Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. The RS200 was born in the era of 'Group B' rallying, undeniably the most extreme period in rally history with all competing manufacturers turning every dial up to 11. The power was immense, the courses dangerous and no matter how high the level of a driver's skill, it was always outmatched by the sheer bravery required to pilot these machines at full chat. Whilst Ford’s competitors developed their rally cars from suitable models in their road car range, Lancia with their S4 Integrale, Audi with the S1 Quattro and Peugeot with their T16 205, Ford took a more extreme route, building a competitive rally car and then using it as the basis for a well-engineered, road-legal version, purely to tick the homologation boxes.
Produced by Ford Motorsport in Boreham from 1984-1986, the plastic-fiberglass composite body was designed by Filippo Sapino of Ghia Design Studio and enclosed a mid-mounted engine, four-wheel drive and a front-mounted gearbox for ideal 50/ 50 weight distribution. The chassis was designed by Formula 1 designer, Tony Southgate, in conjunction with Formula 1 engineer, John Wheeler, so the car had real potential for greatness.
Motivation was provided by an 1, 803cc Ford-Cosworth BDT engine fitted with a Garett T03/ 04 turbocharger which produced 250bhp in standard road-going trim although, as production progressed, more power became available. At the time, 'Group B' regulations required manufacturers to assemble 200 road-going versions of their race-bred competition cars, however with the passing of time, it's become clear that Ford did not manage to sell 200, with Justin Smith, the Ford RS200 authority, believing as few as 147 were actually sold.
Presented here is certainly one of the best examples of the Ford RS200 we have offered for sale and with an exceptionally low mileage of 1, 798. It was sold new on 14th April 1989 by Charles King Motors, the Ford Main Dealer in Bedford, and apparently was the 100th car finished, bearing the chassis no. SFACXXBJ2CGL00100. It's supplied with Ford Motorsport decals and a leather interior which makes it a rare specification. There have been four owners prior to our vendor with all the timeline details in the history file and it's evident from the car's overall immaculate condition that they took their ownership seriously. Early in its life, it was returned to Tickford for a service and more recently, in December 2022 but only a few miles ago, it was treated to fresh fluids and new hoses by specialists, Viking Motorsport. It still sports its original Pirelli P6000 tyres and spare and comes complete with its original complete pristine toolkit and its Ford Boreham leather-bound manual.
Collector quality with a lovely original patina and exceptionally low mileage, this impressive 'Group B' rally car, from the rallying colossus that was Ford in the 1980s, is almost certainly unrepeatable.
