Despite dropping audience figures, the WRC undoubtedly carries with a truly astonishing visual aspect, carried almost at will through the medium of moving-image and photography. This left me thinking... what are the best looking Rally Cars of all time? Here's my conclusions:
Subaru Impreza WRC06
It wouldn't be a list of beautiful rally cars without a Subaru featuring at some point, so lets get it out of the way first (not that you'd want to hurry it out of the way of course). You'd struggle to find anyone unfamiliar with the iconic 555 branding sprawled across the Impreza rally car, and despite it's various editions and revisions, it goes without saying that the Blue and striking Yellow colour scheme speaks for itself. Undoubtedly, one of, if not the most famous race-liveries every to grace the sport.
Ford RS2000
Time to get it off of my chest... I absolutely adore the whole 'big engine small car' concept. Whether it's a tricked-out Saxo on an council estate in Leeds or a rally-prepared Ford RS2000 from yesteryear, I love the idea of a so-called pocket rocket. Of course, between the Saxo and the RS2000, I'd pick the latter, not only because of it's pedigree, but because of it's aggressive, yet simplistic styling. That stern rear-wing, those Mini-esque round head lamp, the short wheel base. All of which, complimented by the blue and white colour scheme representing Ford themselves. I like.
Lancia 037
Lancia were creators of some of the most jaw-dropping cars ever seen. The Delta, the Stratos, the Fulvia... all stunners in their own unique way. One of the rare ugly-ducklings was of course the 037, which wasn't even deserving of a proper name. Harsh. However, apply raised suspension, remove the rear bumper, insert two gigantic mud flaps along with a striking Martini livery, and the 037 all of a sudden can mix it with it's beautiful brothers. With the car baring it's intricate internals via the exposed rear, a fire-spitting 2-litre supercharged engine, and enough hair-raising video clips of it airborne, the 037 wasn't a 'car' as such. It was more of a purpose-built machine for going sideways, fast.
Ford Fiesta RS WRC (Monster World Rally team)
In the case of the Ford Fiesta RS, I find that it isn't the car itself that strikes me as being damn hot, but instead, the livery. More specifically, the livery of the 2012 Monster World Rally Team contender as piloted and made iconic by Mr.Sideways himself, Ken Block. The bonkers 'off the wall' design is a farcry from the often regimented and coordinated layout sprawled across many racing cars, many of which the Fiesta competes against. But then again, 'regimented' and 'coordinated' are hardly words you'd associate with Block's vocabulary...
Volkswagen Polo R WRC
This weekends Monte-Carlo Rally see's the debut of the long awaited Polo R on the rallying scene, with VW having spent all of 2012 developing and fine-tuning the car that they and lead driver Sebastian Ogier will hope, can land them title success at the first time of asking. The car in question, is an eye-catcher. A huge spoiler bold headlights, wide-wheel arches, and a whole lot of promise and pressure on the German cars, ermm, shoulders. Unlike the Fiesta RS, the Polo for me is much more concentrated on the car itself in terms of visual appeal, and not the the discreet and subtle simplistic Red Bull induced livery. A looker and a favourite, watch out in 2013, the Germans are coming.
Volkswagen Race-Touareg 2
Now to finish off with something a little bit out of a loop, I've gone for the Dakar Rally-prepared Volkswagen Touareg. By no means a 'pretty' car when seen on the M25, the Touareg was sensationally adapted to compete in the gruelling Dakar Rally from 2003 onwards, with much success. Just look at it. Wide and still regarded a fat, yet draped in a rally-overcoat that makes you look twice, at least. It reminds me of those im fat and have no dress sense but I want to look stunning yet still visit KFC daily programs really; still far from a peach, but striking and interesting to look at. When Desert Rallying, met Gok Wan.
Think I've overlooked something? Disagree with any of my choices? Leave comments below and I'll be sure to answer and debate!
In the case of the Ford Fiesta RS, I find that it isn't the car itself that strikes me as being damn hot, but instead, the livery. More specifically, the livery of the 2012 Monster World Rally Team contender as piloted and made iconic by Mr.Sideways himself, Ken Block. The bonkers 'off the wall' design is a farcry from the often regimented and coordinated layout sprawled across many racing cars, many of which the Fiesta competes against. But then again, 'regimented' and 'coordinated' are hardly words you'd associate with Block's vocabulary...
Volkswagen Polo R WRC
This weekends Monte-Carlo Rally see's the debut of the long awaited Polo R on the rallying scene, with VW having spent all of 2012 developing and fine-tuning the car that they and lead driver Sebastian Ogier will hope, can land them title success at the first time of asking. The car in question, is an eye-catcher. A huge spoiler bold headlights, wide-wheel arches, and a whole lot of promise and pressure on the German cars, ermm, shoulders. Unlike the Fiesta RS, the Polo for me is much more concentrated on the car itself in terms of visual appeal, and not the the discreet and subtle simplistic Red Bull induced livery. A looker and a favourite, watch out in 2013, the Germans are coming.
Volkswagen Race-Touareg 2
Now to finish off with something a little bit out of a loop, I've gone for the Dakar Rally-prepared Volkswagen Touareg. By no means a 'pretty' car when seen on the M25, the Touareg was sensationally adapted to compete in the gruelling Dakar Rally from 2003 onwards, with much success. Just look at it. Wide and still regarded a fat, yet draped in a rally-overcoat that makes you look twice, at least. It reminds me of those im fat and have no dress sense but I want to look stunning yet still visit KFC daily programs really; still far from a peach, but striking and interesting to look at. When Desert Rallying, met Gok Wan.
Think I've overlooked something? Disagree with any of my choices? Leave comments below and I'll be sure to answer and debate!
*Sorry for the somewhat random photo layout; struggling massively to format it all correctly!
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