12 best vintage rally cars from € 5,000

5 categories in the rally car ranking

What actually makes a good rally Car off? And - more importantly - is there THE perfect rally car? The Motor Klassik editors discuss this question again and again at the start of the season, but this time with consequences: Twelve proven models had to compete in order to prove their ultimate rally talent, taking five categories into account.

The result - a surprise. Or maybe not in the end? For a better understanding, briefly in advance about the categories in which ten points were awarded: A good rally car should be easy to drive and control as easy as possible even in critical situations, and it should have a sporty 'basic character' ('driving behavior') . Its technical basis should also be able to keep up a corresponding journey without having to work in every break (“reliability”).

With sheet metal damage and /or technical problems, one has to during a Unfortunately, rallies always count, so it is better to leave an exotic car with a difficult supply of parts in the garage ('Spare parts /service'), especially at demanding events like the Winter Trail. If you like it really sporty, you might want to optimize your car in terms of performance and chassis. Certain models are also more suitable for this than others ('tuning'). Finally, on the price: Why necessarily expensive when there is also a cheaper option (“price”)? Exactly.

12th place: Citroën DS 19 - the glider among the racers

Keyword hydropneumatics: In the 1960s, the rally drivers probably didn't even have the cozy interior of the Citroën DS noticed what kind of slopes they were driving their car on and that's why they were so fast. On the snow-covered routes of the Monte Carlo Rally, the advantages of front-wheel drive also came into play, and in the sum of its properties a DS was clearly one of the winners on the international rally scene. And today? Today we nag a little from the point of view of a sports driver at what feels like a very long timeWheelbase or the top-heaviness of a DS, especially around tight bends, appreciate the car with its cozy four-cylinder much more as a glider than as a racer.

The 'goddess' is always sure to make a strong performance, especially when she is in the contemporary rally look comes around the corner. Their technology is better than their reputation, but the hydraulic system requires intensive maintenance. Rally-ambitious DS drivers must never forget that sheet metal repairs can be time-consuming and that many body parts are unfortunately now hardly available. A Citroën DS cannot be made that much faster - you should take it as it is: as a character actress.

Citroën DS: 2.0-liter four-cylinder, performance : 84 HP, weight: 1,270 kg, top speed: 165 km /h, construction period: 1955–1975, price in good condition: 25,000 euros (DS 19).

Rating Citroën DS

Driving behavior: 6
Reliability: 6
Spare parts /service: 7
Tuning: 4
Price: 6
Overall: 29 - 12th place

11th place: Lancia Fulvia - playful handling and sophisticated technology

Unforgettable, Sandro Munari's 72 Monte victory - so to speak the final accolade for the Fulvia, with which Lancia competed in the factory rally world championship for four years from 1969. So it is hardly surprising that this model is an indispensable part of historic motorsport today, which - in addition to the attractive shape and glorious history - is primarily due to the playful handling.

On tracks with tight curves A Lancia Fulvia is the most fun, where it conceals its front-wheel drive and its comparatively low output of only 89 hp. Despite its idiosyncratic (but very manageable) technology, a well-maintained Fulvia is a reliable rally car even for tough winter use. Spare parts just in case? Hardly a problem, almost everything is available at relatively moderate prices, and most of it can be repaired relatively quickly.

On top of that, there is no shortage of accessories suitable for rallies for the Lancia Fulvia, only the performance yield of the 1st , 3-liter V4 unit from which not much more than the standard 89 hp can be extracted. But because this car only weighs 960 kilos, what is offered is completely sufficient - for italophile rally beginners with a manageable budget, this is probably the best choice to get the first trophies.

Lancia Fulvia : 1.3-liter V4, power: 89 hp, weight: 960 kg, top speed: 165 km /h, construction period: 1965–1976, price in good condition: 12,000 euros.

Evaluation Lancia Fulvia

Driving behavior: 8
Reliability:7
Spare parts /service: 9
Tuning: 5
Price: 8
Overall: 37 - 11th place

10th place MGB - the shirt-sleeved endurance runner

He does not have any starry airs. And because he is so frugal and hardly too good for anything, he is regularly used in winter rallies such as Le Jog in his home country England. The fact that the MGB is lying on the road like the proverbial board and is not even afraid of tight curves despite its rather old chassis construction should have got around by now.

However, you need a lot of power on the steering wheel, and that's another thing with comfort: there is practically none. The 95 hp engine is considered to be a tough endurance runner, which is only to be blamed in the rarest of cases for an MGB unintentionally parking on the side of the road.

If at all, the electrics play a trick on you, but Thanks to a large specialist scene, the car can be prepared almost optimally for any kind of rally use. This also includes tuning options that elicit additional horsepower from the four-cylinder. Spare Parts? Everything is available without any problems and, on top of that, quite cheaply. You can't really go wrong with an MGB - neither as a beginner nor as an old hand.

MGB : 1.8-liter four-cylinder, power: 95 hp, weight: 921 kg, top speed: 169km /h, construction time: 1963–1981, price in good condition: 13,000 euros.

Rating MGB

Driving behavior: 7
Reliability: 7
Spare parts /service: 10
Tuning: 7
Price: 7
Overall: 38 - 10th place

9th place: Mini - popular figure with kart - Chassis

It has long since proven that the Mini can do sport. Four Monte victories from 1964 to 1967 are a real announcement to all competitors, whom he regularly drives up and away with his kart-like handling, especially in narrow mountain passages. This playful controllability at least temporarily overlooks the fact that the crew has to get by without space and comfort, but at least the latter should not be blamed on a rally car - after all, there is something good about the road conditions as the driver is informed.

In the reliability discipline, however, this dwarf is not exactly one of the best in class, so only good preparation helps. Like their MGB colleagues, mini-pilots benefit from a lively scene and an almost inexhaustible optimization catalog as well as a very well-stocked spare parts trade with moderate prices. Most of the work can also be done on your own. The 1000 from 1984 is too weak with its 41 hp? Depending on the effort and budget, various tuning kits can easily provide 10 to a maximum of 40 additional hprealizable.

Mini : 1.0 liter four-cylinder, power: 41 hp, weight: 680 kg, top speed: 145 km /h, construction period: 1984–1991, price in good condition: 10,000 euros.

Evaluation Mini

Driving behavior: 8
Reliability: 6
Spare parts /service: 9
Tuning: 6
Price: 9
Overall: 38 - 10th place

8th place Volvo Amazon - reliable Swedish tank

A car like a castle - Volvo Amazon drivers particularly appreciate the feeling of absolute security, when you take part in a Scandinavian winter rally with your car. But the model has long been part of the “particularly popular everyday entry-level classic” south of Sweden. The driving behavior does not leave any doubt for a second that, strictly speaking, a construction from the 1950s is being used here, which primarily impresses with its good-naturedness.

The technology? Unspectacular, of course. But robust and reliable, which is particularly true for the 1800 models (from 1961, 68 to 96 hp) and the later two-liter version with 103 hp (from 1968). This Volvo Amazon variant is best suited for rally operations anyway because it already has disc brakes at the front and a four-speed gearbox with overdrive.

At Amazon, too, numerous specialists take care of this car for to optimize a rally use on the engine and chassis. Up to 130 hp can be achieved without compromising reliability. Also not entirely unimportant for a potential rally vehicle: the supply of parts is considered stable with few restrictions - and at still acceptable prices.

Volvo Amazon: 2.0-liter Four-cylinder, power: 103 hp, weight: 1,090 kg, top speed: 186km /h, construction period: 1968–1970, price in good condition, 10,000 euros.

Rating Volvo Amazon

Driving behavior: 7
Reliability: 9
Spare parts /service: 8
Tuning: 7
Price: 8
Overall: 39 - 8th place

7th place: Mercedes 280 E (W123) - comfortable and safe endurance runner

Many call it the last real Mercedes. Because the Mercedes W123 has just drawn on the full - tens of thousands of taxi drivers know what we are talking about at this point, they have fond memories of the robust all-metal car as an unswerving endurance runner.

The perseverance of the Mercedes W123 is what makes it especially for more demanding events like the British December marathon Le Jog or the snow-covered Histo-MonteInteresting. There the W123 series also impresses with its safe and predictable driving behavior. This is complemented by the comfort offered, which is sure to let the crew get over relaxed that such a comparatively heavy and large 123 will never completely shed its sedan character despite rally paintwork and additional lights.

The range of spare parts for the Mercedes The W123 is considered to be almost optimal, and here too there are numerous specialists with whose help and accessories the chassis and engine can be optimized for rally operations. Really noteworthy performance increases are not possible (and also not necessary). Conclusion: a strong rally car at a manageable price.

Mercedes 280 E : 2.8-liter six-cylinder, output: 177 hp, weight: 1,505 kg, Vmax: 200 km /h, construction period: 1975–1985, price in good condition: 11,000 euros.

Evaluation Mercedes 280 E (W123)

Driving behavior: 7
Reliability: 10
Spare parts /service: 10
Tuning: 5
Price: 8
Total: 40 - 7th place

7th place: Alfa Romeo Giulia - playful lightness and double-ocher poem

Strong, compact and safe to drive - this is how automotive journalists once characterized the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Although it has never played a major role in motorsport (that was left to its highly specialized derivative Alfa Romeo GTA), it is still considered a prime example of a sports sedan.

Because it can be moved with playful ease and even at fast speeds Curves remain neutral for a long time, at best pushing the rear slightly outwards. Its controllability promises carefree driving even in difficult situations, the Alfa Romeo Giulia demands little, but gives a lot back.

Emotionality is another of its strengths, the engine, this ingenious double camshaft construction, is full of decades collected racing genes. The engine of the Alfa Romeo Giulia is also considered to be quite reliable, but also as maintenance-intensive. A large Alfa scene is dedicated to maintaining the model, almost all parts are available, and at a comparatively low price level. The Giulia Nuova Super 1600, which was built from 1974 to 1978 and already has disc brakes at the front, is best suited for 'tougher' rally operations.

Alfa Romeo Giulia : 1.6 -Liter four-cylinder, power: 116 hp, weight: 1,040 kg, top speed: 179km /h, construction period: 1974–1978, price in good condition: 17,000 euros.

Alfa Romeo Giulia rating

Driving behavior: 8
Reliability: 8
Spare parts /Service: 9
Tuning: 8
Price: 7
Overall: 40 - 7th place

5th place: Porsche 911Carrera 3.2 - fast carefree classic

No rally without a 911. Motorsport remains the world of the Porsche 911, and it almost doesn't matter which version it starts in. In most cases today, however, it is likely to be a G-model (1973 to 1989), of which a later Carrera 3.2 appears to many as the best choice between sportiness and technical perfection - it is considered a fast, carefree Porsche that can do a lot better than his predecessors.

What he has retained is that pleasurable driving behavior and that typical ease with which a 911 can be maneuvered through curves, first slightly understeering, then out with a little oversteer. As the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2, it also impresses with a maturity and reliability that is second to none, and if you still need a spare part, the Porsche dealer simply reaches out to the shelf.

Anyone who seriously wants to do motorsport will also feel at home in the Porsche world: The range of tuning options for the chassis and engine of the Porsche 911 is probably only limited by the budget available. Only the price situation for purchase and maintenance cost the 911 a top position in this ranking.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 : 3.2-liter six-cylinder boxer, output: 321 PS, weight: 1,280 kg, top speed: 238 km /h, construction period: 1983–1989, price in good condition: 40,000 euros.

Evaluation Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2

Driving behavior: 8
Reliability: 10
Spare parts /service: 10
Tuning: 10
Price: 3
Overall: 41 - 5th place

4th place: Ford Escort RS 2000 - reliable , predictable and ready for tuning

He can still do it today - on a country road. But in order to turn a good escort into a racing-ready RS 2000, Ford had to come up with a few more far-reaching measures: The gearbox, rear axle and braking system come from the Ford Cortina, the floor assembly has been reinforced and the chassis lowered.

In the end, the 100 hp two-liter OHC only fitted under the hood with a new oil pan and a new transmission bell housing. Comfort? It fell by the wayside in the RS bucket seats, and the small steering wheel requires a lot of force in the arms to keep the Ford Escort RS 2000 on course in a species-appropriate way.

But such a Ford Escort RS 2000 always remains predictable, with small drifts it is easier than many others to drift through any narrow course. His playful handling is still his strength, as is the proverbial reliability of his basically good technology. Thanks to a large tuning and accessories scene (especially in the UK), however, far more power can be drawn from this than the standard 100 PS. Normal spare parts are not a problem, onlyspecific RS body parts are slowly becoming rare.

Ford Escort RS 2000 : 2.0-liter four-cylinder, power: 100 hp, weight: 900 kg, top speed: 175 km /h , Construction period: 1973–1974, price in good condition: 25,000 euros.

Rating Ford Escort RS 2000

Driving behavior: 8
Reliability: 10
Spare parts /service: 9
Tuning: 9
Price: 6
Overall: 42 - 4th place

3rd place: Opel Kadett C GT /E - high-traction rear-wheel drive car with an indestructible engine

The last rear-wheel drive Kadett and, on top of that, Opel's homologation model for rallying - it would be grossly negligent to keep a black and yellow GT /E just for everyday use. Restraint is not his thing anyway, it is already 20 millimeters lower on the road than a production Kadett, already has a ZF five-speed transmission, a rear axle differential with lock and a reinforced stabilizer on the rear axle.

On The Opel Kadett C GT /E does not lack traction either, its steering is smooth and very precise. However, especially on slippery ground, the rigid-axle rear almost always pushes it a little outwards, a typical oversteer who likes to be counter-steered.

Its two-liter engine delights with its almost indestructible stability and should be one of the favorite objects of tuning - Counting the scene: 200 hp are quite feasible, and at hill climbs you can come across specimens with up to 300 hp. Unfortunately, spare parts such as doors, fenders and side panels are gradually becoming scarce, everything else can still be found in the large Opel modular system. The most difficult thing, however, is to buy an Opel Kadett C GT /E at all.

Opel Kadett C GT /E : 2.0-liter four-cylinder, output: 115 PS, weight: 970 kg, top speed: 190km /h, construction period: 1975–1979, price in good condition: 14,000 euros.

Evaluation Opel Kadett C GT /E

Driving behavior: 8
Reliability: 10
Spare parts /service: 9
Tuning: 9
Price: 7
Overall: 43 - 3rd place

Place 2: VW Golf I GTI - rock solid and with good manners

The super Golf. When he took the stage in 1976, VW was suddenly cool - no other car had shaped the class of fast compact cars as much as the GTI. Driving fast is even easier with it than with its direct competitor, the Opel GT /E. He remains - somehow typical for Wolfsburg - nevertheless always the more sensible of the two, always shows good manners. No lurching and no breaking out of the rear end and always ready to execute every command immediately and without reflection - that's how we know the GTI.

And we have long appreciated it as a reliable rally partner because its rock-solid technology seldom drives prematurelyfinished: Neither the 1.6-liter, and certainly not the 1.8-liter used from 1982, have serious problems, and the whole package is manageable for beginners. Spare Parts? Everything is there, but VW Golf I GTI-specific parts are slowly becoming fewer, but the well-established club scene can often help here. There are also countless providers of chassis optimization and engine tuning.

VW Golf I GTI: 1.6-liter four-cylinder, power: 110 PS, weight: 875 kg, Vmax: 185 km /h, construction period: 1976–1983, price in good condition: 12,000 euros.

Rating VW Golf I GTI

Driving behavior: 9
Reliability: 10
Spare parts /service: 9
Tuning: 9
Prize: 7
Overall: 44 - 2nd place

1st place: BMW 318i (E 30) - undemanding balance leads to victory

There is little that can be criticized for this BMW 318i (E 30). Rear-wheel drive, hardly any weight, carefree technology and a racing icon on top of that - the second generation of three definitely has what it takes to become a classic.

But let's talk about driving behavior first. Of course, such a BMW E 30 is a comparatively young, i.e. modern, car. But that doesn't explain the ease with which a threesome rushes down the street. Rather, it is its undemanding balance that, in the sum of its properties, makes this model predestined for any rally use.

Sticking on the start number and having great fun while driving is the three-part recipe - not bad for a car , which until not so long ago had to struggle with the image of a tinkered chubby box.

The spare parts situation? Good to very good. The club scene? Highly active. The range of (tuning) accessories for chassis and engine? Almost unlimited. If a BMW 318i with its 105 hp is too underpowered, the 136 hp 318is, the 'M3 of the common man', can be used. And: The six-cylinder 320i and 325i will also get H-tires this year.

BMW 318i (E 30): 1.8-liter four-cylinder, output: 105 hp, Weight: 1,030 kg, top speed: 180 km /h, construction period: 1984–1990, price in good condition: 5,000 euros.

Evaluation BMW 318i (E30)

Driving behavior: 10
Reliability: 10
Spare parts /service: 9
Tuning: 8
Price: 10
Overall: 47 - 1st place

Conclusion by Michael Schröder

O k., There will never be the best rally car for any purpose. But rally fans can choose their car with the help of a few criteria, whereby of course personal taste (in addition to the available budget) should play the main role in the purchase decision. That theDifferences, however, are often small, as the points evaluation shows - and that in the end a “cheap home” is ahead in the sum of its characteristics, many rally beginners will certainly like it.

Basic equipment for rallying

For participation in a classic car rally, any classic car that complies with the year of manufacture of the respective organizer is sufficient (usually 20 or 30 years). The car should also be in good technical condition and have proper tires. Basic tools and a few spare parts such as spark plugs, V-belts or fuses belong in the trunk.

Winter and long-distance rallies require further preparation, depending on the model. In most classic rallies, the tests are run in the so-called regularity mode: A precisely defined route must be completed as precisely as possible after a specified time or average speed - which experts do with an accuracy of a few hundredths.

If you want to try that too, you need an odometer (such as Retro-Trip or Halda), at least two stopwatches and, if necessary, an editing table or an editing computer (not allowed everywhere). And of course some practice, for example in the form of a Motor Classic rally course, information at: https://event.motorpresse.de/auto/trainings/.

Equipped in this way, you can take part in one of the three Motor Classic rallies (Paul Pietsch Classic, Silvretta Classic and Sachsen Classic) nothing in the way. Info: https://event.motorpresse.de/auto/rallyes/.