Highlights
- In current ownership for 31 years
- Impressive history file
- Stored in a dehumidified garage
The Appeal
To people of a certain age group, the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth needs no introduction whatsoever.
Named for the collaboration between Ford’s motorsport department and the legendary engine builders at Cosworth, it homologated the Group A touring car that has become a symbol of the BTCC’s most powerful era to date (not to mention its overseas circuit success everywhere from Germany and Belgium to Japan and Australia). The platform also made for a rather handy rally car in the right hands, just for good measure – this duality truly putting it in the same sphere as the Escort mk.1 and Lotus Cortina.
As well as being an iconic racing car, the road-going counterpart also became a staple of the naughtier side of British car culture, which appreciated everything from its value for money to its ‘whale tail’ wing and the realisation that the Cosworth YBD is very receptive to being tuned…
Named for the collaboration between Ford’s motorsport department and the legendary engine builders at Cosworth, it homologated the Group A touring car that has become a symbol of the BTCC’s most powerful era to date (not to mention its overseas circuit success everywhere from Germany and Belgium to Japan and Australia). The platform also made for a rather handy rally car in the right hands, just for good measure – this duality truly putting it in the same sphere as the Escort mk.1 and Lotus Cortina.
As well as being an iconic racing car, the road-going counterpart also became a staple of the naughtier side of British car culture, which appreciated everything from its value for money to its ‘whale tail’ wing and the realisation that the Cosworth YBD is very receptive to being tuned…
This particular ‘Cossie’ has its own little bit of competition pedigree, having been evolved over time into a tool for track days and club-level sprinting events, but at its core it remains a well-loved, rock-solid example of one of the finest ‘Fast Fords’ there has ever been.
The History and Paperwork
- Five owners from new; first registered August 1986
- Current owner has owned the car for 31 years
- V5 present; car is currently SORN as it’s been stored for ~15 years
- Five-digit odometer known to have been around the clock once
- Huge folder includes early main-dealer service stamps, plus invoices for maintenance and modifications
The Interior
- Interior stripped to save weight, but retaining original dash and door cards
- Motorsport-grade bucket seats, bolt-in rollcage, integrated data logger
- Sparco upgrades include seats, pedals, gear lever
Once the seller started using their Cosworth for track days, the slippery slope of steadily more serious upgrading began. One result of this is a stripped-and-caged interior, but the dashboard, door cards and headlining were all left in place and remain in excellent condition all around. The bare metal shows some surface marks from where things have been removed, but you can see how tidy it is for yourself.
It is worth noting at this point that the original stereo, centre air vents and digital clock have been replaced with additional gauges and performance meters including a programmable shift light and a data-logging system to let you see your own telemetry after a run. Their carbonfibre surrounds only add to the sense of purpose. Elsewhere, the proud red seats are Sparco Evo buckets that were good enough when new for FIA motorsport certification (since elapsed) and these too show no meaningful signs of wear, nor do the Simpson harnesses running through them.
The steering wheel rim has been reupholstered in black suede for better grip with racing gloves on and this also remains in fine shape. The rollcage, meanwhile, is a bolt-in item that would be straightforward to remove if the next owner should want to return the car to stock for increased market value.
The steering wheel rim has been reupholstered in black suede for better grip with racing gloves on and this also remains in fine shape. The rollcage, meanwhile, is a bolt-in item that would be straightforward to remove if the next owner should want to return the car to stock for increased market value.
The Exterior
- Bodyshell in excellent condition
- Speedline lightweight track wheels
- Uprated exhaust with custom fitted heat shield
The car’s exterior presents as largely original, save for some quick-release pins at the front and a set of racy five-spoke Speedline alloys on high-performance tyres beneath the arches. The paintwork remains in very good condition having sat indoors away from the weather for around 15 years and the white-on-white look suits this ‘80s icon down to the ground as it positively radiates with character. Hinting at the performance upgrades within is an enlarged exhaust nestling under a professionally custom-made heat shield to protect the close-fitting bumper from melting in intense conditions.
The front fenders are replacement items after a minor off at Goodwood Circuit many years ago (the seller assures us that this was the extent of the damage, so nothing structural), but otherwise the outside of the car remains in very good condition all around with only a small crack above the passenger-side headlight and a paint chip on the passenger-side wheel to speak of blemish-wise.
The Mechanics
- Uprated by an ex BTCC engineer who amongst other racing cars worked on the RS500 Sierras, Escort Cosworths and Super Touring Mondeos
- AP Racing brakes, adjustable suspension
- Power output estimated to be 325bhp (early-year Cosworths were originally rated at 205hp)
Whilst the seller had to park-up their Sierra RS many years ago, they have kept a dehumidifier in the garage with it and routinely started-up the car’s engine, letting it warm through to keep it in good shape and prevent the block from suffering any chronic deterioration. On the day of our shoot it started-up straight away with no smoke, manoeuvring around the area without any issue – and the performance exhaust sounds terrific as well!
We are also told that if the buyer should want to seize a financial opportunity with this car, then it would take a straightforward process and an estimated £6000 to return this car to a standard, original-spec machine, at which point a collector out there would then be prepared to pay quite a lot more than its current market value in order to add it to their own garage. As mentioned above, the rollcage can simply be unbolted, while all the mods under the bonnet and arches are reversible too.
If, by contrast, you want to use the car as it is, then it’s worth noting that modified builds below 400bhp are generally considered to still make for reliable engines – so with the proper maintenance it won’t give any unpleasant surprises on your next track day.
Summary
This Sierra RS Cosworth can be taken in two directions. You can either take the originalist approach and ‘restore’ the car, or you can pick up where the previous, long-term owner left off and use it for having huge amounts of fun at venues near and far (the adjustable suspension can be set soft for road journeys).
But whether you’re at a circuit or a classics show, you will all the while be drawing admiring glances from onlookers whether they’re ‘80s kids having a nostalgia trip, or petrolhead youths who just think a car with a wing this big and that many air vents must be dead cool. In any case, values of a model as important to its maker’s history and car culture at large as the Cossie will only be heading in one direction.
But whether you’re at a circuit or a classics show, you will all the while be drawing admiring glances from onlookers whether they’re ‘80s kids having a nostalgia trip, or petrolhead youths who just think a car with a wing this big and that many air vents must be dead cool. In any case, values of a model as important to its maker’s history and car culture at large as the Cossie will only be heading in one direction.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
