VIN: the PTS UK Peugeot 205 T16 Evolution 1 chassis C20
History of chassis C20
Of the 20 cars built by Peugeot Talbot Sport (PTS) to Evolution 1 trim, four were allocated to the company’s distributor teams for Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK. These cars appeared in the works PTS colour scheme and generally undertook a mix of domestic and international events.
Whereas the works PTS squad had an abundance of cars at their disposal (which meant an individual chassis rarely did more than two or three rallies), the distributor outfits were given one car each.
Chassis C20 was the T16 destined for use by PTS UK.
The PTS UK operation was run by Des O’Dell who had famously masterminded the victorious 1981 World Rally Championship for Talbot (which was part of the Chrysler Europe assets purchased by PSA Group in 1979).
C20 was UK registered B555 SRW in June 1985. That year, it was driven by Mikael Sundstrom and navigated by Phil White.
Sundstrom and White contested four events in 1985; they crashed out of the Scottish Rally, finished third on the Ulster, were forced to retire with engine trouble on the Manx and then crashed again at the season-ending RAC (where C20 was rolled).
Navigational duties were mostly handled by Voitto Silander for 1986 (with the exception of a victorious outing at the Lurgan Park Rally where Sundstrom was co-driven by Richard Young).
After three DNFs were posted in the first three events of 1986, C20 finally began to realise its potential during the second half of the season. In addition to the Lurgan Park victory, Sundstrom won the Scottish Rally, after which he claimed third on the Ulster and fourth on the Manx.
Chassis C20 was subsequently retired from active duty.
It has not been taxed for road use since 1987 and has since spent much time in the Coventry Motor Museum.
Notable History
Peugeot Talbot Sport UK
06/1985 registered B555 SRW
08/06/1985 ERC Scottish Rally (M. Sundstrom / P. White) DNF (#7)
26/07/1985 GBR Ulster Rally (M. Sundstrom / P. White) 3rd oa, 3rd B12 class (#7)
11/09/1985 ERC Manx International Rally (M. Sundstrom / P. White) DNF (#7)
24/11/1985 WRC RAC Rally (M. Sundstrom / P. White) DNF (#15)
21/02/1986 GBR NationalBreakdown Rally (M. Sundstrom / V. Silander) DNF (#5)
28/03/1986 ERC Circuit of Ireland (M. Sundstrom / V. Silander) DNF (#6)
03/05/1986 GBR Welsh Rally (M. Sundstrom / V. Silander) DNF (#6)
07/06/1986 ERC Scottish Rally (M. Sundstom / V. Silander) 1st oa, 1st B12 class (#7)
26/07/1986 IND Lurgan Park Rally (M. Sundstrom / R. Young) 1st oa, 1st in class (#??)
08/08/1986 GBR Ulster Rally (M. Sundstrom / V. Silander) 3rd oa, 3rd B10 class (#3)
11/09/1986 ERC Manx Rally (M. Sundstom / V. Silander) 4th oa, 4th B12 class (#8)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Peugeot - http://www.peugeot.com
