2,137cc DOHC 16V Turbocharged 4-Cylinder Engine
Fuel Injection
550-650bhp at 8,500rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle - All Wheel Drive
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*One of just 24 RS 200 Evolution examples ever produced
*Mind-boggling performance with over 600 horsepower and 0-60 under 3 seconds
*Highly original example in same ownership for more than 25 years
*The ultimate Ford Group B car

THE FORD RS 200 EVOLUTION

Masterminded by its European Motor Sports boss, Stuart Turner, the RS 200 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 RS 200 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 crystallized as a compact mid-engined Coupe 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 body-shells at Newport Pagnell.

The RS 200 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 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. 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 rumored 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.

Reportedly, Ford had built just RS 200 models before the FIA pulled the plug on Group B rallying. Of these, just 24 were converted by the factory into higher-performance Evolution trim. The Evolution RS 200 was able to run with (and most times ahead of) more prestigious and expensive supercars of the day.

Evolution models received a 2.1-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, rated at a minimum of 600 horsepower in "stock" trim, though the use of larger turbochargers, bigger intercoolers, a variable-boost controller and updated tuning could produce outputs 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. Performance of Evolution models, even in stock form, was impressive, with the run from 0-60 MPH taking just three seconds and the run from 0-100 MPH taking a mere five. Today, the RS 200 Evolution remains a sought-after collectible among Ford performance enthusiasts, especially those with a passion for WRC history.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

According to the Ford Motor Company issued Manufacturer's Statement of Origin on file, issued by the Boreham, UK based Ford Motorsport Department, this RS 200 is one of the rare and desirable factory Evolution models; one of just 24 cars ever produced with staggering performance on tap. The car came into the current ownership in 1989, when it was purchased from the founder of the Colorado Grand Rally, the late Mr. Robert 'Bob' Southerland in nearly new condition.

The RS 200 Evolution has remained in the US ever since, and was on static display for the past decades at the well-known Auto Collections in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is recommended that a thorough mechanical check-up and service is performed, including replacement of the timing belt, before running this potent, Group B competition car. The car has not been started for the past decade.

Today, this rare RS 200 Evolution presents in highly original state throughout, and does not appear to ever have been used much. The exterior is trimmed with the iconic Evolution decals in blue, and does not appear to have been disturbed since applied at the factory. A full array of spot and fog lights are mounted up front, ensuring proper visibility on a night stage. The all-out racing interior appears to be in equally original condition, and feature the red bucket seats with 4-point Sabelt harness and matching red steering wheel. The front compartment still contains the factory tool kit. The engine compartment is a treat for any fan of racing cars. Everything is high-tech even by today's standards, with pipes and hoses running everywhere, dry sump tanks, and the massive intercooler bridging over it all.

With just 24 examples built and outrageous performance on tap, this RS 200 Evolution is among the most sought after competition cars of all time. They are featured in many books, and held the record for the fastest accelerating car in the Guinness Book of World Records for many years. Offered here is the opportunity to acquire what must be one of the most original examples of the RS 200 Evolution, out of singular ownership for 28 years.