1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

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 in arguably the model’s best and most desirable colour. With just 32,000 miles indicated back in 1989, it was purchased by two close friends who used it only on dry days and very infrequently, adding a further 18,000 miles before it was placed into warm, dry storage in 1993. The friends have recently uncovered their beloved Cosworth from that closeted environment and rolled it out into the daylight. 'Wow, it was amazing, just like we parked her up yesterday; even that famous Cossie smell was still present!'. Thinking it wise to recommission the car, to bring it back to life properly, it was sent to a master mechanic and Cosworth expert where all mechanical components were removed, stripped, examined and rebuilt where necessary, including the engine, using genuine OEM parts as required. The fuel tank and rear exhaust section were replaced with Graham Goode parts, whilst the radiator is a Radtec of Cannock upgraded part. The wheels have been professionally refurbished and a set of new/old stock Dunlop D40 tyres fitted. The friends describe the paintwork as exceptional, and understand it to be wholly original.

This special Ford is accompanied by numerous old MOT Certificates and paperwork, helping to corroborate the very conservative 50,000 miles indicted, plus its original / stamped Ford service booklet.

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' ensured that it was always meant to be a poster boy of the time, but with their values now reaching such amazing levels – Iconic Auctioneers (formally Silverstone Auctions) sold a Moonstone example with 8,795 miles in November 2022 for £132,750 – where do we see this car, estimated at well under half as much as our record-holder? You will not be disappointed.