Visit to Rallysport development

[daverwd]

Well guys I am very particular about body panels & having things looking correct .
So I decided to get in touch with Rallysport development (RSD) as they are now making replicated 131 Abarth car?s for the Historic Rally scene?
I am  no ??abarth specialist?? but I have had a big interest in these cars all my life & have been a fan of the 131 Abarth  since I was old enough to understand what a rally car was..
After some phone conversations with Kevin Theaker  I decided to put in an order for a kit & jump on a ferry & go over..
This was a very successful visit as I was greeted by Kevin & his guys with a  bodykit that is without any  doubt  the most impressive kit I have ever come across..  (& I have  used a lot of kits over the years from previous 131 kits to RS200,Manta400,6R4 & escort kits.. etc )  the detail & quality of the kit is actually better than any hopes I could have had.. every panel  is line perfect , accurate & well made ..
I was delighted when Kevin offered to show me around his set up.. He has the car there from the autosport show  & some other 131?s there at various stages of completion so I got to see how               it all goes together ..
This guy has reproduced everything for a works set up 131 to go rallying. He showed me many parts that were both original (which are used as a templates) &  replica parts from bracket?s to suspension set up?s, to engine, diff  & gearbox castings all 100% in every detail down to the last drilled hole or grove in a part..
RSD  are not claiming to produce anything more than 131?s that are replicated to be as accurate & strong  as you are ever going to get to the original 131 Abarth Cars of the 70?s & 80?s..
Sure haven?t people & companies being doing this for many years to the Mk1/2 Ford escort with great result?s   & now it?s the turn of the 131, & in my opinion Kevin & his guy?s have got it spot on,  producing high quality part?s for a much loved rally car which over the years due to part?s availability & price has been in the background of historic rally until now ?
This is just my opinion & take on things but as it seem?s  I  did what everyone else on here didn?t do & that was to make call?s get on a boat & go see what  was this fantastic thing RSD were doing for the 131.   Getting these car?s out in the public eye again can only help revive the memories  & nostalgia for the  3 times  winning world champion 131,.. as well as hopefully increasing the value of them from Ex-works cars to genuine stradale road cars (which some guys on here are lucky enough to own ) ,to Sport/Racing models , 4 door models & hopefully in my case the odd replica car. .
So as I know that the guy?s look in here from time to time I will say , Thanks to RSD & keep up the amazing work , you guys saw a hole in the market to do something no one else was doing & I for one wish you every success..

[Yagmur]

 Hello Dave,
Congratulations to you for visiting Kevin...
I saw the pics of the body kits months ago and I was sure of RSD that he would do the best..

[jasonh131]

well said  david 
 An  idea would be to an tour and 131 meet at his facililty to see all his good work and show some encouragement
 

[mirafioriman]

I wonder where the base shells are coming from. Converted 2 doors, four doors or both?

[kev131]

Great post Dave...and I think most people on here would support what you've said. Can't wait to see them in action....!

[cos124]

I haven't seen any mention of their 16V cyl head work. I saw it during the recent Autosport show. It's supposed to be a replica Abarth head and they have re-cast the head and the cam carriers. I asked the price of the whole assembly and nealy had a heart attack.....but then again i know how much it costs to tool up.....such things. Casting quality on show was really good.

[daverwd]

Yep.  They are making 16valve heads & they look good. . Serious effort gone into making everything correct by these lads..

[barry]

The whole enterprise looks amazing to me. Cars look stunning real or replica doesn't bother me. The effort to recreate an old concept must be immence and to get these results well just fantastic. Look forward to seeing them driven in anger.                       

[simon131]

Late last week I had a very long, interesting and informative telephone conversation with someone extremely close to the cars and am looking forward to finding out more. As a result of this I have been invited to visit RSD in the next few weeks and it goes without saying that I'll prepare a full report on my findings - which I anticipate being nothing but glowing

I too wish RSD all the very best of luck and can't wait to see the cars in action.

[jasonh131]

   I know they only made 400 abarths now they've tooled for cylinder heads, diff caseing and gearboxes whats to stop them making an other 400 and if your in the market for a gr4 would you buy a brand new one or an old
  original one ? for approx the same money .
  they don't like it in the ferrari world, but is it going on in escort world with the coworth bda 1800?    
 

[hicky131]

  I know they only made 400 abarths now they've tooled for cylinder heads, diff caseing and gearboxes whats to stop them making an other 400 and if your in the market for a gr4 would you buy a brand new one or an old
  original one ? for approx the same money .
  they don't like it in the ferrari world, but is it going on in escort world with the coworth bda 1800?    
 

It's happening in the Jaguar world as well Jason.
I bet there's more E types on the road/track than there ever has been.

But for me, the past is definately the future, so bring it on!!

Dave just happened to call by my place en-route to RSD and drop off some parts for me that I bought off him.
Nice meeting up with you Dave and I'm glad RSD has fulfilled your expectations. 

I'll be over there soon no doubt for a bonnet and boot lid.

[sdebez]

How much does a heart attack cost? If you don't want say how much the 16v heads are.

[cos124]

well complete cyl head assembly at ?11000.

[parrish]

Ill have two then

[131mania]

How did you find them? I was looking for a website, but could not find anything.

Do you have any contact info? Phone number? email? Anything???