Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. In 1986, the original Sierra Cosworth was a new kind of performance car - a blue-collar hero able to humble true sports cars. A couple of years later, Ford introduced the Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth, a more ‘discreet’ version, built using the four-door Sapphire bodyshell, initially with the same rear-wheel drive layout as the three-door original and then later with four-wheel drive, but even with a more restrained exterior, a plush velour interior and an executive four-door shell, the Sapphire was far from dull. The early rear-wheel drive cars benefited from 204bhp from the YBB engine (205 block), a T5 gearbox, 7" x 15" lattice alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, side skirts and Recaro seats, with 0-60mph taking 6. 1 seconds. Despite the extra power and potential for greater traction, the later 4x4 Sapphire was slower to 60mph, reaching the speed in 6. 6 secs. Approximately 13, 140 2WD Sapphire examples were produced during 1988-1989 and all were assembled in Belgium at Ghenk, powered by UK-built Ford-Cosworth engines.
Supplied new by Candor Motors Ltd in Colchester (Dealer Code 44179) on 11th June 1990 to its first keeper, Mr David King, this particular two-wheel drive Sapphire RS Cosworth is finished in Diamond White complemented by a full Raven leather interior. Used sparingly throughout its life the Sapphire, at the time of viewing, had a current recorded mileage of just 19, 173 which, over a period of some 24 years, equates to an annual mileage of less than 800. In superb order throughout, the Cosworth has clearly been maintained as required confirmed by the original service book displaying 11 service stamps. The car's history file and dealer book pack also contains a selection of previous V5Cs, older MOT certificates and tax discs, Vecta immobiliser details and various invoices and associated paperwork. It's recently benefited from four new tyres, however three of the original D40 tyres have been retained but are clearly not now fitted due to age and a new standard fitment exhaust has very recently being sourced and is now in place.
With the availability of a substantial number of aftermarket performance and cosmetic enhancements for these cars, it’s rare to find one with nothing added or nothing taken away, so if you are looking for an unmolested, original RS Cosworth, this is probably one of the worthiest candidates currently available. The lighter and rarer version of the Sapphire, this two-wheel drive example is one for the Ford connoisseur offering its new owner entry into the exclusive world of RS ownership and with that in mind, we welcome and encourage your early inspection to satisfy yourself as to the suitability of this increasingly desirable Cosworth.
