VIN: the works Ford RS200 chassis 004
/ Ben Tyer
HISTORY OF CHASSIS 004
Chassis 004, sometimes referred to as P4, was the second RS200 prototype built. It was completed in November 1984 and registered B690 CEV on February 15th 1985.
The left-hand drive car spent most of 1985 on development and promotional duty. It featured in a range of press photos, some with Ford works driver, Kalle Grundel, and navigator, Benny Melander.
004 was test-driven by a number of European motoring magazines to include Auto Motor und Sport (18th September 1985 edition) and Automovil (November 1985 edition).
In January 1986, 004 was taken to Sweden for a series of tyres tests. By this time, it was in the Ford Motorsport colours of white with staggered blue stripes.
After the Swedish trials, 004 headed to Norway where Stig Blomqvist and Bruno Berglund were entered for the Numedal Rally which took place on January 18th. Although the RS200 wasn’t actually homologated until February 2nd, the event organisers were happy to accept the car on the grounds it would be good publicity.
The single day event (round one of the 1986 Norwegian Championship) was held over seven stages on a mixture of snow and gravel.
Blomqvist floundered in the deep snow of the opening stage to lie eleventh. However, he was fastest on the remaining six stages and ultimately finished second overall behind the Audi 80 Quattro of Valter Christian Jensen / Hakon Stamnes.
Chassis 004 subsequently returned to the UK and was retired from competition duty.
A few years later, it was reputedly dismantled by Ford.
Notable History
Ford Motor Company
02/1985 registered B690 CEV
Development & promotional car
18/09/1985 Auto Motor und Sport magazine
11/1985 Automovil magazine
18/01/1986 NOR Numedal Rally (S. Blomqvist / B. Berglund) 2nd oa, 1st G class (#1)
Later dismantled
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ford - https://www.ford.com & Auto Motor und Sport - https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/
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