This Humble Lancia Delta Integrale Is A Beautiful Tool

Mr. Middleton is the founder and acting manager of Middleton Motor Services-an Ullenhall based full service garage established 30 years ago.
“Well, I’ll tell ya’ what. It’s 50 years on the 11th when I started my Austin apprenticeship and I was into motor racing straight away a couple years later.”
Middleton has shared quite the romantic racing history with some of the all-time great drivers and motorsport mechanics. In an emotional tone, Middleton reads off a personal letter from Fangio, thanking him for his help in the inaugural opening of the Fangio Museum.
With a seemingly endless archive of Haynes repair manuals within reach, a collection of still frame memories with the likes of Sterling Moss and Fangio, and a gentleman’s humble charm, it’s clear Middleton is far more than a fan of racing-its been his entire professional life. “It’s total passion,” Middleton describing his lifelong mechanical career, “It’s something that you feel for.”
Middleton’s understated white Delta doesn’t wear the commonly tacked on rear spoiler or Martini graphics. “The Lancia Integrale is a beautiful tool because it’s very unassuming. It hasn’t got a huge amount of horsepower, it’s got four-wheel-drive, which in these type of cars is very reassuring.”
Instead, it’s clean and orderly, maintained with the upmost precision. Maintained in the only mentality this veteran serviceman knows how to, “Everybody can make something look good, but it’s what’s underneath the paints that counts.”
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious

[@TheRadiag]

I'm a simple man, I see an old Lancia I press like

[@stuffmadethen]

I'm a sophisticated man, I consider the Lancia merely as the icing on the cake of this motion picture.

[@TheRadiag]

I consider the Lancia the cake and the video is all the love and deliciousness the chef put into that very cake, its a very good cake.

[@RP-kr2kb]

Etirion i do aswell

[@JeffandJake]

Not many car channels can evoke such emotions as Petrolicious does.

[@joeaustinmedia]

This ^

[@abduljabbaralhayyan7791]

Gotta agree. I feel like reading a memoir full of lessons, just like when you're listening to your dad's life stories.

[@manjunathnavalgund7266]

Jake Bender so true ....I would say none , no other channel comes close Petrolicious is the best .....such artful documentation of these timeless machines

[@theolenz7038]

The great thing about Petrolilicious is that they don't just show beautiful cars but show the story behind them. You get a sense of how it is to live with those cars, not just some lap times and numbers. The voiceover by the owners also give you deep insight into their relationship to the cars and this is why I think it's the best car channel on KZbin I've discovered so far!

[@Diakamawatane]

The love story between man and machine

[@ronniehardaway]

This is the smoothest old man I've ever seen. He must be James Bond's grandad

[@kirbyswarp]

I was about to say, he is my definition of an Englishman.

[@MrMysocks]

TheRondoExperiment hea in my barber shop now mate cool as a cucumber miss money penny

[@paullucci]

Every one of your videos convinces me I need the featured car!

[@ahu747]

This episode is magical. I'm at the verge of tears.

[@MrDanty64]

Right there with you because a) you can only know that a letter dated from 86 is pre-email and just intuitively I was guessing from someone who isn't alive and b) seeing those B/W photos in the books he had out reminded me of books I just used to love when I was 5-6-7-8 years old, when I was into 'car racing' (!) I grew up in the East Bay Area and while I was a kid met a man who had a couple MGBs and had a bunch of books like that. I was all into watching Races on Saturday afternoons and just loved that whole culture--just the films of it...anyhow. All of that came up when I was seeing him and what he had to say.

[@hanyoukimura]

Big budget films wish they could be as evocative as this videos you do. Beautifully shot, perfect score, and what a wonderful person to interview.

[@itxtztz]

hanyoukimura - Thank you!

[@tonygray7804]

Wow. I actually know this guy. He is just as wonderful to spend time with as you think...

[@clairebannister4749]

Great man, great film. Thanks

[@biker451]

Growing up Dad owned a gas station/repair garage. He too was soft spoken and very much like Mr. Middleton so this episode almost brought me to tears. Once again Petrolicious brings us an evocative story that in a few minutes shows us more than much, much longer and noisy videos every could. Thank you.

[@bobnieuwenhuis3103]

What a beautifull, humble and wise man. Part of a generation that willbe missed in the future. Automotive history talking to you.Listen, ... now we still can.

[@aaronjohnmaughan]

Mr. Middleton, I thank you for giving us some of your time. It was a pleasure.

[@arisgod2749]

Simple man with unimaginable wealth of knowledge.

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

What a charming gentleman.

[@BSJBill]

Petrolicious never disappoints. Having lived in England in the 70's I had the pleasure of driving many "classic" now, cars. Jags, Rovers, TVR's, once a Renault Alpine. Mr. Middleton is a true English gentleman. The point of this story isn't the car, but him and his passion and legacy. Thank you.

[@ChaosphereIX]

THIS is a performance car that needs to be driven. Got to drive one once, it was fantastic.

[@johnjoseph911]

If Mr Middleton liked it you know it’s a keeper. Excellent work ….

[@US-px7wc]

Fangio the legend, he talks very fondly of him. Great Video!!!

[@danishakkiwat6388]

"Anybody can make something look beautiful. It's under the paint that counts." 💗💗

[@willg94450]

This is the best video to date Petrolicious team. What a simple but powerful depiction of this mans history and passion. Thank you!

[@lisadargova7559]

Martin Middleton and his brother Ben are just fab! I work as a carer and they have gone over and way beyond the call of duty to keep me on the road. Many, many thanks

[@mikegsg9r]

I was on the fence about buying my first old project car and kept watching this at the time. Finally pushed me to do it and I couldn't be happier. This man is awesome!

[@Tulipwoodracer]

In days of bigger, better and faster this combination of car man and film is much appreciated. Please go on like this.

[@JackalTash]

What an amazing man Mr. Middleton is: The prodigious knowledge, history and talent....

[@RP-kr2kb]

All the different passionate people with their wonderful cars on this channel some worth millions and some pebble beach worthy and i still trully think this, this video is the best petrolicious video ever made.

[@matty205gti]

The best one in ages! A lovely Lancia, AND, the music isn't trying to take over...

[@rjs15570]

the essence of what makes motor sport great and why this episode graciously captures it

[@Silvermanav]

"Everybody can make something look, it's what's underneath the paint that counts" Word to live by.

[@oliverflower258]

One of the best yet. What a lovely bloke.

[@nunomc2815]

Petrolicious "stands from the crowd", once again. Congrats 👍😊

[@JoaquinMRosa]

This is my favorite film yet!! Love the focus on the story/storyteller over the car itself!! The focus on the emotional and personal is beautiful!!

[@MrDanty64]

Funny thing is is that this is a type of film where you wouldn't mind it going longer than it does!

[@Greenaresy]

I could listen to this man's stories all day.

[@alexandermoore2982]

New favorite Petrolicious episode. Goosebumps running up and down the whole time. Mr. Middleton is the kind of man who I aspire to become someday, and the 'Grale is high on my bucket list of cars to own.

[@oldcarproblems3332]

Who in their right-mind gives a petrolicious video a thumbs-down?

[@LUNCHMONEY4numbers]

FlyingLap "What's this shit? Who's this old fuck talking!? I wanna see cars going vroom vroom! Dislike! Hey, Haggard Garage just uploaded a video! Fuck yeah!" - Those kind of people.

[@mitchellhume9028]

/Drive

[@TehRuiAlv3z]

I watch and like both channels. People just suck at watching what they like and think they're entitled to something so they go and ruin things for those who actually enjoy them...

[@barterfiend1431]

FlyingLap....people must watch upside down.....

[@fetusofetuso2122]

maybe becasue of "humble"? Or because for the first 3 minutes of 7 you don't even see the car? Or because for the whole 8 minutes you don't hear the engine?

[@lensandford]

Superb piece of film. I can confirm that being a passenger of Martin's is initially a sphincter testing experience which quickly settles into a smile inducing feeling of confidence and appreciation.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

I have always loved these cars. Owning a car like this, maintaining it, speaks volumes about a persons character. It's one thing to own a modern hyper performance car with a warranty but if you also have this in the garage... it just takes you to another level. The thinking mans enthusiast. Money can buy you a lot of things but it can't buy you great taste in unassuming cars from the past. Love it LOVE IT !

[@pkuudsk9927]

Wonderful story, over the top film work,should be submitted for a shorts doc award.

[@JohnSmith-ud9ex]

Martin, if you do read these comments then I'm sure many of us would like to thank you for your "unseen" contributions over the years. Petrolicious, once again you bring to us a true gem of a story beautifully told. Thank you.

[@DrewWilliams1607]

What a lovely man

[@blainekelley816]

fabulous story ... I know some folks want to see more of the car, but I would prefer listening to Mr. Middleton ... all day, I would prefer that as he drives me around in that lovely Lancia!

[@Mantenner]

On no other channel do I tear up watching every video from the sheer emotion, beautiful.

[@roselh1]

Thanks to Mr. Middleton and Petrolicious! These videos make my week.

[@MikeEdge-mikeedge7]

Brilliant video, extremely gentlemanly and experienced Martin Middleton just the sort of chap every budding motor engineer should listen to and respect, a great ambassador for our trade. Also well done Petrlicious, superb video.

[@Bugumir]

"Everyone can make something look good. It's what's underneath the paint that counts." - words to live by.

[@Prmni]

He seems like the most interesting person to talk with or just listen and the Delta looks absolutely stunning :)

[@alvarofue]

One of the most beautiful videos of Petrolicious... the man in this case takes a well deserved leading rol.

[@MathiassS73]

Well, thank you for your service, Mr Middleton.

[@stephaniedejesus5704]

He seems like a very sweet man. :'-) I love listening to people talk about their cars when they are in love with them.

[@thebigbowler]

Watched this countless times. Best video you've ever done.

[@paulbeatty9676]

The other videos may have fancier and decidedly more beautiful cars and stylishly dressed owners, but this one for me, is the best. ♥

[@tobysettle8595]

As always, a beautiful film from Petrolicious!! Thanks so much for being!!

[@simonweston33]

I love these petrolicious videos. They are the perfect length, beautifully shot, interesting, diverse and so well thought out. Bravo to the people who make them.

[@AdityaGaddam]

Man that side profile at 6:15 ... why can't we have these today :(

[@coolcarsmeanmotorcycles8948]

Awesome video! Mr. Middleton seems like great man and his integrale looks great!

[@tony66au]

Thank you, for bringing back memories of a drive I once had in an Integrale. A beautiful tool indeed

[@yashilghazi5948]

It's amazing how emotional petrolicious videos are. Keep up the good work guys!

[@GuileQwerty]

Always loved this car, now even more so as presented here with such a man and in such a way.

[@dgarage9]

Amazing. This video is a 10 out of 10 for sure.

[@edge23310]

I love this channel so much... The cinematography, the lighting, the melancholy music... the sincere interviews without the usual gobshite shouty presenters you usually see on car channels. Petrolicious deserves like 10m subs 😘

[@dennisbrown1282]

Extraordinary mechanic, driver and great guy.

[@0122342342345]

What a great work! Amazing video. Can touch not just the heart but also the mind. Thank you !

[@roifernandez2316]

majestic, all i can say. One of the best video of petrolicious.

[@GIGABACHI]

ALWAYS DELIVERING the Goods. 👏👍😎 Keep up the good work.

[@mikegsg9r]

Out of all the pet lancia vids this is the best just cuz I love listening to this dude, I want him to have a documentary or something

[@FluideTotallyGlacial]

You can see the attention given to the owner and his story when at the end of the video it's no more "My name is Martin Middleton and I drive a Lancia Delta Integrale" but "My name is Martin Middleton and ever since [...] I have looked after people's road cars and racing cars for all those years" Fantastic video.

[@icebreakertech]

What a wonderful story and a great person. Thank you.

[@Zach-sg3ro]

Another splendid video! So much passion and emotions evokes in these films. Keep up the good work Petrolicious! Mabuhay from Manila, Philippines! 👋

[@18echosf]

This is one of the very best videos you've produced. The feeling it brings out about someone's love of cars and motoring is very evident. Thanks, once again. Petrolocious is the finest auto channel on the Internet and continues to produce the best content.........hands down!

[@stevedwong1346]

Beautifully filmed features, Great Automobiles

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Staggeringly beautiful. Thank you.

[@DavidKAnderson]

Such grace and wisdom. Pretty damn fine car, too...

[@mzondi1970]

been a sub since the first video. still have not been disappointed

[@kunalpb]

What a beautiful film...the reason I watch petrolicious is this.

[@thebard4]

Brilliant story and film. Thanks!

[@cemsarioglu5947]

One of the coolest old men out there. Beautiful video.

[@ape_status]

beautiful film and beautiful story. great work.

[@bmetzker90]

This one its about this great man! One more time, excelent video! Greetings from Brazil!

[@ShinzukuTomoke]

I don't understand how these videos have so little likes. I'm sharing this!

[@PorscheDiddy]

What a guy! Respect!

[@vittret7325]

I wish I still had my 1989 Lancia Delta Integrale

[@FallingPicturesProductions]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[@mrdjsubz]

Excellent film. Liked listening to the guy and as always, a beautiful film.

[@barrywhittaker9939]

Stunning car and rally legend. Love mine.

[@RGHTBrainDesignDrive]

Excellent filming, truly, some of the best ANYWHERE. I just didn't get pulled along to the storyline as usual.

[@philippeschyns8254]

Nothing compares to Petrolicious. Many congratulations!

[@gmain1977]

Great video , love these videos, the editing is spot on

[@Nagaroon88]

beautiful camera, humble guy, stunning car!

[@MuadDib1402]

What a gent.

[@tmh44]

Awesome guy, great stories...this was a great one.

[@BlueHopi144]

One of the best designed cars Ever !!!!

[@fastmmw]

This was inspiring. Thank you.

[@ben3989]

For some reason I really liked his chair. It sorta matched the car in a way.

[@ja553]

humble and cool gentleman.

[@miriamslife5573]

hes not humble

[@davidefenara354]

I've got white one like yours, I love my car. It's amazing to drive or simple to see...

[@johnweichselberger314]

Who the F disliked this?? Damnit, that was perfect. Not the car, but how it was shot and the interview...pure" Petroliciousness"

[@herwigv]

Loving this - great man and car - respect

[@richardnaffa5953]

enjoyed it, like usual thanks.

[@timmietz]

Beautifully shot. Very effectively edited. Bravo!

[@oprikawize]

excellent comrade, I would share my beer with you. touching narrative, I love it.

[@lovemetal7092]

great as always

[@Kamavagadoo]

Wonderful film