Still on the classic rallying topic - what car?

Hmm I wonder...

Does it have to be obscure?

The RWD beasts of the 70's are tried and tested and you'll never have any problems with getting bits for them.

I'm thinking along the lines of escort / chevette / manta etc.

A bit more left field would be a Volvo Amazon of 144. There's plenty pf these used for this kind of stuff in Scandanavia.

Or how about FWD? I know they get slagged but a Nova would make sense.....

A not retro very opttion would be a daihatsu Mira thingy. 600cc, twin turbo and mental on the gravel. Drove one on the loose a few years back and it was seriously grin inducing!

Or if you wanted to stay RWD rear engined, surely there can only be one....the mighty SKODA ESTELLE!

You'd be amazed at how much you can get for an Imp if you join the Imp Club and know Impspeed, Malcolm Anerson etc's numbers. But if you want mainsteam then I'd say a Chevette maybe? Easy to find a donor shell in a scrappie I suppose, plenty you could do with the engine bay, brakes and suspension, and they're cool as hell too!

lmfao

Phase 1 Renault 5 would be fun. Or a Lancia Delta - could be done Integrale stylee (although I don't like the idea of all show and no go!).
A Skoda Estelle would be great - it won its class every year from 1977 or something, so they must be well suited! Get a Favorit engine in there and some rally-spec parts and hey presto!

WHen marshalling on the Astra Stages earlier this year (see pics in the gallery ;D), we marshalls were discussing this exact subject for most of the day... My favourite would be a Capri 3-litre - lots of power, cheap parts (mechanical ones anyway), strong, and sideways!

My number one choice would be a RWD Datsun Sunny (B310) from about 79-81. Cheap to buy, a light (850kg stock) RWD body with simple, rugged mechanics and a choice of easy engine upgrades. Easy to get bits for, especially bodywork parts and more importantly, a tried and tested rally car. A mate of mine rallied one for years with excellent results, often coming in the top 5 or 6 stage rallying against Imprezzas and the like. It's a bit different without being inconvenient as far as getting parts.

2nd choice, odd though it may sound is a 2.0L Nissan Silvia. Not so light but still RWD and very strong suspension which will handle any abuse you can throw at it, plus IRS. Easy to get parts for and again, especially body bits for when you stack it. 144bhp from the 2.0L FJ20E motor stock which IS a rally car engine and decent strong brakes even standard. Lots of easy upgrades. 2.0L ones are not common but once you have one you can use the common 1.8 turbo's as parts donors and they are cheap as and there's loads in scrapyards

I'd also consider a lada Riva or Skoda Estelle. Ford Escorts, while decent rally cars are just tooooo common and the parts aren't even that cheap for them. Vauxhall Chevette might be a good one or a RWD Vauxhall Camels ear. How about a Subaru Justy or 1800 (although most are estates these days)?