AN ICONIC 1980s hatchback that's loved by petrolheads was once bought by Mike Brewer for under £3,000 for an episode of Wheeler Dealers.
But nowadays, the classic motor is worth much, much more.
In 2005 for an episode of the show, Mike picked up a gorgeous Lancia Delta HF Integrale 8v from 1989 for just £2,300.
The 80s hot hatchback is a cult favourite among car fanatics, not least because of its rallying heritage which saw the motor dominate the World Rally Championship in the late 80s and early 90s.
Today, the little Italian motor is hot property and very much sought after by collectors - making them worth serious sums of money.
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In the episode, Mike acquires the motor through eBay and discovers it was originally a non-running unit with a rare factory right-hand drive conversion.
After picking it up for the bargain price, Mike’s mechanic and Wheeler Dealers co-host Edd China had his work cut-out to fix it up.
Among the parts that needed replacing were the front brake discs, front suspension bushes and track rods, battery, alternator, radiator, grille, and wing mirrors.
Inside, the carpets and gearstick were replaced too, while the famous ‘Rosso Monza’ red finish was professionally polished.
Overall, the final cost to Mike was £3,087 - meaning the repairs came to just over £700.
The pair then sold the motor for £3,800 - which meant they made a profit of precisely £713.
But in today’s market, the very rare Lancia Delta Intergrale can be worth around £18,000 - around seven times more than what Mike originally paid for it.
Indeed, one sold on the Collecting Cars auction website for £18,200 in 2023, while Motoring Research has revealed the average value for one today is £23,750.
Some models can sell for much, much more - especially the 16v iteration - with some low-mileage examples selling for up to six-figures.
Fans of this iconic motor might be pleased to know that Lancia have recently revaled plans to release a brand new hot hatchback - their first in decades – but only as an EV.
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And elsewhere, a car dealer has revealed how he will double his money on a grubby second-hand Mini he bought for just £300.
