Watch Jay Leno Drive Tim Allen's 1986 Ford RS200 As They Talk Rally Cars

Known for his collection of hot rods and old-school muscle cars, Tim Allen is also a big rally fan.

Tim Allen's 1986 Ford RS200

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Mark Webb

By: Mark Webb

Aug 29, 2023 at 8:32pm ET

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The Ford RS200 was produced by Ford of Europe for Group B rally racing in the 1980s. It's a rare car with an interesting history that's not widely known in the US. Very few of the cars are known to reside in North America, but one recently made an appearance on Jay Leno's Garage.

Owned by comedian Tim Allen, the 1986 Ford RS200 is a little different from the hot rods and old-school muscle cars he's known to collect. However, Allen is a big fan of rally racing, partly because the cars go fast over any kind of terrain. He also likes the design of the car, which he thinks still looks contemporary.

Driving the RS200 is a different story. The 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Cosworth engine has a very narrow powerband, producing most of its 240 horsepower in a very narrow range. In addition to the lack of low-end power, Allen says it doesn't work well on the road. But get it off the pavement, and it really starts to shine. The all-wheel-drive system is adjustable, allowing the driver to dial power to the front or rear wheels.

Even so, Leno finds it a blast to drive on the street. Like many small-displacement engines with big turbos, it really comes alive above 5,000 rpm. Thanks to decent ground clearance and the rally suspension, it handles potholes and bumpy roads with ease.