One to Buy: ex-works 1984 Costa Smerelda & 1000 Pistes-winning Porsche 911 3.0 SC RS
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Although Porsche had great things planned for the 959 in Group B, it was ultimately a specially enhanced version of the regular 911 that went on to uphold the marque’s honour during those crazy years from 1982 to 1986.
As a matter of course, the 911 SC had been homologated for Group B competition on March 2nd 1982. By contrast, the subsequent 3.2-litre Carrera was never homologated as its larger engine would have forced it into a class with a markedly higher weight limit.
When Porsche’s title sponsor, Rothmans, requested a 911 rally car for the ‘84 season, Porsche obligingly created the SC RS.
Group B regulations permitted 20 uprated Evolution machines to be constructed every twelve months from the date of homologation and this is where the SC RS came in.
20 of these heavily modified cars were built, most of which found their way to the special stages. However, only six were reserved for works use by Porsche’s chosen partner: David Richards Autosport (now better known as Prodrive).
Much like when John Wyer’s Gulf-backed organisation were recruited to run the factory 917 programme between 1970 and ‘71, Richards’ outfit was selected on account of its rallying prowess.
Chassis 007, currently on offer with Duncan Hamilton ROFGO in Micheldever, Hampshire, was one of those half dozen examples of the SC RS destined for life as a factory Rothmans car.
It appeared on 13 occasions during the 1984, ‘85 and ‘86 seasons, during which time it was driven by Henri Toivonen, Jean-Luc Therier, Saeed Al-Hajri, Bernard Beguin and Billy Coleman.
Most significantly, Toivonen used chassis 007 for his victorious 1984 outings on the Costa Smerelda and 1000 Pistes events (during which the Finn was navigated by Juha Piironen and Ian Grindrod respectively).
In 1985, Billy Coleman took 007 to a win on the Donegal Rally which he followed up with victory on the ‘86 Galway Rally (both times with Ronan Morgan in the co-driver seat).
