VIN: Peugeot 205 T16 Evolution 1 chassis C1
History of chassis C1
Chassis C1 and C2 were the T16 Evolution 1s used by Peugeot for the model’s competition debut. This took place at round five of the 1984 World Rally Championship: the Tour de Corse. A tarmac event around the isle of Corsica, as the rally was held on French soil, it was especially important for Peugeot to do well.
C1 was registered 323 EXA 75, a plate later used by both chassis C10 and C12 in 1985.
Ari Vatanen and Terry Harryman were entered in C1 for the Tour de Corse with Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Charley Pasquier in the sister car.
Vatanen led the opening two days but, at 5am on day three, the Finn aquaplaned off the road at 80mph. C1 rolled several times and plunged 50 yards into some boulders. The crash ruptured the fuel lines and C1 was quickly consumed by fire.
Thankfully, Vatanen and Harryman escaped uninjured but C1 never saw competitive action again.
Nicolas brought the sister car home in fourth behind the Lancia 037s of Markku Alen and Miki Biasion. Jean Ragnotti was third in a Renault 5 Turbo.
Notable History
Peugeot Talbot Sport
Registered 323 EXA 75
03/05/1984 WRC Tour de Corse (A. Vatanen / T. Harryman) DNF (#4)
Wrecked in Vatanen’s Tour de Corse crash
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Peugeot - http://www.peugeot.com
