1988 Ford Sapphire Cosworth 2WD

This is a 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth (2WD) and is in super original, unmolested condition. First registered on 2^nd December 1988, this superb Moonstone Blue example has covered just under 34,000 miles with only two previous owners (both within the same family). A combination of diligent ownership (without extensive modification), minimal use and sheer preservation, now means this Fast Ford is in collector-quality condition.

In 1988, the car’s original owner kept it for two years, covering some 15,000 miles, before selling it to a 60-year-old politician, who only used it on special occasions. Upon sadly passing away aged 73, he passed the car onto his son, a garage-owner and mechanic (supported by a letter in the car’s history file). The son maintained the car, only driving it a handful of times to attend some car shows, it mostly being tucked away in dry storage, covered up and only retrieved out for the occasional clean and polish. Having been in the same family for 30 years, the car was subsequently sold in 2021 to our Ford-enthusiast vendor, who fully appreciated its low mileage, wholesomeness, and sheer originality. To wholly ensure this was the case, prior to buying, he had it inspected, and sure enough, the paint was factory-consistent on all panels. Likewise, the panels themselves were straight and true, whilst the wheels and exterior trim were all in original condition, with the spare wheel and jack having never been used. The interior also was in a fine state of preservation, without the regularly seen bolster wear or dashboard cracking. A very fine place to be to experience one of best analogue driving experience of the last 40 years, the 2WD making this all the more visceral.

Keen to get the car back up to full health, he spent just over £5,000 to recommission it, including a full service, timing belt discs and pads to the front and rear, new track control arm bushes and drop links, fuel regulator, OEM Graham Goode exhaust system, handbrake cables and new brake calipers on all four corners. The car was now in excellent order, with everything that needed to be done attended to. In standard form, the red-top non-CAT Cosworth engine of the 2WD Sapphires produces 201bhp, with this car benefiting from a (fully reversible) Stage 1 ECU chip upgrade, helping the fuelling, whilst also giving a modest power increase to 248bhp. Having been a proud custodian of this special Ford, with it covering a meagre 200 miles or so since 2018, our vendor has decided to sell it to allow for the purchase of another car.

The car comes with previous MOT certificates, plus its handbooks and service booklet. Two sets of keys are included, with the spare key in as-new condition. There are some invoices for work carried out, including the recommissioning work.

If you are looking for an unmolested original RS Cosworth, this is probably one of the worthiest candidates currently available; the lighter and rarer version of the Sapphire, this example is one for the Ford Connoisseur. Offered at an attractive price guide, giving the new recipient membership into the exclusive club of RS ownership.