1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

Number 451 of 500 with 12,000 verifiable miles and two previous keepers from new

Genuine and unmolested condition

Recent full recommissioning by an RS500 specialist

Continuous service history and original books

The most revered of all Cosworth cars… the legendary RS500

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. Launched for sale in July 1986, and based on the three-door Sierra body-shell, it was designed by Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) and was powered by a Cosworth-designed 2.0-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!

In total 5,545 cars were produced - of which 500 were sent to Aston Martin Tickford for conversion to the Sierra RS500 Cosworth. If the RS Cosworth was a homologation car, the RS500 was an evolution special. Once Ford had built the requisite 5,000 RS Cosworths, Group A rules allowed an upgraded 'evolution' model to be launched. This could carry changes focused on improving its racing potential, provided Ford sold 10% of the original number as road cars, hence the 500. The RS500 was announced in July 1987 and had a mechanically uprated Cosworth engine (more similar to the one to be used in competition), with power boosted to 224bhp, upgraded brakes, modified bodywork and the caché of being hand-assembled - the RS500 really is the ultimate 1980's Fast Ford! Indeed, during the models 30th anniversary year in 2017, the RS500 was named the Ultimate Cosworth by one of the UKs biggest one-make car shows.

The car presented here is a 1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, build number 451 (out of 500), which has covered just 12,021 miles from new. It is one of the rarer RS500s produced in Diamond White paintwork (392 cars were Black, 56 were Diamond White and 52 were Moonstone Blue), with most white examples being the obvious choice to convert into race-cars, adding to their rarity and appeal today. This very special example, having exceptionally low and verifiable mileage, has had just two previous keepers, and has remained in completely standard and unrestored condition.

The car was supplied new by Johnsons Ford of Gainsborough on 18th August 1987 to Mr Reginald Ward of Wimborne in Dorset. In 1988, having covered 2,000 miles, it was bought by Mr Anthony Gee, who owned it for the next 28 years! He used it sparingly up until 1995 when he emigrated to the United States. Such was his attachment to the car that, whilst away, he ensured it was placed into climate-controlled storage to preserve its condition before it was shipped out to join him in the US in 2000. The car was again stored exceptionally well in private garaging, but was not used due to the difficulties of registering such a vehicle at this time in the US. In 2016, Mr Gee decided to return the car to the UK for sale, with there being a more limited market for an RS500 on the other side of the Atlantic. At this time, to ensure the Cosworth was at its absolute best, he entrusted it to Graham Goode Racing, the renowned RS500 specialist, for a light renovation and a full recommission/service, costing almost £7,000. The car was purchased by our Ford-enthusiast vendor in 2016 to form part of his private and select collection but, due to a change of circumstances, he is now reluctantly selling his highly-prized RS500.

The cars low and dutiful ownership sees nine stamps in the original service book - at 551 miles (10.11.87), 1,100 miles (8.2.88), 1.728 miles (16.8.88), 4,449 miles (6.4.89), 5,600 miles (4.12.89), 8,251 miles (21.11.90), 9,582 miles (3.6.91), 11,062 miles (3.6.91) and at 11,998 miles (23.6.17) (following long-term storage). To add further reassurance, there are MoT Certificates from September 2000 at 11,826 miles, June 2016 at 11,998 miles and August 2017 at 12,014 miles.

The cars overall condition is wholly commensurate with its low mileage, careful ownership and sympathetic recommissioning and it's supplied with the original service book, handbook, audiobook, and RS500 supplement.

Silverstone Auctions have been privileged to sell just a handful of RS500s with this sort of low mileage and provenance, always attracting much attention, and with good reason, as the mix is so potent. This is an extremely rare and highly revered model that epitomises the era, enjoys a dedicated following and has a formidable motorsport legacy - all being vital factors which wont diminish over time. This lovely Cosworth is in the sort of condition that only comes with very low mileage and ownership, and is simply not to be missed.