[rallyhub]

Perhaps the FIA should start thinking about why historic rallying is so popular?
Why do people come to see and like rally cars in action from the seventies, from almost 50 years ago?
I think these cars mark a peak in rallying, several years before Group B became popular.
But why do they do that?
I think the answer is: Rally cars used to be more production-based than they are today, and rightly so, as Stuart pointed out.

People recognize(d) these cars better than today's winged projectiles.

I suspect the sales impact of the highly recognizable Group A Subaru Impreza 555 was greater than that of the current Ford Puma Rally1.
In fact, back then you could buy an all wheel drive Impreza 555 road car, if you had enough money.
The current Ford Puma doesn't even have four-wheel drive and an engine with less capacity than its Rally1 version. 
The comparison between road car and the space frame Rally1 version is completely flawed.

In my opinion, discontinuing the Rally1 class would be a move in the right direction.
More manufacturers will then be interested in participating in the WRC with a Rally2 car.

Hub