In the mid -80s of the last century there was a category in the World Rally Championship in which vehicles of just 1,000 kilos They flew on the roads of ground driven by up to 600 hp. It was the golden era of group B of Rallyes, and the risk of driving these four -wheeled missiles made this category be eliminated, this category was soon eliminated, Leaving legends as the Lancia Delta S4 Integrale, Audi S1 Quattro and Peugeot 205 T16.
The only requirement for brands to participate in this category was that the car that competed had At least 200 approved units for street. Ford designed the RS200 specifically for this test, and manufactured 200 units to comply with the regulation share.
That, in itself, already makes it a Very quoted piece For collectors. But Ford went a little further by giving another twist to exclusivity and made 20 of them under the distinctive S (from Special) in his name. He Canadian Murray Dewert He was in charge of refining his engine by adding 100 hp more to the 200 hp that already mounted the “standard” RS200 model.
The intense story of the RS200 s Ford
The RS200 Ford was specifically designed for Compete in Rally Group B And he appeared in the mid -80s, highlighting for his total traction. Ghia designed an ultralight fiberglass chassis, and installed a 1.8 -liter turbo engine, developed by Cosworth, capable of generating up to 450 hp in its competition version. Therefore, the 20 units of the RS200 s was a street car, but with only 100 hp less than the competence on the tracks.
However, group B’s competitions were canceled in 1986 due to numerous fatal accidents suffered by cars that participated in this category, which resulted in Several deaths both among pilots and among the audience due to frequent track departures.
That left the RS200 without the possibility of demonstrating its maximum potential on the slopes. Despite this, the highway approved units gained value as collection pieces due to their advanced technology and exclusivity.
The Ford “Rosso”
The Exclusivity of the RS200 S Ford that concerns us is not so much in its poor global production, as in being a RARE Av For collecting, of which even There is a video of the moment in which Ford gives it to those who now sell it.
Within the RS200 s variant with higher performance, only four were painted with an unpublished special color in a Ford car: the Red Ferrari. That makes these units some extremely rare pieces, if it also takes into account that It is estimated that only two Of those four units they have come to this day.
This finish was not part of the original factory design, but a specific application that makes it even more unique and special for collectors and enthusiasts.
A Treasury for Collectors
The model that goes to the market on February 22 in the auction house Iconic auctix It is unit 138 and has been carefully maintained and has 32,186 kilometers in the odometer, which is unusual for a car of this era.
In addition, it has been reviewed by specialists, ensuring that is preserved in excellent conditions both in its mechanics and in its body. This detail guarantees that it is not only a collection car, but a fully functional and ready to be driven and admired.
The organizers of the auction estimate that it could reach a price of between 270,000 and 340,000 euros given its impeccable status and the rarity of the unit. In addition, it is equipped with outstanding characteristics for the time such as specific Speedline tires, the original interior and a mechanical configuration that makes it as shocking as it was more than three decades ago.
A curiosity that shows this unit is that, when being in the United Kingdom, it has the wheel to the right. However, this was not its original configuration that the steering wheel had “in the right place“Ford modified it before giving it to its owner, and facilitated the original pieces in case you wanted to reverse the change.
Image | Iconic auctix