Who loves the old 1988 - 1990 Touring Cars? Specifically... the RS500s?
#1
Who loves the old 1988 - 1990 Touring Cars? Specifically... the RS500s?
We were recently chosen by a long-standing customer to undertake the recommissioning of his Gp.A Sierra RS500.
The car was originally built by Andy Rouse Engineering in 1988 and was driven in the iconic Kaliber livery by Andy himself to first place in 10 of the 11 scoring rounds of the BTCC that year, making it the most successful RS500 Andy drove (and arguably ever built).
The car was then sold to legendary Australian touring car driver Peter Brock where it was transformed into the Mobil livery that remains on the car today. Brocky drove the car himself throughout the 1989 ATCC, with it also being shared with Andrew Miedecke and Brad Jones for the 1989 endurance events. Brocky drove the car for the last time at the 1990 season finale Adelaide GP support race before it was stored for many years and subsequently sold.
Critically, this car retains its original Andy Rouse Engineering engine that was fitted to it in period, making it one of the very few Gp.A RS500s around today having its original engine fitted.
The work undertaken by us involved a full workshop assessment, defect rectification and setup, followed by live ECU calibration on our Dyno Dynamics rolling road.
The car will not be raced, so the target was not the in-period 560+bhp, but to achieve good power whilst running sensible boost to preserve this historic engine and maximise usability and reliability…
Pictures of this amazing piece of motorsport history will follow in the comments.
The car was originally built by Andy Rouse Engineering in 1988 and was driven in the iconic Kaliber livery by Andy himself to first place in 10 of the 11 scoring rounds of the BTCC that year, making it the most successful RS500 Andy drove (and arguably ever built).
The car was then sold to legendary Australian touring car driver Peter Brock where it was transformed into the Mobil livery that remains on the car today. Brocky drove the car himself throughout the 1989 ATCC, with it also being shared with Andrew Miedecke and Brad Jones for the 1989 endurance events. Brocky drove the car for the last time at the 1990 season finale Adelaide GP support race before it was stored for many years and subsequently sold.
Critically, this car retains its original Andy Rouse Engineering engine that was fitted to it in period, making it one of the very few Gp.A RS500s around today having its original engine fitted.
The work undertaken by us involved a full workshop assessment, defect rectification and setup, followed by live ECU calibration on our Dyno Dynamics rolling road.
The car will not be raced, so the target was not the in-period 560+bhp, but to achieve good power whilst running sensible boost to preserve this historic engine and maximise usability and reliability…
Pictures of this amazing piece of motorsport history will follow in the comments.
Last edited by Stu @ M Developments; 28-06-2018 at 11:51 AM.
The following users liked this post:
STeve (28-06-2018)
#3
Its some car...
Her history really seems to increase your interest in the car, I guess due to so many years of watching this very car dominate the touring car championship.
She is without a doubt the only car to ever truly get under my skin and make me want to go and buy another one.
I actually said goodnight to the damn thing one evening, and took this pic of her after a hard days boost!
Her history really seems to increase your interest in the car, I guess due to so many years of watching this very car dominate the touring car championship.
She is without a doubt the only car to ever truly get under my skin and make me want to go and buy another one.
I actually said goodnight to the damn thing one evening, and took this pic of her after a hard days boost!
Last edited by Stu @ M Developments; 28-06-2018 at 12:06 PM.
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STeve (28-06-2018)
#5
PassionFord Post Troll
Looks awesome and sounds mega on the dyno, does it have air intakes at both sides of the car judging by the hose going both ways?
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#8
PassionFord Post Troll
Awesome
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Glenn_ (29-06-2018)
#10
10K+ Poster!!
Looks lovely and I like it in the Kaliber colours as I remember that. Would it be worth more in that livery?
#12
Advanced PassionFord User
I can't think of anything I'd rather watch or listen to than a group A rs500 and coupled with there legendary history makes them something seriously special in my eyes. Unfortunately I will never own a genuine car but have the next best thing. Thank you for posting Stu
#13
PassionFord Post Whore!!
The days of the Bathurst battles between The RS500s, Holden Commodores, Nissan Skylines etc was the most exciting its ever been.The 05 was the drink/drive limit in Australia and at that time the racing teams were doing their bit to encourage drivers to stick to the limit.
Last edited by cossynut2; 28-06-2018 at 09:28 PM.
#14
Advanced PassionFord User
Best cars for me of all time, so miss seeing them on tv back in the day with Murray Walker commentating. Thanks for sharing.
#15
#16
**RS COSWORTH**
That looks and sounds awesome the history behide it makes it a very special car.
Why is there a blow up doll in the work shop
Why is there a blow up doll in the work shop
#18
If you look at that blue intake you will notice some black duct tape, that is holding on the foam filter - it runs the length of teh front and an extra section to the left hand side.
I have no idea. The owner may pop on here and let us know at some point.
I wouldnt like to say. Brocky was a legend in his own right, he actually got a state funeral!!
Exhaust gas Temperature monitor.
I am the same. Absolutely love them and technically, can probably thank them for my career as I cut my teeth on the Cosworths back in the late 90s because kenny and I owned them, and probably only did so due to the success of the Touring cars.
The days of the Bathurst battles between The RS500s, Holden Commodores, Nissan Skylines etc was the most exciting its ever been.The 05 was the drink/drive limit in Australia and at that time the racing teams were doing their bit to encourage drivers to stick to the limit.
I didnt know that. thanks.
Absolutely as it was last raced by Brocky.
Nothing added or removed.
Imagine what these cars could have done had EFR's been around? LOL
Long story... We call it Boycey...
#20
10K+ Poster!!
Awesome car, sounds epic on the dyno.
#22
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (11)
Great peice of history Stu. I have the 1988 BTCC series on dvd Rouse Kaliber livery and the Bathurst 1000 1990 I think when it was in it's current Mobil livery driven by Brocky of course.Touring cars are nothing like the days of the 500 it's just gone backwards nowadays, nothing like the excitment of the late 80's, a very special time for Ford.I don't think you will ever see anything like the that ever again.Makes you appreciate it all the more now looking back.
They were the days Stu, just makes you want more..lol.
CheeRS.Lee.
They were the days Stu, just makes you want more..lol.
CheeRS.Lee.
#24
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Great peice of history Stu. I have the 1988 BTCC series on dvd Rouse Kaliber livery and the Bathurst 1000 1990 I think when it was in it's current Mobil livery driven by Brocky of course.Touring cars are nothing like the days of the 500 it's just gone backwards nowadays, nothing like the excitment of the late 80's, a very special time for Ford.I don't think you will ever see anything like the that ever again.Makes you appreciate it all the more now looking back.
They were the days Stu, just makes you want more..lol.
CheeRS.Lee.
They were the days Stu, just makes you want more..lol.
CheeRS.Lee.
#28
VR46 The G.O.A.T
Didn't the rules change which effectively killed off the RS500's and the M3's? I thought in the early 90's the BTCC went to 2ltr normally aspirated engines?
Just out of interest what's the engine rules these days and what sort of bhp are the latest cars running? Don't follow it any more so wouldn't know.
Just out of interest what's the engine rules these days and what sort of bhp are the latest cars running? Don't follow it any more so wouldn't know.
#29
Advanced PassionFord User
#30
Live long and prosper!!
iTrader: (1)
Didn't the rules change which effectively killed off the RS500's and the M3's? I thought in the early 90's the BTCC went to 2ltr normally aspirated engines?
Just out of interest what's the engine rules these days and what sort of bhp are the latest cars running? Don't follow it any more so wouldn't know.
Just out of interest what's the engine rules these days and what sort of bhp are the latest cars running? Don't follow it any more so wouldn't know.
#31
Glennvestite
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Weren't bmws in a different class/group from the RS500s.
I heard that the RS500s had wider rear tyres at one point and they got fined or some shit like that.
#35
- Returned to the 1989 specification in terms of transmission, so out with the Harrop back end and BRT driveshafts and back in with the "Eggenberger" style 7.5" diff and driveshafts.
- Replacement decals added where some were removed as per the regs when she was raced in NZ for a few rounds. (These decals are pretty crap and will be replaced by proper ones when time allows).
- New side-exit exhaust fitted - Almost identical replica of the BRT unit fitted in 1989.
- Car was run in the UK a few times with non-original engine. Original, 1989 stamped ARE engine now back in the car which is what was being setup my Stu and the MSD guys.
- Safety stuff has been updated of course as it had all expired (extinguisher, seat and harness).
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#36
Advanced PassionFord User
I think the 500s were group A if i remember correctly.
#37
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (2)
No restoration done here, she's very original. The following things have changed since leaving BRT / Advantage:
- Returned to the 1989 specification in terms of transmission, so out with the Harrop back end and BRT driveshafts and back in with the "Eggenberger" style 7.5" diff and driveshafts.
- Replacement decals added where some were removed as per the regs when she was raced in NZ for a few rounds. (These decals are pretty crap and will be replaced by proper ones when time allows).
- New side-exit exhaust fitted - Almost identical replica of the BRT unit fitted in 1989.
- Car was run in the UK a few times with non-original engine. Original, 1989 stamped ARE engine now back in the car which is what was being setup my Stu and the MSD guys.
- Safety stuff has been updated of course as it had all expired (extinguisher, seat and harness).
- Returned to the 1989 specification in terms of transmission, so out with the Harrop back end and BRT driveshafts and back in with the "Eggenberger" style 7.5" diff and driveshafts.
- Replacement decals added where some were removed as per the regs when she was raced in NZ for a few rounds. (These decals are pretty crap and will be replaced by proper ones when time allows).
- New side-exit exhaust fitted - Almost identical replica of the BRT unit fitted in 1989.
- Car was run in the UK a few times with non-original engine. Original, 1989 stamped ARE engine now back in the car which is what was being setup my Stu and the MSD guys.
- Safety stuff has been updated of course as it had all expired (extinguisher, seat and harness).
Out of interest; so the engine original engine was always with the car, or did it have to be tracked down? And why was it run in the UK without it?
#38
Advanced PassionFord User
What a great post, thanks for sharing it. I used to go to a "few" BTCC races back in the day, and always wanted to look over Andy's cars, and have a long chat with him, but he seems to no longer be a part of the spot light, still an epic car, and some lovely memories, thank you.
#39