The legendary engine - explained

RSI advertisement during 1987/1988

This redering is the best I can do without damaging the book - Toyota splashing out the cash for a double spread add in Car magazine!

Richard Millar's Monster with Series-3 power!

More pictures of Marius's RSI

Need I say more? I think not...

Marius's Speed and Sound featured 88RSI-GP

Thanks to Marius for providing this article to The Registry which is about his ride as featured in the September 2009 edition of Speed and Sound Magazine. Wow this car is an inspiration man - a real beauty!

Pictures of Brendan's rides

Clean look you've got there dude!


The ultimate engine in the ultimate body? I think so


Love the subtle tweaks to the original look

Members (and guests:) can forward their pictures for publishing on this site to RSIRegistry@live.com

Toyota Endurance Test - September 1987

In September of 1987 Toyota South-Africa set out to thrash several endurance records at the Gerotek testing circuit. Four vehicles participated, two 1300 Conquests and two of the legendary 1600 RSI’s, of course. The Mission: To determine what distance can be covered in 72 hours while driving like a bat-out-of-hell and to break as many records as possible while doing it. During the 72 hours the cars could only stop for petrol, tyres and fresh drivers – all three preferably happening at the same stop.


So off they went blazing into the distance and after the first hour of the endurance, the first record was already shattered. A distance of 177 km was attained at an average speed of 179km/h by an RSI, beating the previous record, set by a VW Golf GTI, by 56km.
Everything went according to plan and after 48 hours a distance of 8559 km was achieved at an average speed of 179km/h beating the record set by a BMW 325iS Shadowline, set only two months earlier.


Then after three days of non-stop driving at top speed it all ended with all four vehicles finishing without any mechanical problems and smashing 33 South African records in the process. The leading RSI clocked an amazing 12899 km in 72 hours at a average speed of, wait for it …….179 km/h. Wow, talk about reliability and durability – damn!

Mike White's Group N RSI

This is the famous RSI driven by the Mike White/Serge Damseaux in the dealer colours during 1986/7 season. The little 1600cc (C-class) gave the bigger class cars hidings in the South African Group N racing series, which were basically standard vehicles fitted with rollcages and safety harneses. One of the highlights must be the grueling Castrol 6-hour Endurance race at Killarney where the White/Damseaux team beat Sarel van der Merwe’s GTI Golf, various GSI Kadett’s, BMW 528i's and Alfa GTV6’s to the finish line ensuring that Toyota win the Dealers Championship for Group N racing that year.

Toyota Dealer Team 4x4 Conquest - 1986

This is the Toyota Dealer Team Conquest driven and by the legendary Serge Damseaux during 1986/1987 season. The car was 4x4 and had a 2,1 litre rally engine from a Celica, and had a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3,8 seconds. This car was very successful on the South African rally circuit.

Cover page of Wiel magazine October 1986

In this issue of Wiel magazine, the RSI was introduced to South Africa. The original name of the car was Toyota Corolla Conquest Twincam 16 RSI (a mouth full !). Later on the Corolla part was omitted and the Conquest name would be used for all future hatchback variants of the Corolla range up to RUN-X models.

Registration Form For The RSI-Registry

Here is the Registration Form for the RSI-Registry. Please fax your completed form to 086-534-6023, or email "Registration Form" in subject line to RSIRegistry@live.com to receive electronic version.

Mead & McGrouther's Data Digest

80's Archrivals RSI, GSI and GTI

These pictures were published in Speed and Sound magazine and depicted the three archrivals of the 1980's the Toyota Conquest RSI, the Opel Kadett GSI and VW Golf GTI - beautifully done!

An ensemble of coolness!

A couple of pictures I found on the internet, please forward pictures of your rides to also feature on the blog.