1977 Chrysler Sunbeam Ti Group A Rally Car
The Talbot Sunbeam Ti registered YSG 980S was the first rally car owned by Colin McRae, purchased for £850 after he sold his autotest Mini. McRae used it to compete in the 1985–86 Scottish Rally Championship, beginning a career that would eventually yield the 1995 World Rally Championship drivers' title. The car was later meticulously restored to its 1986 Group A specification by the McRae family mechanic who originally built it, and subsequently became part of the family's personal collection. It was immortalised in miniature form by both Corgi and Scalextric-Passion, and is offered here directly from the McRae family for the first time.
Ownership
- 2023-08-25Auction saleSold £80,000 (≈ $100K)
- 1985 →Private saleColin McRaepartial documentation
McRae purchased the car for £850 following the sale of his autotest Mini and used it to contest the Scottish Rally Championship. The car remained a personal favourite and was retained within the family after his death.
Competition
- 1985-12-01Scottish Rally ChampionshipGalloway Hills RallyDriver: Colin McRaeDNF — collision with tree
The car's first competitive outing ended early after contact with a tree.
- 1986Scottish Rally ChampionshipSnowman RallyDriver: Colin McRae
First round of the 1986 Group A Scottish Rally Championship; co-driven by Ian Grindrod.
- 1986Scottish Rally Championship1986 Scottish Rally ChampionshipDriver: Colin McRae18th in Championship
Co-driven variously by Ian Grindrod and Nick Jack; McRae entered seven additional rounds after the Snowman Rally, finishing six of them, and received the Jaggy Bunnett Flying Brick award for being the season's most determined competitor.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1985Repair
Following accident damage sustained at the Galloway Hills Rally, the bodyshell was repaired over the winter of 1985–86.
Work carried out to prepare the car for the 1986 Scottish Rally Championship season.
- 1985Mechanical
A replacement engine was fitted and the car was generally prepared to Group A specification for the 1986 season.
Performed concurrently with the bodyshell repairs over the winter of 1985–86; Barry Lochhead was involved in the original build.
- —RestorationBarry Lochhead
A comprehensive rebuild was carried out in the early 2000s, transferring the car into a new shell while faithfully replicating the original 1986 Group A configuration in every detail.
Work was overseen by the McRae family mechanic who had built the car originally alongside Colin, ensuring the car retained its authentic Group A identity.
- —InspectionBGM Sport
The car was examined and assessed by Ian Gwynne of BGM Sport in Brackley ahead of the auction.
Car confirmed to run well but noted as not event-prepared; safety equipment including seats, harnesses, and fire suppression are no longer compliant with current regulations.
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