c.1986 Ford RS200 Evolution Group B Rally Coupé

The Bond Street Sale|2 December 2017, 14:30 GMT|London, New Bond Street

c.1986 Ford RS200 Evolution Group B Rally Coupé

Coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia/Tickford
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. SFACXXBJ2CGL00105

*Ultra-rare Group B rally car
*More powerful Evolution model
*One of only 24 made
*Used for hill climbs and rally-cross in period
*Engine built by Geoff Page Racing (600bhp+)
*Registered in Norway

Footnotes

Masterminded by its European Motor Sports boss, Stuart Turner, the RS200 was Ford's ambitious attempt at producing a championship winning Group B rally car. Immediately prior to the project's inception Ford's frontline rally car had been the front-engined, rear-wheel driven Escort RS1800, while its intended replacement – the Fiesta-based RS1700T - was another rear-wheel-drive design. However, by this time Audi's Quattro had convincingly demonstrated the efficacy of four-wheel drive in rallying, prompting a drastic rethink at Boreham.

Overseen by Ford Motor Sports Chief Engineer, John Wheeler, the RS200 project commenced in 1983 with production of 200 cars planned in order to meet Group B requirements, hence the name. The design, by Tony Southgate, eventually crystallised as a compact mid-engined coupé powered by a turbo-charged version of the 1.8-litre 16-valve Cosworth BDA engine (the BDT) and equipped with four-wheel drive. This engine produced 250bhp in road-going trim with up to 500bhp available in rally tune. Ford's Italian subsidiary, Carrozzeria Ghia, was entrusted with the styling, producing a purposeful yet elegant design that has stood the test of time like few of its contemporaries. Aston Martin-owned Tickford built the composite bodyshells at Newport Pagnell.

The RS200 was first publicly displayed in 1984 and homologated in February 1986 after the required 200 examples had been built, all apart from the initial six prototypes being completed at Reliant's factory at Shenstone, Staffordshire. Its first World Championship event was that year's Swedish Rally where the car driven by Kalle Grundel finished 3rd overall, a most promising debut. The RS200 went on to achieve a total of 19 wins and 32 podium finishes at international level before the year's end, securing several national championships along the way. Sadly, that would be the limit of its rallying achievements, as FISA pulled the plug on the Group B supercars at the end of a season blighted by a number of fatal accidents, some involving spectators. Seeking to recoup some of the £10 million rumoured to have been spent on the project, Ford stripped down 120 RS200s and rebuilt them as road-legal supercars to be sold at around £50,000 apiece.

The car offered here is one of the later and ultra-rare 'Evolution' models, intended for the 1987 season and equipped with the much more powerful 2,137cc version of the BDT engine. Developed (around a new, thicker-walled cylinder block) by British engineer, Brian Hart, this physically larger engine could only be accommodated by modifying the chassis and firewall. In accordance with the rules, Ford had intended to build an additional 20 Evolution cars, but with Group B cancelled ended up modifying 20 of the first 200 chassis. An additional four Evolution cars were completed after the initial 20. It is worthwhile noting that in 1986 one of these Evolution cars, driven by rally ace Stig Blomqvist, set a Guinness World Record 0-60mph time of 3.07 seconds, which stood for an astonishing 12 years.

Chassis number '00105' was sold by Ford's Competitions Department at Boreham on 30th April 1987 to Mikal Nordstrom (receipt on file) and used by him for hill climbs and rally-cross. Subsequently, the car was sold to the JBJ Group, was returned to road specification and registered in Sweden. It was sold to the current owner on 13th September 2000 and is currently registered in Norway. We are advised by the vendor that the engine has been built by Geoff Page Racing and produces in excess of 600bhp, which is transmitted to the road via a competition-type gearbox. The car comes with a tool kit and a substantial amount of documentation together with the original leather-bound owner's manual and various items of original RS200 literature including original RS200 owner's club magazines.

Should the vehicle remain in the UK, import duties of 5% will be applied to the hammer price.

Saleroom notices

Please note the chassis number should read SFACXXBJ2CGL00215.

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

1 December 2017, 09:00 - 17:00 GMT
2 December 2017, 09:00 - 14:00 GMT

Lot symbols

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £50,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £50,000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

- Cars

c.1986 Ford RS200 Evolution Group B Rally Coupé