I haven't had a close look at an rs, early or late, so can only take your word for it. But there's also the possibility the rear was replaced due to damage at some point over the cars 25+ years.
It just seems a bit redundant that just about everything I've ever come across with 4ws removal on these cars has involved locking the rear arms, especially for competition, if simply removing the rack does the same job.....
- MDK87 likes this