1986 Ford RS200 ‘S’ | The Summer Serenade Auction | 18th July

• Probably the last traceable RS200 in existence and unregistered
• Unique and extraordinary opportunity
• One of 20 ‘S’ versions

The RS200 was born in the era of 'Group B' rallying, undeniably the most extreme period in rally history with all competing manufacturers turning every dial up to 11. The power was immense, the courses dangerous and no matter how high the level of a driver's skill, it was always outmatched by the sheer bravery required to pilot these machines at full chat. Whilst Ford’s competitors developed their rally cars from suitable models in their road car range - Lancia with their S4 Integrale, Audi with the S1 Quattro and Peugeot with their T16 205 - Ford took a more extreme route, building a competitive rally car and then using it as the basis for a well engineered, road-legal version, purely to tick the homologation boxes.

Produced by Ford Motorsport in Boreham from 1984 - 1986, the plastic-fiberglass composite body was designed by Filippo Sapino of Ghia Design Studio and enclosed a mid-mounted engine, four-wheel drive and a front-mounted gearbox for ideal 50/50 weight distribution. The chassis was designed by Formula 1 designer, Tony Southgate, in conjunction with F1 engineer, John Wheeler, so the car had real potential for greatness.

Motivation was provided by a 1,803cc Ford Cosworth BDT engine fitted with a Garett T03/04 turbocharger which produced 250bhp in standard road-going trim although, as production progressed, more power became available. At the time, 'Group B' regulations required manufacturers to assemble 200 road-going versions of their race-bred competition cars, however with the passing of time, it's become clear that Ford did not manage to sell 200, with Justin Smith, the Ford RS200 authority, believing as few as 147 were thought to have been sold. Amongst the last to be sold were 20 'Special' or S versions, which were the brainchild of Canadian, Murray DeWert. He proposed to Ford the idea of offering a tuned and refined model which offered a power increase to 350bhp and superior levels of interior comforts. The S included practically every available option to enhance performance and drivability. Amongst the 20 S versions, the majority were finished in white with, according to Ford RS200 registrar Justin Smith, just two factory finished in Rosso Red.

An extraordinary opportunity to acquire what is believed to be the last traceable Ford RS200 that was never registered and one of the original twenty "S" models destined for the Canadian market.

Originally acquired for a private collection in Ireland, the car was unfortunately stored in a garage when the property suffered a serious fire. Following a prolonged insurance settlement lasting more than twelve years, the remains of the vehicle were acquired by the present vendor. Uniquely qualified for the task, the vendor owns the original Ford body tooling and the Arch Motors chassis jigs used for the RS200 programme and has been responsible for the repair and restoration of numerous surviving RS200 chassis.

Today, the vehicle is offered as a comprehensive package of core components and exceptionally rare original parts, presenting what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to construct and register the final RS200.

The package includes, but is not limited to:
Engine
• Original 350bhp specification RS200 engine.
• Recorded mileage of just 4 miles from new.
• Complete with inlet and exhaust manifolds, turbocharger and wastegate.
• The engine was dismantled and rebuilt as a display piece; pistons and valves were intentionally omitted to prevent corrosion and seizure of internal components ( supplied with the engine but not installed and are in a box )

Chassis
• Complete, unused right-hand-drive chassis tub.
• Correct factory heat shielding fitted within the engine bay.
• Original front-to-rear coolant pipework included.

Interior
• Pair of original grey Sparco seats.
• Complete carpet set.
• Under-carpet sound deadening.
• Door trims and headlining
• Numerous smaller interior components, including the original passenger-side glovebox liner, which remains present and undamaged.
• Please note that no dashboard is included.

Door Components
• Two complete door assemblies.
• Original lightweight 4mm Ford bronze-tinted glass.
• Window winding mechanisms and door pulls.

Bodywork
• Centre tub.
• Pair of doors.
•Rear clamshell.
• Bonnet.
• Front bumper.
• Standard (non-Evolution) roof spoiler.
• Front "A" panels.

All body components are original road-specification items supplied directly from the moulds.

Documentation
• Original Ford RS200 owner's manual bearing the vehicle's VIN.
• Insurance company release documentation.
• Bill of sale

As the car was never registered, no insurance write-off marker exists against the vehicle and it will not appear on any total loss registers.

The vendor also possesses a substantial inventory of additional RS200 components, although these do not form part of this vehicle's original provenance. He would be pleased to assist the successful purchaser in sourcing any remaining parts required to complete the build. A remarkable offering of immense significance to Ford RS200 enthusiasts and collectors alike, representing a unique chance to create and register what is believed to be the final unregistered RS200 in existence. Consigned by James Good