Teamspeed.com - Ultimate Shine: RS200 Evolution V's RS500

Well guys this one is slightly different so i thought i would share with you

As always i want you to know about it’s history,

Engine: four cylinder, in-line, twin overhead camshaft, Garrett TPL 1807 Turbo, 2,137cc, 628bhp at 7,000rpm; Gearbox: five speed Endean with straight cut tooth gears, non-synchro with variable 2/4 wheel drive; Suspension: independent all round with double wishbones, twin coil springs over hydraulic dampers on each corner and adjustable anti-roll bars; Brakes: Formula One specification four wheel vented and cross-drilled AP brakes. Left hand drive.

The Group B rallying era is without compare the most colourful and evocative period that the sport has ever seen and with the current iron-fisted WRC regime scaring manufacturers away, the Group B legacy is not likely to be threatened.

Rallying historically used production-based road cars that were suitably modified to tackle a variety of terrains and climates but a dramatic change came about in the 1970s when Lancia unveiled their Ferrari-engined Stratos. For the first time, a manufacturer had designed a car specifically for rallying with power, weight and centre of gravity taking precedent over allowances which were usually accounted for historically. Blisteringly quick, but hard to handle and with questionable reliability, the dynamic step taken by Lancia did not spread. But they had made a point and when the FIA introduced the Group B regulations in 1982, manufacturers then only had to make two hundred road-going derivatives in order to homologate their cars - the technological floodgates were opened, true rally specials were born and a golden era followed.

Initially manufacturers stuck with the age-old rear wheel drive concept but that was until Audi unleashed their Quattro with full-time four wheel drive - a new marker was set. Lancia, Peugeot, MG and Ford all went back to the drawing board but by the middle of the decade the World Rallying scene was a nail biting mix of terrifyingly powerful machines. Sadly the Group B rollercoaster came to an abrupt end following the unfortunate death of Henri Toivonen and his co-driver Sergio Cresto on the 1986 Tour de Course, and by the following year the formula had been outlawed. Now cemented in motoring folklore, the Group B era and the cars that it spawned famously earned the posthumous phrase 'too fast to race'.

Ford's late entry to the fray was due to the Quattro phenomenon thus they had to shelve their Escort-based RS1700T. The RS200 made its debut on the 1986 Swedish rally where it finished an enthusing third overall but with limited development time by comparison to its competitors (and compounded by the Group B outlaw); the RS200 never got a chance to show its prowess. Like the majority of other Group B cars, the RS200 soon found its way to the Rally cross scene and this was where the RS200 truly excelled with Mark Rennison proving dominant in the UK and the legendarily exuberant Martin Schanche in Europe.

Originally intended for rallying application, Ford built a limited series of Evolution RS200s, the majority of which fell victim to the hardship of Rally cross. The intention was to assemble twenty such examples but an additional four were completed by the Boreham Works bringing the total to twenty-four. Boasting in excess of 600bhp, it was one such Evolution example that in the hands of the 1984 World Rally Champion, Stig Blomqvist, held the 0-62mph (100kph) Guinness World Record time of just 3.07 seconds, a record that stood for twelve years!

This exceptional RS200 Evolution was originally built specifically for the sultan of brunei and features a unique mix of performance and luxury. The Brian Hart-built engine has been Dyno-tested at an amazing 628bhp at 7,000rpm and to cope with the transfer of power, a close ratio, heavy duty Endean transaxle was adopted along with suitably adequate prop and drive shafts. It also has variable 2/4 wheel driveability by which one can alter the drive from four wheel to two wheel and even a 36/64 split while on the move using the small red lever nestled alongside the gearshift, this option usually only found on the Works rally cars. To combat this incredible forward propensity, the Works looked to Formula One technology for the braking system, thus vented and cross drilled AP items were fitted and Aeroquip hoses used throughout, this RS200 features electric windows and mirrors, power steering.

Aggressively poised on split-rim Speed line alloys, condition both inside and out is flawless. Only 146 RS200s are recorded as being sold with only twelve EVOs known to survive, thus this amazing RS200 is awesome and what just adds to the whole write up let our friend Jeremy Clarkson introduce this exact car,

Jeremy Clarkson drives this car

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Probably the best bit on the whole car:D

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Now lay my problem of not being able to take the car outside for washdown so having to make the best of what i could in this clinical storage facility. Luckly it had been washed prior to this.

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The best tool if you have nothing else to use my Tornador cleaning tool with a mild blend of Meguiars APC.

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Polish residue was my biggest issue on this car along with dried in dirt in the nooks.

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Fibreglass panels seemed to play with the polishing side so using various different pads and compounds we managed to get a good level of correction.

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50/50 shot,

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Day 1 was a trial day for combo's and what i would be up against ahead. There is always something to be said for doing work in your own unit as you have everything set out in your own way. This car is a nightmare to drive and you have to launch the car at 4500rpm or it will stall.

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Sierra lights proved to be well worn,

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Removed the famous number plate to get in behind for cleainng and polishing,

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Extra stickers removed and then cleaned.

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Defects were pretty average all over nothing too severe,

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GLoss It Gloss Enhancer is always a great detailing spray for its cleaning abilitys.

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Clay time using megs aggressive and water with a very small ammount of shampoo

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Thankfully i had brought the squeegy blade from the workshop for tidying up the floor, worked wonders of holding the back section up.

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The polishing continued using mostly menzerna 3.02 and various pads.

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Before,

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Polishing,

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