1979 Lancia Delta Photos, engines & full specs

Designed as a contender in the compact segment, the Delta became one of the best-known cars ever made by Lancia and remained on the assembly lines until 1993.

The car was a common project between Saab and Lancia. It evolved from a humble vehicle to a rally star that won the World Rally Championship six times back to back. Rumors and information about the car surfaced in the spring of 1979, but the car was only officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of that year. Suddenly, it became one of the main attractions of the event. Moreover, it won the much-coveted "European Car of The Year" award in December.

With a design signed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the wedged-shaped Delta featured a flat front fascia with rectangular headlights. Its simple, plastic grille was split in the middle by a vertical slat that supported the carmaker's badge. On the profile, the car sported flat door panels, which were cheaper to build. Still, the designer created raked-forward C-pillars adorned with a few lines that gave the car a unique stance. It was available just as a five-door hatchback.

The wedged styling was continued inside with a slim dashboard and a rectangular, somewhat oversized instrument cluster that also included the center stack. That was unusual for those times. Its bucket seats at the front were not something special and reminded customers about those placed in the Fiat Ritmo. Lancia placed a flat-folding bench in the back for three, although the center tunnel that crossed the car made life difficult for the one seated in the middle.

Apart from the HF Integrale, the rest of the Delta range was powered by low-powered engines. However, after the car's debut, its success convinced the automaker to offer more potent engines and add an all-wheel drive system for specific versions.