Ford RS200
Photo: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Vehicles · Rally Homologation
Ford RS200 · 1986
The Ford RS200 is a purpose-built Group B homologation special: a mid-engined, four-wheel-drive composite-bodied two-seater with a Cosworth BDT turbo four and a front-mounted transaxle for near-perfect balance. Ford built exactly 200 in 1986 to qualify it for rallying — the category was banned within months — leaving the RS200 a rare, short-lived icon that rarely surfaces at public auction.
The one to have: A genuine road-spec RS200 (of the 200 built) with documented history and matching Cosworth BDT; the 2.1-litre Evolution uprate is the halo. Plain white factory road cars with original composite bodywork and low use lead — provenance and an unbutchered spec matter more than colour on a car this rare.
Specification
Engine
1.8L turbo I4
1,803 cc Cosworth BDT DOHC 16v turbo, mid-mounted; Evolution enlarged to 2.1L BDT-E
Output
250 PS (road)
~250 PS road tune; competition 350–450+ PS, Evolution 550–600+ PS
Layout
Mid-engine 4WD
Composite (fibreglass/Kevlar) body, front-mounted gearbox/transaxle; ~1,180 kg
Built
200
Built 1986 at Reliant to homologate for Group B; roughly two dozen later uprated to Evolution spec
The market
Verified sales on file
4
Aug 2023 – Feb 2025
Median sale
$468k
all tracked results
★ Documented road-spec RS200
$616k
median of 2 target-spec sales
Top result
$617k
Iconic Auctioneers · Nov 2024
Benchmarks: road cars ~$250k–$400k · exceptional low-mile road cars to ~$450k · genuine Evolution cars $500k–$620k+ · Trend: firming; Group B blue-chip, Evolution cars set the ceiling
Know the real one
Built solely to homologate Ford's Group B rally car: exactly 200 examples, assembled by Reliant, most sold as detuned ~250 PS road cars — many stored new, so genuinely low-mileage cars exist.
Ghia-styled composite body over a steel/aluminium tub, mid engine and a distinctive forward-mounted transaxle driving all four wheels — the layout that made it fearsomely capable and fearsomely expensive to build (Ford reputedly lost money on every one).
The Evolution is the halo: around two dozen cars were rebuilt with the 2.1-litre BDT-E and uprated running gear for ~550–600+ PS — verify Evolution provenance carefully, as it multiplies value.
Because so few trade, condition and documentation dominate: original composite panels (crack-repaired bodywork is common), matching Cosworth BDT, and continuous history. Most survivors are RHD UK-market cars.
Verified sales · ★ = target spec · foreign results converted to USD as noted
| Date | Venue | Year | Spec | Miles | Price | Loc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | Iconic Auctioneers | 1986 | RS200 road car | — | $300,000 | — | NEC Classic Motor Show; GBP 236,250 (converted ~1.27 GBP/USD). Standard road spec |
| Nov 2024 | Iconic Auctioneers | 1986 | RS200 Evolution ★ | — | $617,000 | — | NEC Classic Motor Show; GBP 486,000 incl. premium (converted ~1.27 GBP/USD). Evolution spec |
| Nov 2023 | Iconic Auctioneers | 1986 | RS200 Tickford | — | $321,000 | — | Silverstone Festival; GBP 253,125 (converted ~1.27 GBP/USD). Tickford-upgraded road car |
| Aug 2023 | RM Sotheby's | 1986 | RS200 Evolution ★ | — | $615,500 | CA | Monterey; highest recorded RS200 result — the 2.1L Evolution uprate. Native USD |
Where to hunt
Classic.com — Ford RS200 marketAggregated sold prices and trend
Glenmarch — Ford RS200 resultsGlobal auction result database
Bring a Trailer — Ford RS200US listings (rare)
Research file — market data verified through July 18, 2026.
Sources: individually observed results via Classic.com feeds, BaT, Cars & Bids, Mecum, RM Sotheby's,
Broad Arrow, Gooding, Collecting Cars, PCARMARKET and venue coverage, plus marque registries and factory press material.