The Fabulous Ford RS200

 

The new group B rally category lead to the birth of the RS200. This was a section of rallying that meant any manufacturer could produce a purpose built rally car on the condition that they made 200 road legal versions for sale to the public (they were sold to the public at 50 quid short of £50,000).  Your average jo public ( anyone that had a decent stash of money that is) could buy the car from a dealer and specify what they liked. Anything from a luxury pack to rally pack. Further modifications could go as far as the budget would allow. 

 

This rally series was quite a departure as rally cars up to then were just modified road cars. The general formula followed by most manufacturers was lightweight (the use of composites, carbon fibre, Kevlar and aluminium monocoques etc), strength and above all large amounts of power.  Unfortunately this category of rallying was shortlived due to several accidents and a drivers death (Henri Toivonen the Lancia works driver in 1986).

 

The standard road version produced about 230bhp with the all out competition cars pushing out as much as 600bhp.  This was made possible thanks to the 2.1litre (road cars had 1.8 versions)16 valve twin cam turbocharged engine that was a development of an engine destined for an abandoned Escort project car.  The powerplant is mounted in a mid engined layout accessed via the lifting rear section of the car.  The rest of the specification is impressive including twin coil over shocks at each corner as well as numerous other state of the art equipment.  Homologation regulations were met early in 1985. After success in group B rallying the car seemed cut off before it’s prime when the series was cancelled. It still went on to be very successful in rallycross and ice racing (as well as other lower profile motorsport events). 

 

The RS200 has often been considered an ugly car or at best an acquired taste. I for some reason like it and assisted by a lottery win would gladly buy one if there was an owner out there willing to give it up. They have been for sale rarely and when they come up are offered for over £100,000 and due to their rarity will probably get it. The car pictured is driven by the current Ford rally team boss Malcolm Wilson who was involved in some of the early testing of the RS200. He is himself an accomplished rally driver