There are a lot of rather exciting race cars in the PH Classifieds at the moment. From glorious old
NASCAR machines
Lotus F1 car
, to a stillborn piece of remarkable
Group B history
. There are also three - yes three -
, priced at 250, 350 and 450,000 pounds respectively. Of course, it was the most expensive one which caught our eye.
Though what a car it is. The 6R4 needs no introduction, but why miss an opportunity to remind ourselves just what an incredible machine is up for grabs? Developed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering, the 6R4 was powered by a Cosworth-derived mid-mounted 3.0-litre V6 capable of putting out up to 415hp. Naturally aspirated in this application, a turbocharged version of the same engine would eventually find its way into Jaguar's XJ220.
Fitting such a motor in such a tiny car, comprised mainly of aluminium and fibreglass, and with the benefit of all-wheel drive traction, produced predictably explosive results. 0-60 was dispatched in under 3.2 seconds, 0-100 in 8.2 and the top speed, well, it probably feels fast enough when trees were zipping by inches from your mirrors at 120mph. Unfortunately, feeling fast enough didn't equate to being fast enough, the 6R4 suffering reliability issues after a promising start and never recovering in time to become competitive before the demise of Group B racing.
This particular example has the added appeal - and therefore expense - of having been owned and driven by Colin McRae. Not in anger, of course - although McRae's driving style could be described as 'angry'' even when not competing, as the below video demonstrates - but rather as a Course Car following his retirement from the WRC.
How much of the current car was actually finessed, wrestled with and cajoled by the man himself is left is another question though. The ad admitting that the car "unfortunately caught fire whilst Colin was working on it in his garage" and has only "recently undergone" a full, ground up restoration.
Now in Tarmac spec, it still features its original V64V International Engine, although now makes use of a Motec ECU conversion, works-spec front and rear diffs, a carbon and honeycomb lamp pod assembly and 16-inch Dymag wheels. But despite the many changes since his ownership, the car still comes with the original V5, listing McRae as a previous owner. It's a tangible link between the halcyon days of rallying and one of the sports greatest sons, a piece of motorsport history, and one hell of a car to boot.
See the full advert here.