This seemed to make sense as in May 2005 I was sent an image from (JC) clearly showing the index C440BHV crashed and the sender states the image was taken at the crash on Portugal Rally of 1986 so that seems to firm up my initial thoughts but then (JC) then sent me some other images of what we think is #072 seen at Oporto Classic Show in October 2004 bearing the index JV-99-80.
As if this wasn't confusing enough, I was sent an image of a car being the plate QR-25-52 which they also claimed was #072 - Confused
Then I had one more email to try and clear this up, "I can tell you that the RS200 Chassis 072 Diabolique is alive and well here in Portugal. The car is usually seen at the biggest motorshow & classic car shows in Oporto. Unfortunately it has never been used in demonstration runs and I'm sure it hasn't seen almost any use since 1986. The car is pristine and in excellent condition. Last year, the extinct Diabolique Motorsport team was reunited for the first time in years, and there was a demonstration run with a couple of genuine Escorts Gr.4 '' Diabolique '' driven by Joaquim Santos. Although the team has ceased activity in 1992, the team owner still has all the cars ! I'm sending a photo of the RS200 road car that is part of the collection of the ''Diabolique Motorsport'' team owner. I don't have any more information about this car except that it has a 1986 license plate."
In October 2009 (FS) sent me a link to a nice image of 072 http://www.brand-advise.com/diabolique/index/20.htm
Then, the team manager got in contact and explained it all !
"The Portuguese Diabolica Team bought prototype 006 and car 072 from Ford as a spare. 006 was comprehensively written off fair early in it’s rally life. The mechanicals were then transferred to 072 which then went on to have another accident as shown in your picture in which a spectator was killed. The car was then rebuilt using another shell from Ford and upgraded to Evo specifications based upon parts supplied by Ford. This car is now fully restored and lives in Portugal. Chassis 6 had 2 big accidents. The first one that killed all that people, and a second one , that destroyed the shell. It was being replaced at Reliant when Gb.B was banned, so we decided to put a road look, but with all rally mechanics under the body. So it looks like a road car but it's a proper rally car It has 272 Kms on the clock."
"The picture of the crash, it from the second one. As you may see it's in real poor condition. In that rally we put the plates of chassis 72, as chassis 6 was being transferred to Portuguese plates, so it was not allowed to be on the road meanwhile."
He then went on to send me images of the registrations documents for both cars along with Ford documents from the time so, whilst we thought the crash was of 072 it was 006 bearing 072's plates as 072 was off the road already.
So, story explained !
If you find out anything else about this car please drop me an email and I'll update the cars entry !
justin.smith@rs200.org
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