Mr. Bean's Lancia HF Integrale EVO II can now be yours

Many of us have had a great laugh and enjoyed the mishaps of Mr. Bean, the lovable and clumsy character played by English actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, who was often accompanied by his iconic yellow 1977 MINI 1000. If we were asked about Atkinson and his connection to the automotive world, the first thing that comes to mind is probably that little MINI, but the actor’s romance with motoring goes much further.

Apart from his career in show business, Rowan Atkinson has also raced cars, as he has a true passion for the automobile and competition, which has also led him to own treasures as prized as the one we are concerned with today. Indeed, Atkinson’s motor collection also includes the beautiful Lancia HF Integrale EVO II accompanying these lines, which, probably with a certain sadness, he has decided to part with and put up for sale.

Silverstone Auctions will be handling the auction of this example during the upcoming Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh Park, to be held on 25 February, with an estimated sale price of between £65,000 and £75,000. It is no wonder, as the HF Integrale EVO II is a vehicle highly prized by any collector, and this example in particular, which wears the rare Lord Blue paint and is in exceptional condition.

Atkinson has spent a considerable sum keeping his HF Integrale EVO II in perfect condition, which can already be appreciated in the photographs alone, although since acquiring it in May 2021 with 87,000 kilometres he has barely covered 3,000 kilometres in it. Furthermore, it is worth noting that this particular car was originally supplied to Japan, where it remained until 2011, when it was imported to the United Kingdom.

Presented at the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale was and still is known for its great dominance in the World Rally Championship from the late 1980s into the early 1990s. The first HF Integrale models bearing the EVO designation began production in late 1991 and continued into 1992, while the EVO II arrived in 1992 and were the last homologated to compete for the Lancia Racing Team under Martini Racing livery, which is why we find details referring to it, such as the steering wheel decoration. As an update, the 16-valve, 2,000 cc engine received improvements that raised its power output to 215 CV.