Wednesday 11th May 2011

Spotted: Not One, But Two RS200s ...In Japan

Is this the most desirable Ford since the GT40?

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We'll never know if Ford's Group B rally car would have been able to do anything about the Peugeot 205 T16's dominance of rallying in the mid-eighties. Just as they were getting into the swing of things, a couple of tragic high-profile accidents meant that time was promptly called on the 450+bhp World Rally Championship lunacy and the RS200 project was dropped by Ford in favour of the Sierra RS Cosworth.

The Group B cars found refuge in events like the European Rallycross series (among others), where they ran with more like 600bhp, and usually hit 60 mph in around two seconds. Have a look at this video for a reminder - it's not in English and the quality is a bit iffy but it's still epic stuff! Not surprisingly, quite a few cars were destroyed...

As a result, the remaining road-going 'homologation' RS200s which weren't adapted for competition represent one of the most sought-after fast Fords ever. The one you see here is, we think (but can't confirm), Ford RS200 number 116, which was ordered new by a Japanese collector and has covered just 5900 miles since. Although 200 cars were originally built it's contended by some that a number of 'bitsa' cars were also built from the remainder of the spare parts set aside for competition teams.

The price for this car is a shade under £110,000 - which is a lot, but compared with the cost of GT40s nowadays it might be considered decent value...

The good news is that if you think 110k is a bit steep, there is another RS200 with slightly higher mileage for just over £100,000. Shame it's in Japan, too. Still, there can't be many cooler cars to turn up at a track day with...but would you dare take it out and chuck it around for an afternoon?

 

 

 

[jimbo2728]

Are they Pilot Sport Cups on that a la CSL? Bet it is an absolute weapon to drive! :-0

[chazwozza]

Awesomely cool car

[666 SVT]

There's one for sale in the garage just up the road from me with 1100
miles on it.
Very Nice.

http://www.ronhodgson.co.uk/ford--rs200-1519861

[fathomfive]

If only I'd won last nights Euromillions.

[lamby]

Absolutley awesome.... Although this would not excite me as much as when i was driving down the M6 and Passed...again Not 1 but 2 Original (well the number plates suggested so) LANCIA STRATOS' (Strati?!?) I then slowed down... let them past... overtook... let them past... and one more pass

All the cars from this era of rallying are truly epic.... Always wanted a 6R4... bonkers! All hail Group B

[SamGad]

Oh yes please.

[chunkymonkey71]

fathomfive said:

If only I'd won last nights Euromillions.

Good news! It's rolled over to Friday... £105 million (I think)

[GTRene]

love them, not the interiors of those monsters though iii

[Stu R]

Blimey, PH is on fire with the Retro porn at the minute!

[1275GT]

Or this...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2335690.htm

[louiebaby]

666 SVT said:

There's one for sale in the garage just up the road from me with 1100 miles on it.

Very Nice.

http://www.ronhodgson.co.uk/ford--rs200-1519861

I don't, even for a moment, think I have the skills to do that car justice. And I very much doubt I'd fit either. But I want it quite badly.

[JuniorJet]

would love to take it for a spin, although it probably needs a hole in the middle of the seat for emergency exit. nuff sed.

[AndyCzech]

I have seen a couple of these on the roads and each time brings a smile to my face.

Not the prettiest beast but certainly a formidable track weapon.

I bought the much cheaper (ugly sister?) Sierra 4x4 Cosworth and enjoyed what was at the time a lot of power for the money. And a lot of plastic.

When will Ford make a 4x4 Focus Cosworth?

[lamby]

What was the 4-Wheel drive system taken from for these.... i see the second gear knob... could they disengage 4x4?? Good for fuel economy then!!! :P

[McGtfour]

Absolutely epic car, all the group B cars just looked bonkers! Am I right in thinking the rs200 held the 0-60 record for a production car at one point?

[positive85]

Absolutely love thes things, saw two at the NEC years ago and have wanted one since. Although I would find it hard to choose between 205 t-16, lancia 037 and rs200.

[iain1970]

Just had a look on the website selling the RS200, there are some very tempting cars on there!

666 SVT said:

There's one for sale in the garage just up the road from me with 1100
miles on it.
Very Nice.

http://www.ronhodgson.co.uk/ford--rs200-1519861

I'm sure I've seen that knocking around Rochdale a few years back, the registration number is very familiar.

Edited by iain1970 on Wednesday 11th May 11:41

[carmadgaz]

Was given a toy one of these as a kid and they have been my favourite Group B car ever since

[McGtfour]

Absolutely epic car, all the group B cars just looked bonkers! Am I right in thinking the rs200 held the 0-60 record for a production car at one point?

[jimbro1000]

Whatever happened to the group B car club? Seeing real RS200s giving it big potatoes around the tracks was a regular sight not so long ago...