Ripping through a European forest with a navigator sitting in the passenger seat—dreaming of running a car in the now-defunct FIA Group B and Group A classifications is a fantasy reserved for the brave. Only those drivers with considerable skill would attempt to pilot these turbocharged coupes at top speed off-road. Especially now, as well-kept production variants of these rally-focused race cars are becoming genuinely rare and collectible.
Offered for auction in Monterey is not one but five of these desirable homologation specials. Uncommon, especially in the United States, these examples were all made in limited quantities, designed to be thinly veiled versions of highly capable race cars. Though the golden era of Group A and Group B racing has come to an end, the cars of The World Rally Classics Collection still shine strong in the hearts and minds of many motorsport aficionados. No wonder many young collectors see these as a potential investment:
Ordered new by UK-based Qatari Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani and retained for two decades, scarcely used, and previously shown at the prestigious Salon Privé—these attributes would qualify any car as an elite collectible. One of only 200 of the race-based, road-going 205 Turbo 16 hatchbacks made by Peugeot, this example was refinished by Sheikh Al-Thani in black and is believed to be the only example exhibited as such. Beneath the rear clamshell is a 1.8-liter, turbocharged engine powering all four wheels thanks to Ferguson Formula Development's patented epicyclic center differential and limited-slip differentials on both the front and rear. Moreover, with its odometer reading 8,696 km (~5,404 mi.) and such well-preserved originality, this 205 Turbo 16 is an example tailor-made for a collector. Peugeot’s back-to-back wins in Group B only buoyed the legacy of this hot hatch.
The star of The World Rally Classics Collection debuted at a time of change for Group B racing. Homologation rules dictated that 200 production cars had to be built for inclusion of a manufacturer’s racer; though Ford managed to achieve this, only 24 examples were given the full Evolution specification. An enhanced suspension, brakes, and an enlarged 2.1-litre Ford BDT engine, co-developed by Cosworth, were some of the benefits of the upgrade. 600 horsepower was the stated output given by Ford, especially considerable given its lightweight bodywork, distinctively styled by Ghia. Listening to the sound alone of the Group B racer is enough to inspire any young enthusiast, while the experience of shifting the dog-leg gearbox through the gears as the turbo kicks in would impress drivers of any era; no wonder this Ford is an icon for so many modern collectors.
As with all of the cars of The World Rally Classics Collection, this Citroën makes the most sense when viewed at speed, drifting on a dirt circuit. A period French documentary of the BX 4TC’s racing counterpart called it “The Titanic of Group B,” and footage of it sliding gracefully belies the effectiveness of its advanced four-wheel-drive system. Retrofuturism is on display throughout this example, from the decals to the dashboard to the two-spoke CX Turbo wheels. Like legacy Citroën examples, the BX 4TC benefits from a hydropneumatic suspension system; a ride height control lever allows the driver to raise or lower the car on command. Perhaps most impressive is the rarity of this homologation special. A mere 64 were believed to have been sold—this example is one of only 30 estimated to survive.
Perhaps the quintessential homologation special, this Lancia tread far from its origins as the humble Delta. Winning a record six WRC manufacturers’ championships and four drivers’ championships, Lancia’s dominance in rallying was overwhelming—a feat noted by in-period collectors. By the time the Evoluzione II model debuted, Lancia engineers had released exclusive offerings of limited-edition models, perhaps the most iconic of them being the ‘Giallo Ginestra’ seen above. Named for the yellow of a flowering shrub that grows in the Mediterranean, this one-of-220 special edition sports matching yellow stitching on its Alcantara Recaro seats. Having recently benefited from an engine-out service and the replacement of its rubber intake hoses and vacuum lines, this rally icon has a maintenance record to match its motorsport bona fides.
The final example in the collection may not seem at first to have a rally connection. Zagato of Milan is mostly known for their avant-garde designs, of which the Hyena seems to fit perfectly. Under its Grigio Alloy-colored aluminum skin, this Hyena is, in fact, a Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione—the brainchild of Dutch Lancia maven Paul Koot, who commissioned Zagato to re-imagine the rally icon into a two-door coupe. An iconic “double-bubble” roof crowns the driver-focused interior, which has been re-upholstered in turquoise Alcantara. One of only 24 believed to have been built between 1992 and 1994, this Hyena is one of the rarest modern production vehicles from any manufacturer. More significantly, this example is believed to be the first Hyena offered for sale in the United States. Finally, American collectors can acquire what the rest of the world has known for decades—the advanced engineering and thrilling engagement of The World Rally Classics Collection offers an experience unlike any other class of cars.
