VIN: the works Peugeot 205 T16 Evolution 2 chassis C207
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HISTORY OF CHASSIS C207
Unlike the majority of T16 Evolution 2s that generally only saw action in a couple of events, chassis C207 was campaigned in half a dozen rallies during the 1986 season.
It debuted as part of a three-car team on the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally (January 18th to 24th). The works trio ran in 450bhp tarmac trim with new underbody aerodynamics to increase downforce. C207 was allocated to Juha Kankkunen and Juha Piironen but in unpredictable conditions the Michelin-shod Peugeots were unable to keep up with the Lancias on Pirelli’s latest tyre compounds. Kankkunen ultimately placed fifth after suffering a variety of engine and fuel feed problems.
C207 next appeared at Peugeot’s home event: the Tour de Corse (May 1st to 3rd). On this occasion, Michelle Mouton took the wheel alongside Fabrizia Pons and C207 ran a trick head gasket that enabled turbo boost of up to 3 bar plus special ceramic manifold materials to allow greater engine temperatures. All three of the Peugeots had a new six-speed gearbox, new side skirts and hydraulic shock absorber attachments to reduce understeer around slow corners. Unfortunately, Mouton retired on stage nine after her car got stuck in gear and the starter motor broke.
More serious though was a crash that cost the lives of Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto whose Lancia Delta S4 flew off the road and into a ravine where it was consumed by an intense fire.
C207 returned for the gruelling Acropolis Rally (June 2nd to 4th) where things got off to a bad start when Kankkunen and Piironen rolled the car while testing locally 48 hours prior to start. However, the Peugeot crew carried out a complete rebuild of C207 before the start and Kankunnen (the points leader going into the event) led from one third distance to win despite having to drive the last few stages without power steering.
Kankkunen and Piironen were back in C207 for Rally Argentina (August 6th to 9th) with the car running in the same gravel trim as it appeared in Greece. Kankkunen was the only threat to the Lancias but he retired on stage 15 after his rear wheel came loose and the Finn arrived back at parc ferme an hour after the permitted time.
C207’s next outing was the Sanremo Rally where the four Peugeots in attendance initially dished out quite a hiding to Lancia on their home soil. However, the 205s were controversially excluded after 32 of the 41 stages when the Italian scrutineers deemed intakes on the undersills to be generating ground effect which had been outlawed since the Tour de Corse. Peugeot immediately took legal action and after the season concluded the FIA decided to wipe the Sanremo results from the championship and Lancia were stripped of their victory.
Prior to that decision, the teams headed to the RAC Rally (November 16th to 19th) not knowing what the outcome of Peugeot’s court case would be.
The three 205s appeared in Sanremo gravel trim, albeit with revised exhaust systems to cope with strict British noise legislation. C207 was allocated to ‘85 champions Timo Salonen and Seppo Harjanne who had an epic battle with Markku Alen’s Lancia that saw the great rivals head into the final stage just a few seconds apart.
Ultimately it was Salonen that emerged victorious to take his second win of the year and C207 was retired from works duty.
Notable History
Peugeot Talbot Sport
Registered 25 FGV 75
18/01/1986 WRC Monte Carlo Rally (J. Kankkunen / J. Piironen) 5th oa, 5th Gr.B class (#4)
Registered 244 FWH 75
01/05/1986 WRC Tour de Corse (M. Mouton / F. Pons) DNF (#10)
Registered 319 FPF 75
02/06/1986 WRC Acropolis Rally (J. Kankkunen / J. Piironen) 1st oa, 1st B12 class (#5)
06/08/1986 WRC Rally of Argentina (J. Kankkunen / J. Piironen) DNF (#1)
13/10/1986 WRC Rallye Sanremo (J. Kankkunen / J. Piironen) DSQ (#4)
16/11/1986 WRC RAC Rally (T. Salonen / S. Harjanne) 1st oa, 1st B12 class (#1)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Peugeot - http://www.peugeot.com
