Great British rally classics go under the hammer

There remains nothing like rallying as a motorsport discipline, man and machine against the elements for days on end, across the world and in every possible climate. It’s incomparable as a test of endurance, both for car and occupants, which is why such an aura still surrounds off-road racing – especially those rallies that last for many weeks and many thousands of kilometres. Today those super enduros are fewer and further between, or tend to be run as charity events, though once upon a time these great globe trotting epics were the perfect events for manufacturers to show off the durability of their new cars. It’s that legendary pre-WRC era of rallying, where something like London to Sydney was an actual event, that these three fantastic cars celebrate. 

To be sold through PistonHeads auctions next week, the Ford Cortina, Triumph 2000 and Morris 1800 all hark back to a time of continent-crushing competition. Though offered from the same vendor, they are three separate lots – be nice to keep them altogether though, wouldn’t it?

Perhaps the most intriguing of all is the Morris 1800 S Mk2, the car affectionately referred to as the Landcrab thanks to the distinctive shape, because it’s a proper period rally car. Having scored a second place in the 1968 London-Sydney rally, demonstrating to the world what a tough little cookie the hydrolastically-suspended 1800s was, Morris kept at it. This one ran in the 1970 London-Mexico rally, driven by three police officers funnily enough, and made it as far as Sao Paulo (the route taking in Europe and South America) before retiring. And that can’t be said for every old rally car that comes up for sale. Having lived a fairly quiet life since then – there’s record of a Pirelli Classic Marathon, but little else – the Morris survives in fantastically original condition. It’s easy to imagine an afternoon just poring over the stickers and the history. It’ll probably require a bit of updating for someone who wishes to continue its competition career, or it’d surely make for a cool old classic road car with its high compression head and rorty exhaust. 

The Cortina that’s also offered up from the same collection pays homage to the Ford driven by Roger Albert Clark and Ove Andersson on the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon. Though they finished behind that second-placed Landcrab, a top ten ranking was a fine achievement, not least because they had to deal with a busted diff and piston failure. This tribute car, completed 15 years ago, has also enjoyed its own enduro rally story, competing in the Road to Mandalay rally in 2014. Thousands was spent converting it to rally specification, both mechanically and cosmetically: the Cortina has a long distance foam fuel tank, alloy sump, polypropylene bushes, a beefier radiator, and a bull bar with the correct amount of lights affixed – that correct amount, of course, being loads. The seller says that the clutch is new and the engine was rebuilt as part of its conversion, too, so it ought to be ready for whatever adventure lies ahead. 

Finally, the Triumph. Out of all the crazy stories associated with this era of globe-trotting escapades, that of the Triumph 2500 is perhaps the strangest. See the London-Mexico rally mentioned earlier was actually, to give the event its full name, the 1970 London-Mexico Daily Mirror World Cup Rally. Because of course it was. But what an opportunity for the British manufacturers, heading to the host country of the next football World Cup with England as the 1966 winners and with new cars to show off. Triumph did brilliantly, finishing second and fourth overall with a pair of 2500s; bear in mind that just 23 cars finished of the 96 entrants and it’s an even greater achievement. But both cars that entered were destroyed by Triumph. A crazy decision. So there’s no hope of ever getting hold of one of those, but the next best thing doesn’t look half bad…

This recreation of one of the 1970 cars has been built from a 1971 2000, albeit now with a 2.6-litre straight six providing the power. And however unlikely the old Triumph might seem as a rally car in a modern context, it’s been kitted out with all the goodies for classic competition, including rally-spec jacking points, reinforced sills, extra ventilation scoops, stronger suspension and a bonnet that can carry three spare wheels. So perhaps the perfect classic road car for British roads, in fact. 

Additionally, the interior features bucket seats, harnesses, map lights, an altimeter, an extinguisher and a roll cage – this was no mere cosmetic exercise. And while it might require some refreshing for those that want to drive the Triumph in anger going forward, it’s evident that a lot of effort was invested in making the 2000 a racer for all conditions. Alternatively, as with all these cars, it could live a life purely on the tarmac as a rare old classic with a fascinating backstory. 

All have their merits, clearly, and would surely make fine additions to any collection, be that of rally cars or seldom seen British heroes. The auctions kick off for the Morris, Ford and Triumph on Wednesday, 24th July – we’ll be watching with interest. Best keep that bidding finger busy if you’re after all three…