1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

At its introduction in 1982, the Sierra's revolutionary new shape proved a touch more divisive than Ford had anticipated and some serious marketing became a priority, so it was the obvious choice to become the platform for Ford's new competition aspirations in conjunction with Cosworth. It fitted the brief well as it was rear-wheel drive, had good aerodynamics, albeit being prone to lift at high speeds, and was available as a three-door.

The original Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was the first Ford to wear the Cosworth badge and was presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1985. It was introduced as a means of homologating the Sierra for Group A Touring Car racing, with a requirement that 5,000 cars were built and sold - somewhat worrying when the company's initial approach to the dealer network came back with an estimate that suggested they could sell around 1,500 units! The eventual sales record is, of course, history, Ford going on to sell 5,545 three-door cars (including the RS500, of which only 500 were built).

Launched for sale in July 1986, and based on the three-door Sierra bodyshell, it was designed by Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) and was powered by a Cosworth-designed 2-litre turbo engine of now-legendary repute. At this time, the Sierra Cosworth was a new kind of performance car - a 'blue-collar hero' able to humble true sports cars!

The car presented here is a 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth which was discovered a few years ago by our vendor near Le Mans, in France. It was a remarkable example, owned from new by the same person and refreshingly original with just over 42,000 miles covered and an enviable service history. Accompanied by its original book pack and associated paperwork, this extremely honest 'Cossie' has real potential if showing your car at events is on your agenda. Our vendor couldn’t resist the opportunity to buy it, and duly imported it into the UK and it's now registered here as D465 UUJ. It has been fully serviced whilst with our vendor and drives/performs just as you would hope from such an unspoilt example.

With Fords of this era, ‘originality' is the key word, frequently misused but in the case of this car, totally appropriate, and any inspection is welcomed. The Cosworth has always been a car to draw attention. Its radical 'whale tail' at the time ensured that it was always meant to be a poster boy of the time, but with their values now reaching such amazing levels – Silverstone Auctions sold a Moonstone example with 8,795 miles in November 2022 for £132,750 – where do we see this car, guided at well under half as much as our record holder? You will not be disappointed.