Miguel Sánchez
Thanks to its geography and its dirt roads, Finland is one of the referential countries for the world of rallies. Not only because it is the place where Henri Toivonen or Juha Kankkunen came from. But also for trophies such as the Thousand Lakes Rally. Contested since 1951, some of its sections are a constant source of entertainment thanks to the elevation changes combined with high speeds. In this way, some of the most famous snapshots in the entire history of the World Cup have been captured on the straights of Ouninpohja. With the Audi Quattro or Mini Cooper taking the wheels off the ground to interpret jumps with meters and meters of travel.
However, as we go further back in time, the type of vehicles located in the winning positions is striking. And it is that, in contrast to the Escort RS or 131 Abarth dominant in the seventies, the first years of the Thousand Lakes Rally were led by the Peugeot or Saab sedans. It's more, in the inaugural edition it was an Austin Atlantic that took victory. Definitely a heavy, wobbly car. Right at the antipodes of what could be considered desirable when it comes to linking curves and straight lines effectively. In addition, reviewing other resistance tests on earth, we see how the same phenomenon occurs.
In fact, until the arrival of the official team Datsun/Nissan in 1970, the most iconic model of the Safari Rally was the Peugeot 404 with up to three consecutive victories. All this preceded by the notable successes achieved by the Mercedes 219 "Ponton” in 1959 and 1960. Thus, it is worth asking the following question. Why? Why, in events as competitive as long-distance rallies, did the heaviest sedans always sweep out much sportier models?
At this point, the answer can be approached from two different perspectives. Obviously, the first has to do with how long it took for models designed from scratch to practice rallying to appear. It's more, not a few motor historians point to the Lancia Stratos as the first example in this regard. A model, let us remember, appeared in 1973. That is to say, just the year in which the World Rally Championship started, although, at the same time, more than two decades after the start of tests as established as the Safari or the Thousand Lakes. And that's not to mention the Montecarlo, whose history goes back as far as 1911.
However, the second perspective does have to do with more technical issues. Specifically with reliability. Not in vain, although the Peugeot 404 or Mercedes 219 did not stand out for their immediate reactions, they did for their more than proven robustness. In short, they were not fast. But they are extremely reliable. Thanks to this, in tests on gravel with very long stages in the midst of extreme weather conditions, these family sedans were the most sensible option. What's more, with just a few changes in terms of suspensions, any semi-professional driver could win international trophies. What more could you want?
Thus, until the arrival of the Alpine A110, Escort RS or Kadett GT/E, the sober but resistant sedans of German, French or Swedish brands dominated Africa and northern Europe. A success story in which highlights this Mercedes 220SE W111 from 1959 with chassis 014930. Winner, precisely, in one of the editions of the Mil Lagos Rally. Specifically that of 1961, thanks to the piloting of Rauno Aaltonen. European rally champion in 1965 and, in addition, winner of the Monte Carlo in 1967 on the back of a small but effective Mini Cooper S.
MERCEDES 220SE W111, ON THE ROAD ON A SALON
In the early 190s, Mercedes was seriously concerned about the rise of BMW. Equally exclusive but at the same time much more casual, its access models were increasingly desired and successful thanks to their evident sporty touch. Put in this position, Mercedes finally managed to react with the presentation of the 1982 in XNUMX. A complete sales success thanks to its excellent compromise between quality and performance served in compact saloon format. Also, the version 190E with direct injection it gave the desired sporty touch to look at each other with BMW.
What's more, Mercedes executives saw it as a perfect base for creating a Group B model for the World Rally Championship. Not in vain, that was presented as a more than interesting publicity bet. Being able to be used by the brand in its official return to competition, left behind after the terrible disaster at Le Mans 1955. Thus, at Mercedes they were really close to entering the same league as the 250 T16 or Delta S4. However, the appearance of the Audi Quattro upset all his plans.
Not surprisingly, the innovative all-wheel drive presented by the creation of Ferdinand Piëch turned everything upside down in the World Rally Championship. Banishing the rear propulsion thus forcing enormous efforts in terms of traction. Due to this new situation, Mercedes abandoned the idea of making a Group B 190E, leaning towards developing a version for the DTM with the 190 EVO. One of the great myths in the history of touring car racing in Europe. With all this, although the return of the German house to the competition was done in a really successful way, it once again put aside the world of competition on land.
In this way, a constant in the history of the brand was confirmed once again. And it is that, although interesting land models crowned by the Mercedes star have appeared recurrently, these have always been private creations made on series units. It's more, only a few special 15-inch steel wheels were supplied from the factory like the ones mounted on this Mercedes 220SE W111 winner of the Thousand Lakes. Strictly standard in its mechanics. Defined by the M127.982 engine with 2,2 liters, six cylinders and 118CV produced from 1959 to 1965.
Undoubtedly, an excellent example of reliability for the more than 66.000 units powered by that same engine. So things, these rally Mercedes are a lesson in the importance of robustness and quality in manufacturing. In addition, today they appear as classics that, even defying logic of design and behavior, ensure strong sensations for those who dare to emulate Aaltonen's feat in the Thousand Lakes of 1961.
Photographs: RM Sotheby's
