1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth #012

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 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. 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 cachet of being hand-assembled - the RS500 really is the ultimate 1980's Fast Ford! Indeed, during the model's 30th anniversary year in 2017, the RS500 was named the 'Ultimate Cosworth' by one of the UK's biggest one-make car shows.

The car presented here is 1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth (AMT #012 of 500/chassis #GG38602) in black, being just the second RS500 despatched from Tickford on 22nd June 1987. Registered D62 XVX, it was to be one of three examples to be used for ‘Press Appraisal’ i.e. a Ford press and publicity car. Iconic Auctioneers were honoured to sell another such example in 2023, registered D64 XVX, which achieved £140,000.

#012 was paraded not only at the launch of the RS500 in the UK but all over Europe, as documented in numerous magazines articles and paperwork. Unsurprisingly, due to its significance, #012 was previously owned by Martin Thomas, the former RSOC RS500 Registrar. Martin and his wife Julie are real Ford aficionados and amassed a huge amount of history, provenance and press material surrounding #012 – all of which accompanies the car, in numerous files and dossier-type folders. Fascinatingly, they managed to find a period press image of Peter Collins, the manager of Team Benneton (whose F1 cars were powered by Ford), standing with the car promoting Cellnet car phones; supposedly, at this time, Benetton were responsible for #012, servicing and maintaining it (and rumour-has-it, ‘breathing on it...’) to their high standards.

After #012 had completed its press duties, it was offered for sale at a Ford Motor Company auction, when it was purchased by the first of its Ford-enthusiast owners, subsequently being bought, loved and showed at numerous RS events by Martin and Julie Thomas, winning multiple Concours events and featuring in magazines over their years of dutiful ownership. In 2006, #012 was even invited to London to share in the convoy of significant and best of breed vehicles, amassed to help celebrate the 80th birthday of HM The Queen.

The car is as good and as significant as you’d want from any RS500, coming to auction from another Ford devotee who has maintained the originality, condition and mechanical health of #012 since he bought it some years ago.

Without doubt, a special example of the legendary RS500 which is highly regarded within the Ford community. This is a real opportunity to become a member of very exclusive club of RS500 owners at an attractive guide price.