Group B specials for auction at Pebble Beach

Four of the greatest Group B homologations to grace the streets (or not, in some cases) are set to find new owners at the prestigious Bonhams Pebble Beach auction.

As siblings to some of the wildest rally cars ever conceived, these rare cars have found themselves becoming ever more valuable in a market that seeks low numbers, and low mileage.

That does also mean that these cars have likely never seen their full potential utilised.

This can certainly be said about the first and rarest of the four cars, a 1986 Ford RS 200 Evolution.

As one of only 24 built, the RS200 Evo was originally part of a run of 200 homologation cars required to permit the rallying version to race. Ford later turned 24 of those 200 into the ‘Evolution’ versions.

The road-going monster is arguably the most impressive Ford ever, depending on your preference for the GT40. With upwards of 400kW and a reported 0-100km/h time of less than three seconds, the Evo was a true giant killer.

This one, however, has not run for over a decade and probably hasn’t even been taken for a lively tootle along a country road. Still, at least it hasn’t been put sideways into a haystack on someone’s driveway.

That’s not something you’d want to do to this offering, which Bonhams estimates will sell for $640,000-$760,000AUD.

Next in the auction is the legendary Audi Sport Quattro S1, which isn’t quite as valuable as the RS200 at an estimated $570,000-$700,000.

We have, however, seen a Quattro with an auction estimate of up to AU$522,000 in the past.

Not as rare as the RS200 Evo, the ’85 Quattro is one of 200 units, though this one-owner example will appeal to auction-goers. As will the signature on the steering wheel. W. Rohrl was here.

With 18,388km on the odometer (as per the auction photos), we’d hope this car has at least granted its owner some enjoyment in fulfilling its purpose.

Similarly, a 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale with less than 10,000km on the clock has likely given its one owner a few enjoyable drives, with a turbocharged and supercharged 1.8-litre putting out a modest 184kW in road-guise.

As a rally car, the Stradale would pump out over 360kW, and could get its 890kg mass flying.

This one’s estimated to sell for anywhere between $450,000-$570,000AUD.

Lastly, the increasingly valuable Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, or T16 if you like, with 1,113km on the clock and the same owner for the last 20 years is likely to pick up an impressive $300K+ earning.

With ‘regular’ 205 GTis now fetching massive money all things considered, the T16 should have no trouble reaching its auction estimate.

When the auction gets underway on August 18th, don’t be surprised if this car makes more money than a few of the Ferraris and Porsches it’ll be flanked by.