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NotoriousREV said... Pretty please? 
We-e-e-e-e-e-e-ell, I looked at the front page and this seemed to be by far the most popular thread to view....2680+ despite no replies. So here we go…. Firstly there was the Motor mag test – ( 3 current EVO mag contributors worked on the mag at this time ) 
Then it was pitted against cars that were more than a little out of its price range……..the infamous David and Goliath test 
Then it faced the new Celica GT Four ( Flewy might like this test ) bringing with it the new catalytic converters and making its introduction with the new Sapphire Cosworth, supercar performance for the masses 
And finally, the old Master, the Quattro…… 
Back some 22/23 years ago, one of my car friends owned an Integrale 8v for a short while – he’d progressed through Fiat Strada Abarths and a couple of Delta HF Turbos ( one hotted up ) and got a good deal on a 2 year old Integrale. I only went in it once and just remember the slingshot acceleration out of tight bends and from a standstill and the rorty exhaust note both on acceleration and on the over-run. Back then I had a Manta GTE running about 165bhp ( 2.4 litre, big valve head ) and we had a few runs through Wales and the borders. On the tight twisty stuff and out of slow bends it was hard to stay in touch but when the road opened up more and on fast bends we could have a bit of a run together.
This was on the stretch heading back up to Llyn Ogwen from the coast. 
Any slow traffic and he would be able to catapult past as soon as a gap opened with a slug of turbo torque 
Then the Manta would be handicapped by its long gearing and have to be using all of the revs and lighter weight to catch up as he pulled out an easy 20/30 yards as the old bus got going 
He did seem to have more problems with it than the front wheel drive HF turbos ( I think it had been a hard worked demo in its early days ) but the dealer was good to him ( although he was often waiting for parts even back then.
Other than Harry’s on here I’ve never really known many people taking the plunge with them, although they undoubtedly stir up some interest whenever drivers’ cars of the 80s are mentioned. Seeing the one in EVO this month reminded me how good they look on the road. I hope Flewy gets to do his up and brings it out for a drive before he moves it on!
Updated January 1, 2013 at 5:21 PM
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Roadgoing Group A racecar
***** Dan Webster "Your car actually sounded quite good from up there"
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