VIN: Peugeot 205 T16 Evolution 1 chassis C6
History of chassis C6
At the 1000 Lakes Rally in August 1984, Ari Vatanen secured the 205 T16’s maiden WRC win. On the back of this historic result, the victorious car (chassis C4) was retired from competition duty.
Four cars had been used in the opening three events: one had been destroyed and the other three were simply put aside in favour of fresher machinery. With a stock of 20 T16 Evolution 1s and twelve months to use them (before the Evolution 2 came on stream) Peugeot were able to run new or very low mileage cars at every rally.
Peugeot’s fourth event with the T16 was the Rallye Sanremo held from September 30th to October 5th 1984. Two brand new Evolution 1s were taken to Italy for the mixed tarmac and gravel event: chassis C6 for Jean-Pierre Nicolas / Charley Pasquier and chassis C7 for Ari Vatanen / Terry Harryman.
The cars had shed a further 20kg, been given an improved air supply to the rear brakes and were fitted with new BBS wheels for the tarmac stages.
In the sister car, Vatanen / Harryman proved unstoppable and secured a well deserved victory on Lancia’s home soil. Meanwhile, Nicolas / Pasquier were fifth in chassis C6 (behind a trio of Lancia 037s).
The event was marred by a number of spectator injuries including one that saw a cameraman tossed over C6’s bonnet during a night stage.
Chassis C6’s second and final outing for the works Peugeot squad came in the 1985 Monte Carlo Rally (January 26th to February 1st). Peugeot arrived with a trio of T16s for the 1985 season-opener, all of which were in tarmac trim and weighed around 960kg.
Deeming the Group B cars too fast, Jean-Pierre Nicholas had retired at the end of 1984. Peugeot also expanded to a three car effort at most rallies so added Timo Salonen and tarmac-specialist Bruno Saby to their driver roster.
Ari Vatanen took a convincing Monte Carlo win in one of the brand new sister cars (C11) and Salonen finished third in the other (C10). The one-rally-old chassis C6 placed fifth with Bruno Saby at the wheel and Jean-Francois Fauchille navigating.
Following a brace of fifth place finishes from its two WRC outings, chassis C6 was withdrawn from further competition use.
Notable History
Peugeot Talbot Sport
Registered 709 EXC 75
30/09-05/10/1984 WRC Rallye Sanremo (J.P. Nicolas / C. Pasquier) 5th oa, 5th Gr.B class (#8)
Registered 123 FBL 75
26/01-01/02/1985 WRC Monte Carlo Rallye (B. Saby / J.F. Fauchille) 5th oa, 5th Gr.B class (#8)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Peugeot - http://www.peugeot.com
