1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

A new era of performance car was launched at the RS Cosworth’s unveiling in July 1986, one of very few genuinely identifiable racing icons, approachable and unpretentious. 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. 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 new body kit and rear spoiler would sort out the lift issues but, more importantly, Ford still needed to build 5,000 units for homologation, 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 went on to sell 5,545 three-door cars including the RS500, of which only 500 were built, and the Cosworth engine also found its way into nearly 30,000 Ford Sierra Saloons, the Cosworth 3dr and Sapphire 2wd and 4wd variants.

The UK was naturally a strong market for the RS Cosworth and online sources state 1,653 were registered here. The following decades, however, saw few cars survive unscathed from the clutches of joy riders, whether insured or not, and the winter commuting of early owners. Some were used to re-shell damaged RS500 racers and others were more heavily modified. Nice, honest, RS Cosworths from long term ownership are therefore incredibly rare, and highly collectable today. We have witnessed the performance Ford market mature into an enthusiast led sector, and whilst we can claim some credit for headline grabbing results, we share the owner-driver’s passion for good, usable cars. As such it is a pleasure to offer a car like this to auction.

Although first registered on 26th March 1987 it was the next day that saw the long term ownership begin, when it was registered to the second and current keeper on 27th March 1987 as D470 RTT. In 1999, the private registration number SPE 11R was issued and remained on the car until 2020, reverting back to the original number thereafter.

Presented to auction in a simply fabulous condition and recently serviced, the history file includes the original manuals and service book sheathed in the blue plastic folder of the period, alongside historic receipts, copy period logbook and current V5C confirming long-term ownership. Correctly stored whilst off the road during the 2000s, the car’s MOT history shows incremental increases in mileage from 2014 and the current advisory-free certificate was issued at 74,990 miles, valid until 19th April 2024.