1987 Ford Sierra RS500 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 their Sierra model for 'Group A' Touring Car racing, with a requirement that 5,000 cars were built and sold.

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 turbocharged engine of now-legendary repute. At the time, the Sierra Cosworth was a new kind of performance car - a 'blue-collar hero' able to humble true sports cars and was approachable and (almost) affordable for a family man. In total, 5,545 cars were produced, of which 500 were sent to Aston Martin Tickford for conversion to the Sierra RS500 Cosworth. Once Ford had built the requisite 5,000 RS Cosworths, 'Group A' rules allowed an upgraded 'Evolution' model to be launched which featured further developments focused on improving its racing potential, provided Ford sold 10% of the original number as road cars, hence the 500. If the RS Cosworth was an 'homologation special', the RS500 could rightfully wear the 'Evo' hat, offering serious 'street cred' and with 224bhp, upgraded brakes, modified bodywork, dramatic spoilers and the cachet of being hand-assembled, the RS500 really is the ultimate 1980s Fast Ford!

Iconic Auctioneers are proud to be offering this RS500 having known this car and its owner since 1987. Used solely by him until early 202, and with personal links to Ford and its advertising agency, Ogilvy and Mather, it offers a fascinating back story and most recently a full mechanical and bodywork rebuild by a marque specialist. The history file contains a full account with a comprehensive photographic record of the work and the relevant invoices. The file also contains details of the cars maintenance throughout its life with 14 stamps in the service record up to 93,343 miles and invoices from DS Purcell of Charlton Horethorne for subsequent attention.

As a high flying advertising executive handling Ford's publicity in the 1980s, it was only fitting to have a company car. Not your average Ford 'smoker', but one of the most desirable cars of the period as race teams and the like clambered for the limited number of RS' available. Within the history file is a copy of the general letter circulated to all Dealer Principals noting that the RS500 was to be launched on July 22nd, making our August 1987 car an early registration by Godfrey Davis Contract Hire prior to being delivered to Ogilvy and Mather and onward to our owner. It pleasingly still wears the same number plates to this day.

Some 47,000 miles later, in 1991, the RS500 was purchased by him personally from the company (£12,160.00 original invoice on file) with much of the subsequent mileage accumulated on frequent trips to Switzerland. The odometer now displays 97,260 miles with only a few hundred of these since the major rebuild in 2018. Unlike many RS500s, this lovely Sierra never had the ubiquitous period alarm fitted and pleasingly lacks the inevitable mounting brackets and holes, meaning everything is correct within the engine bay, matched by the underside which looks 'factory fresh'. The current MOT is valid until 2nd February 2026.

It's accompanied by its original Ford RS500 launch brochure, unique one-owner timeline, Paul Linfoot rebuild invoices, fascinating period correspondence, a Godfrey Davis AA Members Book and remarkably, its original AA Box key. 

This is an RS500 to be used and enjoyed, just like its long-term owner has done for many years.