used on the 1996 Monte Carlo

Lancia 037

One of the companies at the forefront of producing accurate rally car models in diecast over the last fifteen years has been the Vitesse Group of Portugal. They are at present producing superb replicas in 1/43 scale diecast , fully built up of Colin McRae's Ford Focus WRC and Carlos Sainz's Toyota Corolla WRC for less than Ł20. Originally back in 1984 they started out producing the Lancia 037 Rallye, and followed with every variation of the Delta from HF Turbo through to the Evo. The following article charts the various Lancia models produced since 1984 to present date.

Lancia 037 Rallye Evolution

The 037 Rallye was the first true purpose built Group B rally car, by Lancia, a rear wheel drive, supercharged, lightweight, 310BHP beast that succeeded Lancia's Stratos. A pair where debuted on the 1982 "Tour de Corse", in the hands of Attilio Bettega and Marku Allen. The car would be Lancia's rally weapon, first in Evolution 1 form, followed later in 1984 by the Evolution 2, against the likes of Audi and Opel.
Vitesse's first casting of the 037 appeared in 1984. They were all sold as a basic model, decals were included to be added by the purchaser, as were door mirrors, windscreen wipers, a lamp pod, spotlamps and aerial. Catalogue number 100 "Martini Racing" / 1982 Tour de Corse was the first model, two versions could be produced from the enclosed decal sheet, competition numbers 1 and 6 from that debut event. A second model also appeared, 100B, " Panasonic" / San Marino Rally, the winner of that event driven by Antonio Tognana. This model only ever appeared in the first ever Vitesse catalogue, and never in subsequent issues, and is probably the rarest of all 037's These were the only two competition cars to appear in the first casting. There were also two roadcar versions, 100A, was available in either red or silver.

The second E1 casting had an improved front end and a plastic insert for the back lights. 101 "Totip" / 1983 Rally Costa Esmeralda as driven by Miki Biasion appeared, followed by 102 "Martini Racing" which with the available decals produced two cars from either the 1993 Monte Carlo or Rallye of Portugal. A number of limited edition models appeared, numbered in the SM series, short for Super Models. The first version, SM01, was a silver plated model, produced in a dark blue snap top jewelry type box, complete with certification. The model was also stamped on the base with its limited edition number. A further six 037's in E1 version were produced in the SM series. They were as follows:

Model	Sponsor	Competition No. / Rally
SM 02	Wurth	24 / Targa Fiorio : 1 / Rally Deutchland
SM 03	R6	12 / San Remo
SM 04	Pioneer	1 / Rallye Baulle
SM 05	Martini	7 / Ivory Coast Rally
SM 07	Eminence	1 / Tour de Corse
SM 16	Gais	19 / Rally Portugal

SM02 was also available in a "Wurth" promotional box. SM05 with additional roof mounted spare wheel, "roo" bars, and upper bonnet mounted spotlamps. A number of transkits were produced by Italian companies La Miniminiera and ANC, this enabled countless other liveries to be produced.
In 1993, Vitesse produced a third E1 casting which was much improved on the original two versions. The original 100 was re-released as a fully finished 034a / 034b. . The original E1 model is still available at Model Collector Fairs for upto Ł20 undecaled, and sometimes upto Ł35 decaled.

Lancia 037 Rallye Evolution 2
The Evolution 1 was replaced by the more powerful Evolution 2 on the 1984 Monte Carlo Rally, it was produced as a stopgap while the Delta S4 was being developed, the main difference externally was the cut away rear bodywork. The event was dominated by the Audi Quattro's, the Lancia's finished nearly half an hour down in the bottom half of the top ten.
Vitesse modified the second casting, cutting away some of the rear bodywork, and adding a large pair of rear mudflaps and external engine detail. Their first model was 103 "Martini Racing" which with the available decals allowed three variants from the Monte Carlo Rally and one from the Rally of Portugal. Also, 104 "Totip" which allowed the Jolly Club run, Totip (the Italian National Lottery ) sponsored car of former European Champion "Miki" Biasion to be produced in either Monte Carlo or Portuguese versions.
As with the Evolution 1 versions, there were seven more limited editions in the SM series. These were as follows:

Model	Sponsor	Competition No. / Rally
SM 11	Olio Fiat	1 / Rallye Laterna
SM 12	West	2 / Rallye Costa Brava
SM 21	Bastos	5 / Rallye Garrigues
SM 27	Rothmans	4 / Rallye Costa Brava
SM 33	Starter	3 / Mille Miglia
SM 34	Esso	Targa Florio / Rallye Elba / Piancavallo
SM 37	Duriforte-Vitesse	18 / Rally Portugal

The SM series in E2 guise are more sort after than the earlier E1 version, undecaled versions command upto Ł35, decaled versions of the later cars, especially SM33,34,35 upto Ł50. The 037 was pensioned off by Lancia during 1985, with the exception of an outing on the rough "East African Safari Rally" in 1986, their new car, the Delta S4, was debuted and won its first event, the 1985 Lombard RAC Rally. This 450 bhp monster was to be used during the 1986 only, as Group B rally cars were banned for 1987, as a result of the deaths of Henri Torvonen and his navigator Sergio Cresto in such a car, and also a number of spectator related fatalities. There were sketches of a proposed model of the S4 in the 1986 Vitesse catalogue, but this never appeared.