There is seemingly no limit to someone’s creativity if they wish to build a car that is otherwise unobtainable for mere mortals. We’ve seen it for generations, now, where various econoboxes are used to help someone get a little closer to owning a Ferrari or Lamborghini, and in some cases, they get pretty darn close. However, there are other instances where you may just have to wave the white flag and admit that, short of inventing the next great gadget or hitting the lottery, you will not own your dream car. The seller of this 1993 Toyota MR2 listed here on Facebook Marketplace has done his best to create a Ford RS200 replica, and the results are…intriguing.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Chuck Foster for sending this in. For a quick history lesson, the Ford RS200 is a darling of the wild Group B era, when two things happened: for one, it was a period of time when some of the most hair-raising and dangerous racing ever happened, but it was also a glorious moment when engineering and raw talent overruled the bean counters. Proving a platform’s capability in the legendary World Rally Championship (WRC) was on the mind of numerous manufacturers, many of which today rarely invest in factory racing programs. The other impact of Group B was the production of homologation cars, which were consumer-ready versions of the very cars racing in these events. The Ford RS200 featured a mid-engine design with all-wheel drive and spellbinding performance.
The handful of RS200s allocated for sale by Ford means the prices have always been well into the six-figure range when one of them hits the market, with the best examples hovering around $500,000. So, you can see why someone who loved the Group B era and had a mid-engined car sitting around might get some ideas in their head about how they could fashion a replica right in their own driveway. I will admit, the hood treatment could fool you with a quick glance, and buying that light pod was likely not cheap. However, it’s still a long way from convincing anyone it’s the real deal. As a naturally-aspirated 1993 model, the MR2 made around 130 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque in stock form.
At first, I thought the seller had managed to fit hood props to keep the front clamshell panel up, but we can see a broomstick is doing the work. This in and of itself is a significant milestone, as that front trunk cover has to be completely custom in order to accommodate the lights and to line up with the body. However, this is all said from the other side of the computer monitor, and I’m sure you’re going to find a lot of imperfections and even more bondo in places you never expected to find it up close. However, the seller may not be as crazy as we think as the MR2 has been used as the basis for RS200 conversions based on this website selling a complete kit. Perhaps, then, this is a project worth finishing, especially if you can simply buy all of the other body panels you’ll need. What do you think – should this project continue?
Just like in love. “There’s a lid for every pot.” I guess…
Being an ex-pro-rally guy and still a fan. I love it! But it is strictly a “poser” vehicle. I like MR2s but the suspension would require a complete make over to even Traverse even a very bumpy paved road not to mention a rally road at speed. And naturally, the engine is no where close to RS standards. If I bought it, I still would want to play offroad with it. Nice to look at and dream. But for me. It would be incredibly frustrating to own. Like my old rally car sitting in the garage and not having the time/place to play with it.
What’s the asking price, it’s not in the writeup? I’m not a Facebook member and I can’t open ads on my phone.
Steve R
$2850
Thank you Robert.
Steve R
Steve, it says 2,850, listed last Saturday. Not sure how the market place works.
I had my son look since I’m not a member either.
Thank you, there are some stretches of time where I can open links to Facebook, other times it won’t open. Right now they won’t open.
I’ve thought about joining, but know too many 50 years olds that are on it that complain/gossip about trivial things people we both know are doing that isn’t any of their business and act like they are in high school. I can only imagine how much worse it is elsewhere on the platform. My most sane/grounded friends avoid social media as much as possible.
Steve R
Seller’s description (from Facebook)
1993 Toyota mr2, 5speed 4cly MOTOR RUN GREAT, rwd , replica ford rs200 built on the Toyota , clean Va title , street legal , needs to be finished , Toyota underneath is a good running solid car , serious person only , if you don’t have the knowledge to finish it or the cash to buy it , please don’t waste anyone’s time ,
I’m with you Steve, being in my 50s…I wanna remember my friends the way they were. I feel Facebook would change my opinion of them…I’m being nice saying that. Blahahah
Well, he’s managed to capture the ugliest part of the RS200.
That’s one I haven’t heard before – someone wanting to
turn a Toyota into a Ford without driving one into the other.
Steve R, I was in the same boat as you staying away from all social media. I begrudgingly got a Facebook account a year or so ago for the express purpose of buying and selling items on it. My friends know I won’t “like” them. I have not friended a single person on it and it’s good for the classifieds.
Brian S, I’ve been thinking of doing the same. I’ve got a lot of parts to sell and know you can find some good deals on marketplace. I’d probably “friend” a few people that are drama free.
Steve R
At first, I thought this was a joke – something that someone mocked up with clay or plaster of paris for a Halloween parade or something. It certainly is scary enough.