British comic and automobile fanatic Rowan Atkinson, well-known for taking part in the character Mr. Bean, is parting with a legendary rally homologation particular. The 1993 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo II might be auctioned off by Silverstone Auctions on Feb. 25.

The primary-generation Lancia Delta had a protracted life as each a humble economic system automobile and a rally particular. First proven on the 1979 Frankfurt auto present, the Delta went on to compete within the World Rally Championship all through the Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, spanning the memorable Group B and following Group A eras.

Producers have been required to promote road-going variations of their rally vehicles, so Lancia additionally launched a collection of Delta efficiency fashions throughout this era for homologation functions, beginning with the Delta HF and Integrale within the Eighties. It adopted these up with the Evo I in 1991, and at last the Evo II in 1993.

For the Evo II, Lancia upped output from its 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine to 215 hp, which is distributed to all 4 wheels via a 5-speed handbook transmission. This may be the ultimate evolution of the unique Delta; Lancia unveiled a second-generation mannequin the identical 12 months that marked a shift away from efficiency. There was even speak of bringing a later Delta mannequin to the U.S. as a Chrysler after the Fiat-Chrysler merger.

The automobile up for public sale was initially bought in Japan, and was then imported to the U.Ok. in 2011. Atkinson bought it in Might 2021 with an indicated 54,059 miles. Whereas he has made good use of the Lancia, complete mileage stays beneath 56,000 miles, the public sale itemizing says. The vendor expects a hammer value of 65,000 to 75,000 British kilos (roughly $78,000 to $90,000).

Atkinson has owned fairly just a few fascinating vehicles through the years, together with a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500E that went to public sale in 2019. He additionally purchased a McLaren F1 new from the manufacturing unit in 1997, placing it up on the market in 2015 after two crashes.