The 911 SC RS was born out of the need to provide Porsche Group C race sponsor Rothmans with a relatively instant rally car for them to enter in their distinctive blue and white livery in various markets – the four-wheel drive 959 project had been intended to fill this role, but was running behind schedule.

Because having a larger engine would have meant being in a capacity class with a higher weight limit, the SC RS was based on the earlier 3-litre SC rather than the newer 3.2-litre Carrera.

Whilst Rothmans picked up most of the tab with some support from Shell and Michelin, both development and running the new rally car were entrusted to David Richards’ then Silverstone-based Prodrive Team under the Rothmans Porsche rally Team banner for the 1984 European Rally Championship and the inaugural Middle Eastern rally Championship.

To satisfy FIA homologation requirements, 20 cars had to be produced, five being assigned to Prodrive and the rest sold on as ‘Special Edition’ road cars.

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