1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

The Ford Sierra RS was the first Ford to carry the Cosworth name. Production started at Genk, Belgium in June 1986, but the concept went back to Brands Hatch in 1982. Walter Hayes and Stuart Turner watched Rover dominate the touring car race supporting the British Grand Prix. Ford Cosworth engines powered fourteen of the Formula1 cars on the grid but they both agreed it would be nice to see a Ford saloon winning again, especially a Sierra. It was not until the summer of 1983 when Turner was conducting a tour for Ford USA personnel around Cosworth Engineering in Northampton, highlighting the Grand Prix DFY engine, that the 'moment' emerged. He noticed a 16-valve Sierra motor Cosworth had developed privately. The decision thereafter to use a turbo was crucial as it would power the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth to total dominance in European Touring cars and in other motorsport events around the world. Turbocharging left BMW and Mercedes vying at best for class wins, importantly Ford Sierras were first over the finishing line.

Cosworth was founded by Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth and is most famous for the design and introduction of the Cosworth DFV Formula One engine. In June 1967, Graham Hill put a Lotus Cosworth on pole at Zandvoort. Somewhat dryly, at a earlier test at Snetterton, he had proclaimed it to 'have some poke'! Jim Clark gave the Cosworth engine its maiden win at that Dutch Grand Prix. The Cosworth DFV would dominate Formula One for over fifteen years. Fords investment in Cosworth was a masterstroke and started one of the most successful brand partnerships in motorsport.

Offered here is the sixth production Sierra Cosworth which was the sole transport of co-founder Mike Costin for many years. Most appropriately, it has resided in the reception area of Cosworth for nearly fifteen years. It has covered only 63,500 miles, is completely standard and even retains an original mild steel exhaust. Naturally, this is a very significant Sierra RS Cosworth and comes with all previous logbooks types endorsing the ownership and a letter of authenticity from Cosworth.

Silverstone Auctions are proud to have the opportunity to be involved with the sale of this fantastic Sierra RS Cosworth, a car that truly spawned and defined touring car racing in the eighties. Because of its associated history, this Sierra RS Cosworth represents 'real genetics' and must be the pinnacle road RS Cosworth.