1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500

Just 500 extra special examples of the 150mph, Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth went on sale in Britain on August 1st 1987. This more powerful 'Evolution' model was introduced to allow Ford to develop the original production run of 5,000 needed to allow the Sierra RS Cosworth to be homologated for International Touring Car Racing in 'Group A' and Aston Martin at Tickford were assigned to convert the 500 cars. Work included upgrading engines to 224bhp (with the potential to exceed 400bhp with extra boost in race trim), numerous aerodynamic enhancements including a 30mm lip spoiler applied directly to the rear edge of the tailgate to increase rear downforce. New and larger cooling ducts for both the brakes and the engine intercooler were added at the front in addition to a larger and more effective chin spoiler, known as a 'splitter'. The car was only available through 90 nominated RS specialist dealers and was sold for the price of £19,950.

Build no. 260 has covered 47,000 miles from new and comes with a well-documented service history with all books, manuals, sets of keys etc. No. 260 has also been extensively modified and has experienced significant expenditure during its life, and these modifications have resulted in a fabulously quick, but docile and predictable road car. The car's interior looks to be in excellent condition. with sag free Recaro trim, excellent bolsters and a crack free dash. The only non-standard fittings in the interior are the Vi-Pec display and air/fuel monitors that sit where the clock would have been beneath the 'clean hands' warning lamp and a modern CD head unit.

Our vendor originally purchased this vehicle last year from its previous owner who, in his ten years of ownership, had cherished the car and spent significant amounts on it, including fitting a lot of the Spec-R parts listed below. The car did not require any re-commissioning work under our vendor's ownership as it had been regularly started and used, and in recent times had been looked after by ex Mountune man, Paul Hills latterly of Engine Advantages. Our vendor recently took the vehicle to Mark Shead at M.A. Developments for a health check and setting up session. Whilst the car was giving a strong 380bhp, it was suffering from 'turbo surge', and whilst that output would have been enough for many people, the engine clearly needed setting up. The car was then taken to Mark at M.A. Developments with a 'free hand' to do whatever he thought was necessary to realize the engine's potential. A few thousand pounds later, with Vi-Pec management, properly matched inlet and exhaust cams, and the most sophisticated of electronic monitoring and boost control equipment, the vehicle is giving a very real, 442 bhp and 398 lb/ft, all set up by Mark Shead, and fully dyno proven. The RS has covered less than 1,000 miles since this work was carried out. It's well known that many Cosworths have had 'blips' in their history and this lovely car is no exception. No. 260 left Tickford in August 1987 as a Black RS500 and records show that the car had a colour change to White in 1993. Thanks to the extensive history file, our vendor was able to trace back and talk to the owner of the car when this change took place, and it transpires that in 1993 the vehicle suffered a fuel tank fire, badly damaging the rear end and the owner, sadly, was only insured 'Third Party'. Reluctantly, the car was sold on to a private buyer, who paid to have the vehicle re-shelled with a brand new white Ford shell in April 1993 at 33,000 miles. Therefore, this is not one of the 52 'factory produced', White RS500s. It must be stated that the vehicle was not subject to an insurance claim and is not recorded.

17 years later, the car has only travelled a further 14,000 miles. The shell utilised is reported to be a Ford production shell and our vendor reports that this is evident from the extensive yellow 'Waxoyling' in the cavities, everywhere you look on all panels. If you are keen on finding an immaculate, tight, high performance cherished RS500 that has just won an award for the best Cosworth at Essen 2016, then this car ticks all of the boxes.

The Specification includes:•Vi-Pec V88 engine management running 8 green Bosch 803 injectors. •Air/Fuel monitor with lambda sensor and in-car display•Piper BP270 inlet cam with BD8 exhaust cam and adjustable alloy vernier pulleys•Group A (Bosch 044) fuel pump with braided pipework and red/blue anodised aluminium alloy fittings•AP Racing Calipers with 13" diameter discs and all braided pipework•Brand new drilled/grooved rear discs with EBC Red Stuff uprated pads•Brand new Gaz Gold Coilover suspension - Standard ride height•Suspension poly-bushed throughout•Unmarked TSW Hockenheim R 17" alloys with as new Pirelli P7000s all round•GGR stainless steel exhaust system

•Spec-R Parts:

alloy wastegate actuator, alloy dump valve with braided pipework, alloy header tank, windscreen washer / water injection tank, alloy swirl pot, rose jointed alloy turbo damper, alloy power steering fluid reservoir with braided pipework and alloy fittings, alloy strut brace, Group A crankcase breather system and oil catch tank with braided pipework and anodised alloy fittings.

•PACE:

alloy radiator with silicon hoses, alloy intercooler with silicon hoses, charge cooler with separate radiator to cool the turbo return water