Rare Lancia Hyena Zagato Is The Delta HF Integrale's Ugly Twin You've Never Heard Of

One of only 24 Lancia Hyena Zagatos is currently up for grabs, and it's looking to fetch up to $400,000. Why is this so? Apart from its rarity, being the 18th of the units built between 1992 and 1994, this exotic, and strange, piece of machinery is actually chock-full of Lancia's esteemed rally racing DNA.

While it might not look like it, this odd-looking car is based on the Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione, one of the greatest Lancias ever made. It represented Lancia's prominence at the World Rally Championship (WRC), bagging more championships than any other manufacturer has achieved since.

This is why the Hyena Zagato is part of RM Sotheby's World Rally Classics Collection together with another Lancia, the Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II 'Giallo Ginestra.'

The Hyena, which looks like an Alfa Romeo SZ from Wish, was originally conceptualized by Dutch Lancia importer Paul Koot, who thought of producing a lightweight Zagato-bodied Lancia in a two-door coupe style. It comes with an aluminum body integrated with Zagato's signature double-bubble roof.

According to RM Sotheby's, this Hyena Zagato was stored until it was imported to the UK in 2001. The body was originally finished in red over a black interior, which is a stark departure from what it is now. It was then sold to its first owner in April 2002 and remained there for 19 years, registering nearly 18,600 miles.

In 2021, the second owner acquired the car and asked renowned Lancia Delta specialists Italiamotorsport Parussini to restore the vehicle.

The restoration process took almost a year, resulting in having the car finished in Grigio Alloy paint and equipped with turquoise Alcantara seats. The vehicle's engine was also remapped, increasing the output from 250 to 320 hp. It was also given a bespoke exhaust designed to replicate the sound of a Group A Delta Integrale rally car.

While not as powerful as the 700-hp electric Delta remake, that power bump is enough to put the Hyena Zagato on the same ground as the modern, rally-inspired Toyota GR Corolla.

The 1992 Lancia Hyena Zagato has an estimated hammer price of up to $400,000, scheduled to hit the auction block on August 18, 2023. A bit steep - even more expensive than the Delta Integrale Martini 5 Evoluzione that was auctioned before.

We'd rather spend that money on the Alfa Romeo Giulia-based SWB Zagato, thanks.