The wacky world of homologation specials 

The insane loopholes were great. For GT1, the car needed to have a trunk you could fit a suitcase into, but the rules never specified that trunk couldn't be the fuel tank, so Toyota made the GT-One (project code TS020), put a suitcase in the empty fuel tank, said that was the trunk, and then homologated what was literally a prototype into GT1.

Homologation Specials are by far the best looking race cars ever made. No matter the era, no matter the series, they are always top tier

I love those "bodywork only" homologation specials. They were stupidly expensive and disappointing on paper. But they made it possible to buy the extra add-on pieces from the dealer, which you could then bolt on to your track or race car to make them functional pieces with historical significance.

My favourite homologated car is the Celica GT4. So much is shared between the rally car and the road car, they even have the same wiring loom. So any electronic device/ecu/driver aid fitted to the rally car can be retrofitted to the road car and it is all plug and play. Want anti lag on your celica GT4, just find the ecu that does it and just plug it in

My favorite ’homolagtion special’ was the AMX Javelin that Roger Penske put together for the trans am series in the early ‘70s. There were all sorts wild stories about that car (like the 5m fuel rig they used), but the best one bar none was the brakes they used. Story goes Penske took four disc brakes to an AMC dealership and had them entered into the vehicles parts catalog. Since the brakes had to be ‘stock’, this was a neat way of sliding the state-of-the-art disc brakes from the Porsche 917/30 right past the scrutineers…

Speaking of homologation specials, one that isn’t mentioned in this video is the Australian “supercar scare” caused by homologation specials created to race in Australian Touring Car Championship. The government was so scared that these car could potentially dangerous for public road and they just banned it not only for the competition but for public sale.

My friend had a 206 RC, he gutted the interior and tuned it up to 220 hp That thing was very quick...

Never knew about the "bodywork only" rules for homoligating cars. Back when the NSX GT was added in Forza horizon 4, we all questioned the giant roof scoop... Question answered 😅 For real, the Super GT homoligation cars are some of the most obscure in racing games. The one for the 350Z for example i only have seen in 1 game, being the fast and furious Tokyo drift (PS2/PSP).

One of the facts around the homologation of the Ford Sierra RS500 was that you got the front fog lights in a box in the boot from the dealership. The holes where they normally would be placed in the front bumper were designed for brake cooling ducts in the race car. You could still fit them after purchasing if you wished.

9:39 the Rally1 cars have to have the same roofline, just not the same chassis. So the aero advantage of the GR Yaris homologation has helped them, especially with rear downforce.

I like the NISMO GT-R LM homologation model, it’s so boxy and strange looking.

Just drop by to say that your materials are great. The stories that are full of racing and chasing a speed spoken in our specific way. During listening to you everything sound so simple 🔥 Great job your materials are making my day better. So glad that i clicked on the video about Renault 5

My favorite homoligation special story is the Pontiac GTO, because apparently Pontiac didn't actually pay attention to what the GTO acronym even meant, and when they found out they just kinda threw the GTO into Group 3 so that the acronym actually meant something

I absolutely love anything homologation specials. As a Toyota fan there is plenty to choose from, but I love two anegdotes: Toyota GT-One’s fueltank acting as a luggage compartment, and limited run of Celica GT-Four (ST205) called WRC edition, that lacked ABS but had factory plumbing for anti-lag system! I own one homologation special myself, it’s a 1992 Toyota Carina E GTi, which uses a 3SGE engine and very complicated front Super Strut Suspension. From what I know, they ditched the trick suspension for Supertouring cars after testing as it wasn’t strong enough. Similarily, road going Celica ST205 had this suspension setup, while the rally car went for regular MacPherson strut. Later this type of suspension was copied by Chevrolet and Renault for Clio RS.

this happends with bikes also, for example Honda currently has the RC213V-S, which is a "road legal" (more of a track day) MotoGP bike, they made them so they could go around the rules that don't allow the riders to use race bikes to practice outside race weekends

I adore the fact that you use Ace Combat music as background music to these videos, definitely earned a sub from me!

I swear the Venn diagram of ace combat fans and racing fans is surprisingly big. Great video man, can't wait for the next one !

One of my favorite (little known) homologation cars was the 2006 Corvette Z06. Since Corvette was dominating the GTS/GT1 races, a rule was set that displacement had to match with a number of production cars so the Corvette got a 7.0L V-8.

my parents have the 206GT, numbered 400something, I can't actually remember. it was originally my late grandma's, because for some reason the then 70-year-old former teacher found it attractive somehow. she didn't ever drive it much, it just recently reached 100k km on the odo, on the same day as my grandma passed away. it's actually really fun to drive, especially now that it's modified to run on 85% ethanol.

I own a homologation special, it's a 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2 + 2, or an Aerocoupe Grand Prix, it was a GM G-Body car that fitted a more rounded, aerodynamic nose, a more fastback style rear glass, and a dovetail spoiler on the trunk lid. It has a massive trunk, it's the exact same size as a standard G-Body, but the new rear glass does not open, and the new trunk lid is only about 1 foot tall, so you have a massive trunk, just with almost no way to put things into it. There's a reason it was described on prerelease test drives as "an ill-fitting grocery getter."

To piggy back a little. The US had a huge influence from homologation rules in the 60s (early 70s). Mostly with displacement. Trans Am racing used FIA rules which had an over 2.0L but limited 5.0L class. This gave us some great pony cars like the Mustang Boss 302. NASCAR had a rule of 7.0L max displacement with 2 valve per rules. That is why Ford and Chevy made 427 engines and Chrysler had its 426 Hemi.

It's worth to mention that Escort Cosworth shown after 3:37 wasn't "just a bodykit". Escort Cosworth had different drivetrain and suspension with significant changes done to the chassis (mostly to change from transverse to longitudinally mounted engine. IMO group A homologation specials will always be the most interesting, as circuit or rally cars based on them had to share many parts with road cars. WRX, Evo, M3, 190E 16V, Delta HF 4WD, Sierra Cosworth, Volvo 240 turbo, AWD Celicas... So many wonderful machines.

Homologation is like the best self policing form of rules, IMO. You dictate cost and performance by number of cars produced, and it almost always results in memorable cars that further interest in motorsport.

I think the alfa argument was that the aero was sold inside the trunk so it's road legal, which would be pretty funny if they let alfa run with the wing but only if it's inside the trunk like how it was sold

Another pair of homologation specials from the 80's were the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe and Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2. These two G-Body special editions were further examples of specific aero parts being put on a limited run of production cars, so those parts could be used in racing, in this case, NASCAR in the late 80's. In the case of the Monte Carlo, the Aerocoupes are Super Sport models with a rear window that extended out, with a shorter deck lid. These were offered for the 1986 and 1987 model years, 200 built in 1986, and a further 6,052 in 1987. The first year was the minimum NASCAR required, the much higher number the next year was because of popularity. The Grand Prix 2+2 went even further. The rear window extended even further out, and was a bubble, instead of a three-sided one that the Aerocoupe has, attached to a fiberglass deck lid, plus a more aerodynamic nose. That last part was further necessary, because it's relative Monte Carlo SS had a more aerodynamic nose than a normal GP. Pontiac only offered the 2+2 for the 1986 model year, but built more than the required 200, with 1,118 built. I'm also quite partial to the 1995 Nismo GT-R LM. The AWD system was removed, leaving it RWD. It has widened bodywork, weight reduced to 1,150 kilos (2,535 lbs), and a spec motor putting out 400hp. Nissan even did the exact same thing they did with the R390, they built one road car, and kept it for themselves. Oh, and can't forget the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. That was a Dakar homologation special. Some of the best homologation specials, IMHO, are the ones that never ended up racing in the first place. Look at the 1993 Volkswagen Golf A59, for example. Engineered to compete in WRC, it features AWD and a 275hp turbocharged 2-litre engine. It never raced, and never went into production, but can also easily be seen as a precursor to the Golf R32 that arrived in the following generation, and the R models that followed.

Great video and subbing! Also, great use of the AC soundtrack :D

The 1961 Ferrari 250 GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) is the one that comes to my mind. Interesting video, explains the purpose of these cars perfectly!

Not strictly homologation related but when Peugeot replaced the 206 with the 307 in the WRC, they'd found the hatchback version too tall for their liking so they've just used the convertible with the steel roof welded shut.

I love the videos from this channel, as it delves into stories and small details on obscure cars and scopes from the world of racing (such as racecar builders and the Renault 5 GT story) that are often ignored by other channels. Sometimes, overlooked just for the sake of nostalgia of other, more famous stuff. Congrats, nice work!

Not every homologation special is extremely sought after, my friend owns a Galant Vr4, and she got it for, what, 10k in aussie dollars, which I love

Just found your channel. And I was just learning about homologation a few minutes before. Nice.

Good videos as always man.

The Ace Combat music is a really nice detail

Knowing NSX-R's air intake was fake is one way to ruin my childhood 💀

I noticed you didn’t mention the Volvo 242 Evolution, which was interesting because of how it was sold in the US. The car came with a “trunk kit” with all the aero parts and most of the people who bought them in the US never put them on, so the only way you would be able to immediately tell it apart from a normal 242 was by the flat hood. It did have a 16v 2.3 turbo engine that made significantly more power than the standard Volvo 240 turbo model as well.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution is one of a few if not the only homologation SUV ever made. Pretty cool that they were actually used to compete in Dakar.

Part 2 Please!

Another case of a homologation model with stretched bumpers is the CLK LM. If you look at the picture of the road car used for homologation on the FIA Archive, it has a weird looking very long front bumper which neither the race car nor the actual road car had. It kinda looks like it was designed to make it road legal in the US? But it was probably just a trick to make the race version of the CLK LM slightly longer than the previous CLK GTR

Glad I caught this early! Fallen in love with your content while getting a massive itch for motorsport history channels more fitting of my sportscar/rally-oriented interests!

I remember reading about a car that raced at Le Mans before the second world war, which was effectively a Prototype racer at the time ... before the concept of prototype racers was created. Don't remember which car it was tho. I do think my personal favorite is the Sintura, that's just a crazy stunt using only one chassis fro both the "road" and racecar

That black Nismo R390 is absolutely tits, one of my favorite cars ever made and that's saying a lot because I love a LOT of cars!

I appreciate the Ace Combat music

speaking of drag racing in the 60's, my grandpa was a drag racing pioneer! RIP charlie haviland! what a legend!

Homologatuin cars I’ve owned , Escort Rs2000, WRX STI RA Version2 (McRae era), Lancer Evo4 Rs. Also Australian classic cars built (not owned) Monaro GTS327, Cortina GT, Torana XU-1 and A9X, Falcon GT HO’s, my favourites the HSV VL Walkinshaw Group A, and the Commodore VN SS Group A

I've gotten the reverse effect with my bike. I've had a BMW F900r for two years and this year there's a new one make racing series for them as part of the British Superbike Championship. Accidental homologation bike. 😅

Your pronunciation of car names and models is spot on :D

Awesome video, though I feel you just missed two of the (In Germany/ DTM at least) most famous specials: The M3 E30 Evo (Which also had the extra spacers for the wing that weren't TÜV legal and had some other very trick optimizations) and the Mercedes 190 E Evo II (huge wing on that one for the time and many other bodywork changes) Both were DTM cars, the same series as the Alfa and the Audi you actually took in when most people kind of ignore them But you took some of the ones people didn't know about and that's awesome. I've looked at 206 RCs just now on the used market and the prices are insane for a 206 haha I guess being a homologation version explains that, because for example my '05 Fiesta ST150 isn't that much more than a "normal" Fiesta of that generation. Funny story about the 206 RC and GT: It's literally the same engine with cylinder head optimizations and a "tune" lol

I find the 2006 BMW 320si to be a great, relatively affordable homologation special, in addition to it also being wasted potential. They could've taken their S65 v8 from the E9x M3, cut it in half and make the most amazing spiritual succesor to the original E30 M3, but they just souped up an existing production engine (and not even by a whole lot), stuck it in a 4 door chassis with M package suspension, and called it a "homologation special", which it technically is. It's still pretty awesome and obscure car, that only gearheads would recognize, but still, imagine if we had a half of the M3's 4.0 V8 revving to 8500 rpm under that carbon fiber engine cover...

Amazing video! You hit all the main examples I knew of, plus a few curveballs that I straight up forgot about or never knew about (like the SuperGT Fairlady Z homologation special). Very well done.

Great videos as always man! My favorite homologation specials which have an air of honesty about them. These are homologation specials Manufacturers planned on selling without any obscure tricks albeit a limited number, but that's what makes em specials. 1.Mclaren F1 LT 2.Impreza 22 B 3.M3 E46 GTR 4. Ferrari F50 [if you could call it one, the GT1 race car never raced, but with a limited number of 349 the road car was as good as a homologation special IMO] Had the F50 GT actually raced, it along with the F1 GTR LT, would have been genuine GT1 cars in the BPR serirs and its successor the FIA GT championship. Unlike for instance, Toyota, Porsche and Mercedes with their "GT One" cars

Two notable exceptions from the world of Touring Cars: Ford Sierra RS500 and above all the BMW E30 M3!

My favorite homologation special is the Mercedes CLK GTR. It blew my mind when I first saw it as a young child in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 and it blows my mind even more nowadays to see such a crazy and cool design from a brand with such an understated, "serious business"-y, unadventurous (and frankly stuffy and bland, imo) image!

Awesome video! Great information and background video. Looking forward to more great content from you!

An early Australian example was the 1963 EH Holden S4. 100 had to built to qualify the car for the Bathurst 500 mile touring car race, but Holden actually built 126 S4s. With Holden having 600 dealers across the country, only a lucky few got to see one in their showroom.

Your channel is amazing, I'm glad I found it.

The AC music is the chef's kiss for these videos

I’m so glad I found this channel, keep up the great work!

Thanks for that. A clever and rare topic for a video. Good job.

The peugeot GT is actually a bit of a unicorn, as the 1997 WRC regulation changes got rid of the need for homologation specials it was the only other rally homologation special than the lancer EVOs after 1996 (Mitsubishi stuck with group A homologation rules until mid 2001 by their own choice).

One of my favourite homologation specials is the E30 M3, where BMW had to move the original back glass to be more slanted for aerodynamics. You can see the differences between a normal E30 and the M3, with the fatter c-pillars and the spacer in the trunk. Also the Porsche 935 was a cool one, with the double rear glass. Regulations stated “you had to use the stock rear glass in the stock position” but no one said that you couldn’t add another bigger and more slanted one, so Porsche did. Just awesome

My favorite and probably one of the more obscure homologation specials was the Oldsmobile Achieva SCX W41. It was built to meet the requirements to race in an SCCA competition of the time. I can't remember which.

Loved every single minute of this video! My favourite has got to be the Fiat Abarth 1000 TC with it's mad bodywork.

This video made meee veryyy happy, ace combat music in the background especially breifing 1 from acecombat 5 and then racecars of course ☺️❤️

Just found your channel a few weeks ago and I really love it, keep it up.

I enjoyed that vid a lot, thank you so much

If anyone's curious, the FIA's historical database is readily available. You'd be surprised what vehicles were homologated from various manufacturers for motorsports!

This video is amazing!! Keep up the amazing work

You saved the best for last. I was wandering if it was a to old video for the yaris to be mentioned... Good video

Awesome video. Thanks for this.

Can I just say I fucking love the Ace Combat OST background music

I hear briefing 2 from Ace Combat Zero in the first part. Excellent taste, you earned another subscriber.

Great video, as always. Keep up the good work, loving it

This is so damn interesting. Thank you for uploading!

Another very good and interesting video, keep up the great work!

Your channel is such a gem !! Best motorsport channel in a very long time !

The Ace Combat soundtrack!!! Awesome

Content aside, which was excellent mind you, I'm really appreciating the Ace Combat music. Subscribed

mate, this is quickly becoming a bloody fantastic channel. Well done, and I wish you all the best. Pleast keep 'em coming!

Awesome channel man, keep up the great work!

One of my favorite homolgation specials, even though it was aero only, was the Datsun 280ZXR. It had these black and bright blue decals that contrasted nicely with the silver bodywork. So while mechanically it wasn't super impressive, it looked pretty cool!

I love seeing channels at the beginning of their push. Keep up the good work.

discovered this channel this weekend, very good content really enjoying it, also I notice the use of ace combat music thats great! cheers!

love your channel man, seriously good job.

Speaking of GR Yaris, there's also an AP4 version which rallies in Australia, NZ, & Indonesia. It's practically sort of the predecessor to its Rally2 cousin using similar treatment like keeping the 3cyl turbo and still uses a production body (an AP4 is roughly equivalent to an R5/Rally2 cars). A shame that the GR Yaris WRC project was canned because the car is recorded to be even faster than the then current Yaris WRC during their testing. The car now rests inside TGR-WRT's new HQ. To be fair, the GR Yaris Rally1 still benefits the improved aero that the base road car brings like the lowered roofline for example.

I liked the video because of homologation special. I subscribed because of the randomly appearing of Ace Combat Zero soundtrack at 3:58

I love when people use Ace Combat's OST, kudos!

Very nice Video mate really enjoyed it! 👍🏻

Very well researched and very interesting.

once again a high quality video, congrats!

cool video, thank you so happy we got the growling yaris

Great video as always Stijn!

Fantastic and underrated homologation special: Mazda Familia (323) GTR, and the extra special and GT A/E

Keep on doing what you do! Love it! PS: Love the AC:0 OST

You'll have 10k subs by next week with this quality content

If I had to pick one, the M3 GTR would be it for me. Discovered it through NFS like many people and instantly fell in love with it. Porsches be damned, that M3 is the Geman car of my dreams.

the very recent one is the gr yaris....supposed to run for the wrc but adapted for the new wrc regulations by just adding an electric motor and battery....

Pajero Evolution is the best example of homologation ! It conquered Dakar for many consecutive years. And they made plenty of them for the road.

Good channel. Just subscribed 👌

You should make a video going through all the different types of motorsport. I know some of the basics but it feels like every video I hear about a new type of racing.

Subscribed for the Ace Combat Music But tbh, I should have subscribed to you long ago because your content is amazing