Special One-off Zagato Styled Lancia Hyena Is a Rare Marvel

By Patrick Morgan - February 13, 2020

You’d probably never guess that this Lancia Hyena is a Delta HF in disguise. Only a handful of these Zagato Hyena cars were ever built.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Lancia Hyena, you’re not alone. The Hyena was a project that barely got off the ground, as it never received the official blessing by parent company FIAT. But what was it? It was a concept thought up by Paul V.J. Koot. Koot was an Italian car and classic car enthusiast and wanted to get Zagato and Lancia to work on a coupe version of the infamous Delta HF rally hatchback. The creation would be dubbed the “Hyena.”

Zagato’s design for the Hyena was a dramatic departure from the boxy and angular Delta HF. Familiar Zagato touches such as a double-bubble roof are present, and in some ways, it resembles the Alfa Romeo SZ in some regards as well. Importantly, it kept the Delta HF Integrale chassis, and drivetrain. A coupe body styled by Zagato on an agile chassis seemed like a perfect match. FIAT – parent company to Lancia – didn’t approve the idea, and would not supply Zagato with the needed cars.

Enthusiastic people will always find a way around obstacles. Koot, without the assistance of Lancia or FIAT bought his own HF Integrale cars for Zagato to modify. Initially, 75 cars were planned, but the lack of assistance pared that run down to just 24. Coming across them now is extremely rare.

Zagato used aluminum in their construction of the Hyena. Because of this, performance was actually better than the standard HF Integrale. A revised engine tune also eked out more power. Speed to 60 miles per hour was just 5.4 seconds. However, this handsome little coupe suffered just one drawback. Price. At 140,000 Swiss Francs, it cost nearly the same as a Porsche 911.

Now several decades later, the opportunity to own one has come up again. This 9th Hyena produced is based on an Integrale Evolution II. It’s ready to hit the road with its new owner too, with recent service and lifelong care. If your heart is already set on buying a Hyena, Silverstone Auctions is hosting its Race Retro auction Febuary 22 and 23 in England’s Stoneleigh Park.