Historic Rally Cars Take Centre Stage at Race Retro 2014

Paddock42 headed to Coventry this weekend to take in the second motor sport show of 2014, Race Retro. A lot has changed for us since our last visit to Stoneleigh Park for RR ’13, we launched Paddock42 among other things! It also seems the boys at Race Retro have been very busy over the last year too as 2014 did not disappoint.

As always there was a fine contingent of historic and classic race cars but it was the historic rally cars that really stole the show, with Quattro’s and Escorts making a strong appearance. However it was all about group B and the 6R4. The legendary Metro 6R4 celebrates its 30th birthday this year, with its 6 cylinder, four-wheel drive train, this was the British answer to Group B rally in 1984. Sanctioned by Austin Rover Group who then commissioned Williams Grand Prix engineering to create the AR challenger for the spectacular Group B rally series.

The legendary Metro 6R4 celebrates its 30th birthday this year

These ‘little Metro’s’ were incredible ‘no holds barred’ monsters and with regulations only stating that at least two hundred examples of the model had to be built for homologation (common belief is far fewer were actually built and real numbers are unclear). Williams GP developed the motor; a rear mounted 400 bhp V6 version of the AR Group aluminium V8 engine, then hooked it up to a constant four-wheel drive transmission and bolted it into a tubular space frame. The finished bodywork resembled the humble Mini Metro seen frequenting many a UK high street – a real Grannies favourite at the time! Albeit with a little bit of ‘gym time’ added – these things were beefed up in all the right places.

The Metro 6R4 found its place in history and after the demise of Group B rallying the remaining stock of 6R4’s were slightly detuned (for the safety of those prepared to be strapped into one) from the from the original works specification and became a mainstay of British championship stage rallying for several more seasons. If you were fortunate enough to witness a 6R4 on full chat charging through a stage back in the day then you are one lucky individual.

Rally Car Race Retro.25

A fine selection of classic race cars were destined to go under the gavel

Silverstone Auctions had a fine selection of classic competition cars that were destined to go under the gavel, one of which is one of the most instantly recognisable historic rally cars, the Eddie Stobart liveried 1977 Ford Escort MK2 RS1800 Gp4 Historic Rally Car which was being offered with an estimate of £65,000 to £85,000. This car was built by leading specialists Prepfab Motorsport Engineering, and was tested by the late Colin McRae, then driven to victory by the rallying legend’s father, Jimmy McRae, in the 2006 Roger Albert Clark Rally. Following its debut season win, ‘LSV171’ continued taking victories throughout the following year including first place in the pre-1981 category of the 2007 British Historic Championship. The McRae connection continued in 2008 when the car was driven to another category victory by Alister McRae in the Colin McRae Memorial Rally. Rebuilt to show condition in 2009, it has since competed in the 2010 and 2011 Rally Clásico Isla Mallorca.

I had a poster of the Alitalia car on my bedroom wall… for years

So favourites of the show, all of them really, the stunning Rothmans 6R4 – paired with the Rothmans Quattro well that is quite a brace! At Paddock42we love a Lancia, and with very fond memories of being in the back of a Beta HPE Coupe when growing up they are definitely in the running. Stratos, sounds like 1980’s aftershave I know, but I had a poster of the Alitalia car on my bedroom wall… for years. Dressed in full GM Motorsport colours, the Manta looked well prepared and it is a car that you hardly see at all these days (Oliver Smith’s Manta will soon be gracing Paddock42 with its presence what this space). Interestingly I have heard of several super car drivers been properly shown a GTE’s rear end whilst taking in a lap of the Nurburg Ring much to their embarrassment based on what they had spent.

Overall a great show and we look forward to returning next year.

Classifieds Archive

£410000

£54000

POA

SOLD

SOLD

$1000000

$3000

POA

$399500

$115000

$25000

$17000