1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4

In 1988 Ford launched the Sapphire Cosworth, which was a little more discreet than previous Sierra Cosworths. As the name suggests, it was based on the Sapphire saloon and used the existing 1993cc Cosworth twin-cam turbo. In January 1990, the third generation Sierra RS Cosworth was launched, this time with four-wheel drive. As early as 1987, Mike Moreton and Ford Motorsport had been talking about a four-wheel drive Sierra RS Cosworth that could make Ford competitive in the World Rally Championship, however, Ford Motorsport's desire for a 3-door "Motorsport Special" equivalent to the original Sierra RS Cosworth was not embraced. The more discreet 4-door version was considered to have a better marketing potential and it was therefore decided that the new car should be a natural development of the second generation, to be launched in conjunction with the facelift scheduled for the entire Sierra line in 1990. Launched to huge acclaim, the 4x4 RS Cosworth was superseded by the Mondeo in 1992, which brings us neatly to this immaculate example presented here.

This is no ordinary 1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4. It has been rebuilt from the ground up and has been significantly upgraded and re-engineered at a cost of approximately £79,000. The odometer was not reset during this process and the car has covered just 22,000 miles. The specification says it all really:

Engine: 380bhp and 360lb/ft torque with adjustable turbo boost from a blueprinted standard YB 16 valve 4-cylinder unit, one piece billet high-lift crankshaft, forged racing pistons and piston rings; Group A aluminium gas-flowed cylinder head complete with oversize titanium valves, high-lift racing camshafts, Group A green top injectors, hybrid ceramic racing turbocharger running 1.5 bar

Lightweight Shell with a full Sparco race roll-cage - 8 x matching alloy wheels - 4xrace and 4xroad Toyo 888 tyres. - New stainless exhaust throughout - Fully heat-wrapped turbo heat bag.

Brakes: Front AP Racing 380mm discs and 6-pot Calipers with reinforced braided hoses. Rear AP Racing Brake Discs; uprated Ford high-output calipers with reinforced braided hoses

Transmission: standard Ford gearbox and differential with uprated internals.

Interior: Sparco carbon-fibre race-seats and 4-point harnesses, Momo Steering wheel and Boss Cat 1 immobiliser. Complete fire extinguisher system including engine bay foot-wells and rear boot coverage. Race petrol tank, foam filled, fuel pumps, swirl pot, and reinforced high-pressure fuel lines 'Group A' ECU management system, external and internal battery isolator switches.

The whole idea was to create a very fast, road legal, track-day machine, but it's never really been used to its full potential, as our vendor has just been too busy since buying it two years ago. If you are in the market for a 'standard-looking' Cosworth 4x4 that's effectively a 'Group A Touring Car' for the road then look no further and, at this guide, you might need to form an orderly queue.