VIN: the works Peugeot 205 T16 Evolution 2 chassis C208
History of chassis C208
Chassis C208 was one of 20 T16s built to Evolution 2 specification, all of which were reserved for use by the works team: Peugeot Talbot Sport (PTS).
C208 made its debut in the opening round of the 1986 World Championship: the Monte Carlo Rally (January 18th to 24th). It was allocated to Bruno Saby and his co-driver, Jean-Francois Fauchille. PTS took a trio of Evolution 2s to the event (with sister cars for Salonen / Harjanne and Kankunnen / Piironen). They were equipped with tarmac suspension, 450bhp engines and new underbody aerodynamics to increase downforce.
Rain before the event led to unpredictable conditions and the Michelin runners (such as Peugeot) couldn’t keep up with those on Pirelli’s latest compounds.
Tyre mix ups were the story of the event for most of the front runners, but as conditions improved, so did Peugeot’s fortunes and the T16s charged back up the leader board.
Salonen couldn’t match Henri Toivonen in the Delta S4, but he did take second (finishing just over four minutes behind). Kankkunen placed fifth after suffering engine and fuel feed problems. Saby was sixth; C208 had required a new gearbox mid way through the event and also needed its back end rebuilt after a crash.
PTS then used the three week gap before the next event to try and address some of the niggling reliability issues that had so far afflicted the Evolution 2.
Two cars were subsequently on hand for Round 2: the Swedish Rally (February 14th to 16th). C208 was allocated to Juha Kankkunen / Juha Piironen and C209 to Timo Salonen / Seppo Harjanne. Both cars weighed in at 1000kg and ran 450bhp engines.
Salonen set the early pace, but having won the first six stages, his engine expired when the oil pressure dropped and a brief fire put him out of the event. Thereafter, fastest stage times were traded between Kankunnen in C208 plus Lancia drivers Toivonen and Alen along with Grundel in the brand new Ford RS200.
Having overhauled Toivonen to take the lead, Kankunnen then set about building a big gap with C208. The Finn led the entire second half of the event to secure his first WRC win for Peugeot.
C208’s final outing came at round three of the 1986 season, Rally Portugal (March 5th to 8th), which was a mix of gravel and tarmac.
For this event, the Evolution 2s ran with 460bhp and weight was reduced to 970kg. 16-inch wheels were used and PTS adopted the Tour de Corse spec. for the opening tarmac sections. They then raised the ride height for the gravel stages.
Two cars were entered: C208 for Kankkunen / Piironen and C210 for Salonen / Harjanne.
Crowd control in Portugal had often been worryingly slack with the organisers deaf to suggestions that may have improved safety. Trouble began early on when Salonen hit a cameraman on the second bend of stage one. However, worse was to come as the nightmare accident that had been predicted for so long finally occurred.
On stage three, the Ford RS200 of Portuguese privateer, Joaquim Santos, span off into the huge crowd killing three children and a woman and leaving a further 32 seriously injured.
All the major manufacturers withdrew their cars from the event.
C208 was subsequently retired from competition duty.
Notable History
Peugeot Talbot Sport
Registered 26 FHV 75
18/01/1986 WRC Monte Carlo Rally (B. Saby / J.F. Fauchille) 6th oa, 6th Gr.B class (#8)
21/02/1986 WRC Swedish Rally (J. Kankkunen / J. Piironen) 1st oa, 1st Gr.B class (#4)
Registered 319 FPF 75
05/03/1986 WRC Rally Portugal (J. Kankkunen / J. Piironen) Withdrawn (#7)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Peugeot - http://www.peugeot.com
