1986 Ford RS200

Ford began the development of a rear-wheel drive, a turbocharged version of their MK III Escort (the Escort RS 1700T) for the new Group B rally racing series. As is often the case, development problems arose which ultimately forced Ford to abandon the project. Instead of simply writing off the costs of the failed 1700T, Ford executives made the decision to go in a different direction, and build an all-new, purpose-built rally car. This new vehicle would go head-to-head with the Lancia Delta S4 and the Audi Quattro S1 - meaning the new car would require four-wheel drive.

The RS200 was given a composite/fiberglass body styled by Flippo Saprino at the Ghia Design Studio. Formula One designer Tony Southgate designed the chassis along with help from former F1 engineer John Wheeler. Mounting the 1.8-liter Cosworth 'BDT' engine in the middle, and placing the transmission in the front, gave the RS200 excellent balance, even better than its competition.

Complying with FIA homologation rules, Ford planned to build a minimum of 200 examples. 24 of those were given serious upgrades and dubbed 'Evolution' models. The RS200 Evolution received an uprated suspension, brakes, and a larger 2.1-liter version of the Cosworth powerplant. At full boost, the RS200 has nearly 600 horsepower and can race from zero-to-sixty in just over 3 seconds.

by Dan Vaughan

Evolution Coupe
Chassis number: SFACXXBJ2CGL00087

This white RS200 is one of those rare Evolution models and has just 5.557 kilometers. The interior has grey carpeting, door inserts, red Sparco seats and a matching red leather XR3i steering wheel.

In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Amelia Island Auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $80,000-$120,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $159,500 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Evolution Coupe
Chassis number: 106

The Ford RS200 was unveiled to the public in 1984 and built in limited numbers. These purpose-built cars were conceived by Ford Motorsport and were an engineering tour de force. They had an advanced four-wheel drive system, a turbocharged Cosworth engine, and a sophisticated suspension system designed to cope with the rigors of rally racing. The RS200 was given a composite/fiberglass body styled by Flippo Saprino at the Ghia Design Studio.

The Ford RS200 was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest accelerating production automobile, achieving a zero-to-sixty mph time of less than 3.2 seconds and a 0-100-0 time in a mere 12.6 seconds.

Road-going examples were powered by a 1.8-liter engine while the more-power Evolution examples were given a 2.1-liter unit.

The Ford RS200 Evo competition variant was intended to conquer FIA's popular Group B formula. However, the series was canceled before Ford had a chance to fully develop the RS200's potential. The cars would go on to achieve great success in ice racing, hill climbs, rallycross, and many other forms of motorsport competition. Just 144 RS200s were produced, including the 24 Evolution variants.

This car, chassis 106, was custom-built to the standards of its first owner, Frank Profera of Sherman Oaks, California. It was designed as a road car but specified as a left-hand-drive Evolution model, finished in white and given a fully trimmed interior. It rested on Speedline split racing wheels, fitted with power steering, a suede-wrapped MOMO steering wheel, and rally-spec AP Racing brakes. The standard Evolution produced around 500 horsepower; this example produced 600 hp, as indicated on the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. This extra horsepower was achieved through the use of ported MK II heads, larger turbocharger, and IMSA-spec intercooler. It also received a cockpit adjustable-boost dial and a 4-inch works rally exhaust system.

The car was completed and prepared for delivery to California in the spring of 1989. When new, it demanded a retail price of £63,357.55. The car was acquired by Frank Profera of Sherman Oaks, California. Surprisingly, he was not satisfied with its performance and eventually sent the engine to Brian Hart Limited in Essex, UK for additional tuning. Mr. Hart was one of the individuals who had overseen the development of the RS200 Evolution engine for Ford Motorsport. Mr. Hart, along with East Coast Racing, designed a second ECU, with full mapping for street use, along with other modifications for strength and reliability. Upon completion, the engine produced an astonishing 704 BHP at 8000 RPM and 535 lbs/ft of torque.

Jonathan Beck of Mansfeld, United Kingdom acquired the car in 2003. It was sold two years later to Phil Richardson of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, it returned to the United Kingdom and into the care of David Kedward. It was sold once more to its current caretaker, who treated it to a sympathetic restoration.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Tickford
Chassis number: SFACXXBJ2CGL00133

The Ford RS 200 was the company's attempt at producing a worthy competitor for the Group B rally class. The RS 200, which stands for 'Rally Sport, 200 built' was the brainchild of Ford U.K. Motorsport director, Stuart Turner. Prior to this, the Ford rally car had been the front-engined, rear-wheel drive, Escort RS1800 and the Fiesta-based RS1700T. By this point in history, Audi's Quattro had proven the capability and effectiveness of four-wheel drive in rallying, prompting a drastic rethink at Boreham.

Ford Motor Sports Chief Engineer, John Wheeler, oversaw the development of the RS 200 project. 200 cars were built to comply with the Group B homologation requirements. The design, by Tony Southgate, eventually penned by Filippo Sapino as a compact mid-engined coupé powered by a turbo-charged version of the 1.8-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder Cosworth BDA engine (the BDT) and equipped with four-wheel drive. The engine offered 250 horsepower in road-going trim while the rally tune produced 600 horsepower. Ford's Italian subsidiary, Carrozzeria Ghia, was entrusted with the styling; Aston Martin-owned Tickford built the composite body-shells at Newport Pagnell.

The RS 200 made its first public display in 1984 and homologated in February of 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.

The first competitive outing for the RS 200 was at the Swedish Rally where it was piloted by Kalle Grundel who finished 3rd overall. The RS 200 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. At the end of the season, the FISA ended the Group B category due to a number of fatal accidents, some involving spectators. Seeking to recoup some of the £10 million rumored to have been spent on the project, Ford stripped down 120 RS 200s and rebuilt them as road-legal supercars to be sold at around £50,000 apiece.

This particular was sent to the United States in the late 1980s. It was purchased by its current owner from a Colorado based dealership in 1989, who never registered or titled the car for road use. Since purchased, this vehicle has only been stored in a controlled environment keeping its originality intact. This RS 200 is a road going model optioned with standard gray carpeting, red racing bucket seats, red leather steering wheel, tool kit, roll-up windows, standard 1-piece magnesium wheels, and full time 4-wheel drive. The Cosworth designed engine, assembled by JQF Engineering, has been driven approximately 8,300 miles since purchase.

This vehicle stayed with The Auto Collections in Las Vegas, Nevada since 2002.

by Dan Vaughan

Evolution Coupe
Chassis number: SFACXXBJ2CGL00084

Ford UK Motorsport director, Stuart Turner, was the brainchild behind the RS 200 (for Rallye Sport - 200 examples were built). Ford's RS 200 was their entry at contesting the Group B rally series. Their prior entry was the rear-wheel driven, front-engined Escort RS 1800. The Fiesta-based RS 1700T was intended to be a replacement, yet it was another rear-wheel drive design. Audi's Quattro had proven the effectiveness of four-wheel drive in rallying, prompting Ford to reconsider its options.

Work on the RS 200 project began in 1983. It was overseen by Ford Motor Sports Chief Engineer, John Wheeler, with production of 200 cars planned in order to comply with Group B requirements. The design, by Tony Southgate, eventually penned by Filippo Sapino as a compact mid-engined coupé with four-wheel drive and powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.8-liter 16-valve 5-cylinder Cosworth BDA engine (the BDT). In road-going guise, the engine offered 250 horsepower while the rally versions produced up to 600 bhp. Carrozzeria Ghia was tasked with the styling and Aston Martin-owned Tickfort built the composite body-shells at Newport Pagnell.

In 1984, the Ford RS 200 was first publicly displayed. It was homologated in February 1986 after the required 200 examples had been built. All but the initial six prototypes were completed at Reliant's factory at Shenstone, Staffordshire.

The inaugural World Championship outing was at that year's Swedish Rally where Kalle Grundel finished 3rd overall. Before the year's end, the RS 200 went on to achieve a total of 19 wins and 32 podium finishes at the international level, securing several national championships along the way.

At the end of the season, FISA ended the Group B supercar racing due to a number of fatal accidents, some involving spectators.

Of the 200 models built by Ford, 24 were converted by the factory into higher-performance Evolution trim. The Evolution RS 200 received a 2.1-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at a minimum of 600 horsepower. When larger turbochargers, bigger intercoolers, a variable-boost controller and updated tuning were added, outputs rose up to 900 horsepower. Torque could be split three different ways, including 100-percent rear; 63-percent rear and 37-percent front; and 50:50, depending upon road conditions and driver preference.

This RS 200 is a factory Evolution model. It entered the current ownership's care in 1989 when it was purchased from the founder of the Colorado Grand Rally, the late Mr. Robert 'Bob' Southerland. It has remained in the United States ever since. It was on display for the past decades at the Auto Collections in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This car has the iconic Evolution decals in blue. It has a full array of spot and fog lights mounted up front. The interior features the red bucket seats with 4-point Sabelt harness and matching red steering wheel.

by Dan Vaughan

Evolution Coupe

This 1986 Ford RS 200 Evo is the car that dominated the British Rally Cross and brought Mark Rennison the Championship.

Coupe by Tickford

Previously owned by rally racer Ken Block, this RS200 is one of 200 ever built, upgraded to EVO specs. Little is known about its early life. It was sold in Norway in 1987 and had 456 kilometers on its odometer by 2006. Ken Block acquired the Ford in 2017, and he customized it with gloss black paint, matte vinyl, a custom suede interior, Recaro seats, a 700 hp EVO engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox, an upgraded KW coilover suspension, and custom Rotiform wheels with Toyo Proxes R 888R tires.

The Ford RS200 was designed to comply with FIA homologation regulations and based on Ford's Group B Rally car. Homologation rules stated that 200 examples of road-going versions must be created in order to compete in rally racing. The vehicle was so perfect that it held the Guinness Book of Records for being the world's fastest accelerating car.

The vehicle was created by Ford of Britain. It was based heavily on the European version of the Escort though its chassis was designed by a former Formula 1 designer named Tony Southgate. John Wheeler used his F1 engineering background to aid in the development. The vehicle was given all-wheel drive and a mid-mounted engine. Weight distribution was further improved by placing the transmission at the front of the car. Production lasted from 1984 through 1986. The body was constructed of a plastic and fiberglass composite and designed by the legendary firm, Ghia. The suspension was made up of a double-wishbone setup with twin dampers on all wheels. The engine was an l.8 liter Ford four-cylinder unit with Cosworth modifications. A turbocharger helped produce 250 horsepower for the road-going versions and around 350 for the racing versions. Though some of the racing engines were highly tuned and produced horsepower in the 400 through 450 range.

Ford created the 200 road-going versions of the RS200 in compliance with FIA rules. They created additional spare parts that could have created in excess of twenty extra vehicles. These parts were earmarked for the racing efforts.

With a potent engine, lightweight construction, excellent weight distribution, and all-wheel drive the Ford RS200 was theoretically the ultimate machine. In reality, it lagged in the power-to-weight ratio in comparison to other vehicles. Also, the engine produced low-RPM lag which made it difficult to be competitive.

The Ford RS200 best finish in Group B rallying competition came in 1986 at the WRC Rally of Sweden where it placed third. It did achieve mild success in other classes outside of Group B competition and it may have seen more in the Group B class but after one year of racing, the FIA disbanded the Group B and the RS200 became obsolete. The decision to disband came after Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Crestos died in an accident at the 1986 Tour de Course. Officials made the decision that the cars were too fast and posed too many safety risks. This was unfortunate on many fronts. The Group B racing was very competitive and just as exciting. To combat their shortcomings, Ford had planned on resolving the vehicle's problems with the introduction of an 'Evolution' version. The upgraded engine was estimated to produce between 525 and 800 horsepower. The rest of the vehicle's components were to receive attention such as the suspension, brakes, chassis, and more. Zero-to-sixty was estimated to take around two seconds.

Out of the 200 examples created, around 24 were later converted to the 'Evolution' status.

by Dan Vaughan