The 70s and 80s was a mad era when it came to motoring and motorsport. The cars had a distinct design language that range from being outright wacky to downright boxy. But it was the motorsport where men and their uniquely-engineered machines used to go proper bonkers. This was specially at peak intensity when the cars in question were the flame-throwing, turbo-spooling monsters from the Group B era. This August, the auction house Bonhams is bringing not just one, but seven incredible machines from the golden agy of Rally that was Group B under one roof at the Quail Lodge Auction in Carmel, California on August 18.

The mental, rooster-tailing Group B cars that are going to be part of this epic collection are:

1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

The Lancia Stratos HF Stradale can be best described as the Supercar that went about conquering the rallying circuit. The ‘High Fidelity Stradale also known as the Tipo 829 went about winning the WRC championship in the 1974, 1975 and 1976. This unique Mid Engined Rally monster has 12,610 kms on the odometer and is highly original.

Photos: Bonhams/P. Litwinksi

1983 Lancia Rally 037 Stradale

The successor to the Lancia Stratos, this continues on the lineage of mid engined rally cars built by Lancia. Also Known as the Tipo 151. A worthy successor it was indeed, winning Lancia the World Rally Championship title 1983, by employing a supercharger to eliminate the Turbo lag and give the car a naturally aspirated engine feel. It would also go down in the history books as the last rear wheel drive car to win the World Rally Championship. This fine example has just 9342 kms on the odometer  and has all original interiors.

Photos: Bonhams/P. Litwinksi

1985 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16

This Group B Peugeot 205 was truely one monster of a Rally Car. The layout was changed to a mid engined transverse layout and four wheel drive added to the equation meant this incredibly light Group B machine carved the corners as fast as it flew through the straights. This pristine example has 1,113 kms on the odometer and original tires, and probably even the chicken strips.

Photos: Bonhams/P. Litwinksi

1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1

The incredible Audi Sport Quattro is synonymous with Group B Rallying. The lightweight Kevlar body and aluminium alloy straight 5 engine dominated the Rallying Scene and put Michele Mouton on the path of stardom. This joins the list of the other cars of the group in having low mileage and originality.

Photos: Bonhams/P. Litwinksi

1985 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale

The car that introduced the advantage of having a Supercharger and Turbocharger to facilitate responsiveness and high power output is no stranger to WRC victories in Europe and South America. This is yet another pristine example with 8,851 kms on the odo.

Photos: Bonhams/P. Litwinksi

1986 Ford RS200 Evolution

Ford’s answer to Audi and Peugeot Group B challengers. This lightweight Group B machine from Ford was the fastest accelerating machine in its day. With only 24 cars ever built by Ford to compete in Group B, this car has incredible amount of exclusivity packaged with it. In collection since 1989 in factory fresh state.

Photos: Bonhams/P. Litwinksi

1986 Ford RS200

Having to only compete with its brother (RS200 Evolution) in exclusivity, this Ford RS200 was one of the most technologically advanced cars back in its day. Maintained in near factory fresh state like the rest of the cars of this collection.

Photos: Bonhams/P. Litwinksi