Has anyone ever done this or even considered looking into it?

i dont wish to do this myself im just curious...

Do a Merc A1 280, stick another engine in the boot to drive the rear wheels!!!! :rofl:

Golf Syncro transmission parts?

^^ they are too rare to cut up and use like that, and that's even if you can find one.

I did all the fab work on mine to allow 4x4, was intending on just using rwd but as I was doing lots of work anyway thought I would make it futureproof lol. lots and lots of work as the felly felly shell is not that strong.

there was one doing rallycross a good few years ago using ford bits too

Yeah, there was a favorit that was an escort cosworth underneath, had the rally sport article about it somewhere...

Octy 4x4 parts? I'd expect to need a shorter propshaft, but the FWD end is fairly well documented, and you'll need custom fabrication on the back end whatever you do.