The names Lancia and Martini are so closely intertwined that it’s as if they were born to be together.
To celebrate that history a new museum has opened in Sassari, close to Rally Italy Sardinia’s powerstage. And two-time World Rally Champion Miki Biasion has given DirtFish a tour.
The importance of the connection between Lancia and Martini is not lost on the man who won 16 rallies while wearing their colors.
“When I joined the Martini Racing team in 1986, it was a goal, a dream come true in my life,” he told DirtFish. “To have an Italian brand, Italian tires, Italian Sparco overalls and everything, thinking now it was unbelievable.”
“It was a fantastic moment of my career because, for a go-kart driver, the dream is to drive a Ferrari in Italy. For a rally driver, the dream was to drive a Lancia.”
The museum features a range of exhibits with a particular focus on the Delta; the car which delivered six manufacturers’ titles for the Italian manufacturer, along with both of Biasion’s drivers’ crowns.
Marco Giordo is one of Italy’s leading rally journalists but his roots are Sardinian – meaning he knows more about this incredible collection than most.
“It’s a private collection. Everything is from the owner Roberto Testoni,” explains Giordo.
“This gentleman was a driver in the Autobianchi Trophy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He never drove a Lancia, so year after year he was thinking of creating something like this.”
While not open to the general public, the museum has hosted several events, including dinners for the historic Rally Costa Smeralda, as well as book and film presentations. It can be booked for other functions too for anyone looking to put on a special rally event.
Once inside, visitors can pore over a collection of vehicles that includes multiple Group A Deltas, a Group B Delta S4 and even a period-correct Fiat service van.
The walls are covered in images depicting some of the great Lancia Martini cars, while models, books and well-worn race suits cover almost every available spot. It truly is Lancia heaven.
