Success in the top flight of rallying is expensive and maddeningly elusive for manufacturers, usually coming only as the planets align and the perfect combination of driver, technological advancement and favourable regulations allow the best to flourish. But for every Audi quattro, Subaru Impreza or Alpine-Renault A110, there are models that failed to impress on the stages. Some arrived too late to the party, otherwise promising machines that became the victim of rapidly changing rules. Others were pressed into action through necessity, at a technological disadvantage that was never going to be overcome. And then there are those that were just plain rubbish. Join us on a journey through 10 of the most ill-conceived and ill-fated rally cars of the past half a century.
1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII
Domination of international rallying usually comes in waves, and following Toyota's early '90s reign it was Mitsubishi and Finnish star Tommi Mäkinen's time to shine punctuated by Colin McRae's title in 1995. The Lancer Evo delivered the Japanese firm's run of four titles from 1996-'99, each year bringing another version to conquer the stages. So when, in 2001, Mitsubishi was forced to move to WRC (rather than Group A) regulations, most pundits predicted that the latest Evolution VII would brush aside all-comers - but it wasn't to be. Despite sharing its powertrain with the outgoing car, and benefiting from 300bhp, the new machine was a disaster.
Esta historia es de la edición June 2022 de Classic & Sports Car.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 2022 de Classic & Sports Car.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison