This is a Ford RS200, and it could have been one of the greatest rally cars of all time. Unfortunately for Ford, who had invested millions in the project, the insane Group B class in which the RS200 was due to compete was terminated almost exactly as the car launched.

Needing at least some return on their investment Ford turned to European Rallycross, which still maintained an almost ‘anything goes’ approach to the rules. Alongside the other orphans from Group B, such as Audi’s S1 quattro and Rover’s monstrous Metro 6R4, Ford’s RS200 created a spectacular show.

Rallycross has since become a global phenomenon thanks largely to the X-Games and YouTube stars like Ken Block, with Ford currently dominating the sport in their 600bhp all-wheel-drive Fiesta, but this weird little racer is where it all began.

Only 200 road-going RS200s were ever built, but today MOCpages’ Heiko Ruutel has taken it to 201 with a stunning replica of the 1980s legend. Featuring working suspension, 4-cylinder engine, steering and fully opening bodywork Heiko’s RS200 recreation is a throughly excellent homage to the often forgotten original. There’s lots more to see at Heiko’s MOCpage – Click the link above and get sideways.