One to Buy: Number 103 of 200 1983 Nissan Silvia 240RS
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Having established an enviable reputation on the special stages that culminated in seven outright Safari Rally wins beginning in 1970, Nissan decided to embark on a Group B programme for 1983.
The resultant Silvia 240 RS was a straightforward evolution of the outgoing Group 4 PA10 Violet in which Shekhar Mehta had won four Safaris on the bounce between 1979 and ‘82. 200 examples of the 240RS were built during the second half of 1982 and homologation was subsequently approved from January 2nd 1983.
Initially powered by a 2340cc dual overhead cam FJ24 inline four with 265bhp, the rear-drive 240RS was unsurprisingly in its element on tough long distance events where its rugged construction and uncomplicated specification proved a big advantage.
Although Nissan never won at World Championship level with the 240RS (its best result was second on the 1983 New Zealand Rally with Timo Salonen at the wheel), the car went on to secure several national titles and has come to be revered as one of the most handsome creations of the Group B era.
Set to go under the hammer at Iconic Auctioneers’ Silverstone sale on August 25th is number 103 of the 200 240RS built.
Originally delivered to Nissan South Africa in standard road trim, Koos Roos used the car for a number of events before it was brought up to full Group B competition trim. Today the car is offered in very good fully operational condition.
