Four fabulous fast Fords aim for auction record

A stable of Sierra Cosworths could be yours

Homologation has given us many a treat over the years, but Ford’s positively nutty Sierra RS Cosworth has to be up there as one of the best.

Built to allow the US marque to go racing in Europe’s Group A category, the Sierra was a stalwart of late-’80s touring cars (dominating the BTCC, among other series) – and rapidly became a favourite of boy racers everywhere, not least because of its frankly ludicrous whale tail.

Today, the Cosworth (and its rarer RS500 sibling) remains an icon of an era when building several thousand performance cars just to go racing was the done thing.

You can pick up a quartet at Silverstone’s May auction, and one in particular could set a new world record if it makes its top estimate.

Two are pristine Sierra RS Cosworths, the other two...well, you’ll just have to read on.

From plain to insane

Ford launched its thoroughly vanilla Sierra family saloon in 1982, but it wasn’t until the company gained a new head of motorsport that the wagon found its calling.

With Stuart Turner pushing for Ford’s return to motorsport and Cosworth supplying some 15,000 turbocharged motors, the rear-wheel drive Sierra was chosen in 1983 to be the platform to reignite Ford’s fortunes.

Functional bulk

Given free rein to deliver a car that would simultaneously be bold on the street and simple to convert for racing, Ford’s designers served up a Sierra with a vast rear wing, hefty wheel arches and a gaping nose – all necessary for stability at speed.

Despite reluctance from dealers, the Sierra RS Cosworth launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1985.

Homologation special

Some 5500 of the 200bhp upgraded Sierra were built during its six-year production run – and this first entry is one of those 5500.

Finished in 1987, it’s remarkable in many respects – not least by dint of being an original, unrestored and matching-numbers example of the RS in superb running condition. Original but for the twin stainless steel exhaust, that is.

Still got it

Not only does it run, but the Cosworth engine is reported to be in perfect condition too, with excellent performance to this day thanks to a record of regular maintenance.

Likewise, the electricals are all fully functioning and the gearbox is said to be mint – which means this Sierra should theoretically still be good for its on-paper top speed of 149mph.

Dressed to the nines

Similarly, the original bodywork is as it was when the car left the factory, which is no small feat given how popular mad body modifications were for the Sierra.

Professional paint correction and sealing treatment means the white finish is still pristine and gleaming, too, while the trim and interior are almost as good as new.

Minimal mileage

Almost unbelievably, this 30-year-old race-bred special has covered just 3578 miles in its life on the road – making it a truly outstanding example of one of the greatest fast Fords of the 1980s.

And, while its angrier RS500 cousin might be the one everyone remembers, the RS Cosworth was arguably the true homologation machine – making its £40,000 estimate well-deserved.

Original but for a Mongoose

A £40,000 Sierra RS Cosworth isn't unheard of these days, though. And this 1987 example, the second up for auction at Silverstone, is expected to fetch closer to £50,000.

Why? It’s as original as they come, the only non-factory part being a ‘Mongoose’ exhaust fitted after a failure early in the car’s life.

Paper trail

With just 22,700 miles on the clock, what really does it for this Sierra is the log of documents: it’s selling with a complete and comprehensive set of service records, together with the original handbooks, service books and a raft of MOT certificates.

In fact, having been stabled with just three owners in its 30 years on the road, this is a Sierra that’s seen a lot of love.

One to watch

Due to go to auction with new fluids, filters and cambelt, this is a seriously remarkable RS.

Replete in its Moonstone Blue finish, you’ll struggle to find an ‘87 Sierra in such original condition and so lovingly kept, not to mention shipping with such a comprehensive log of its history. There’s every chance £50,000 could be a conservative estimate.

Rare breed

Less conservative is the third Sierra set to sell at Silverstone: this stunning RS500 – one of just 500 ever made.

Having met the homologation requirements for Group A with the RS, Ford was permitted to build an evolution edition – which it did, developing the RS500 to destroy its touring car competition and every other hot hatch going.

Tickford tinkering

All 500 of the race-ready RS500s were hand-built by Aston Martin Tickford, and all sported a competition-spec engine which made the previous RS look positively weedy.

Equipped with a larger turbocharger and intercooler, a second set of fuel injectors and upgraded oil, induction and cooling systems, 224bhp was squeezed out of the 2.0-litre motor – making the RS500 a truly fast Ford, capable of doing 0-60 in 6.1 seconds and maxing out at 154mph.

Properly looked after

Supreme in race trim, the roadgoing RS500 was no slouch, then – which makes finding one that hasn’t been hooned pretty tricky.

This example, then, is seriously noteworthy: with just 12,000 verifiable miles on the clock, it’s been meticulously maintained since new to make it an outstanding vehicle today.

A few careful owners

Stabled with the same owner for some 28 years, to say this RS500 has been well cared for is an understatement.

Besides a log book replete with regular service stamps, it was even kept in temperature-controlled storage in the '90s to ensure it didn’t suffer while its owner and driver was away in the USA.

Gently does it

More recently, a 2016 treatment to the tune of £7000 saw the RS500 recommissioned and gently renovated to preserve and maintain its original character.

As such, it goes to auction in immaculate condition, making a rare '80s legend rarer still.

One big choice

An icon of the ‘80s, the Sierra RS500 Cosworth is as punchy as fast Fords come. To find one in such remarkable condition and with such low mileage? Well, that’s little short of spectacular.

No wonder the lowest estimate for its auction on 19 May is £90,000, then. Of course, the real question remains: if it was yours, would you store it or floor it?

One more Cosworth

Thought it couldn’t get any better? Think again: there’s one more Cosworth going under the hammer at Silverstone – and it’s the rarest of all.

This final Ford is the very first RS500 ever made – a pre-production car that was used in the development of the model.

Not for the market

Finished in 1987, Chassis number one is said to have been built not by Aston Martin at Tickford but by Ford itself – though, as with much of the information surrounding this near-mythical first chassis, little is certain.

What’s also unclear is whether this is the specific RS500 (of four pre-production models) that was crashed and locally repaired in 1988 during development.

Once damaged?

There’s a strong suggestion that it might well be the crashed Cosworth, though the note on its Condition Register was apparently removed at some point. Mysterious indeed.

In any case, it’s certainly been re-shelled at least once in its life, with the suggestion being that the work was carried out by Ford during the development process.

Start of an icon

Either way, Silverstone Auctions has commissioned a full written report into the car's history, to be carried out by a Ford expert with "extensive knowledge of the development of the RS500". They also say it will have a "very positive outcome".

Having spent much of its life abroad in Norway, the Sierra is now back in the UK and in almost entirely unmodified condition – only its stainless steel exhaust, replacement dashboard and that non-factory shell are non-original.

Almost but not quite

All told, it remains a significant – arguably the most significant – fast Ford and definitely one to watch at the Silverstone auction.

Its £90,000 - £120,000 estimate might be higher if it had been kept in pristine condition and with a full documentary record, but once that written report is released even the upper estimate might turn out to be a steal.

And, given that the current record for an RS500 at auction is the £122,400 paid for a model last year, this could even end up surpassing that figure.  

We'll find out one way or the other at Silverstone Auctions' May Sale on 19 May.