TWO ‘ULTIMATE’ FORD COSWORTHS UP FOR AUCTION ALONG WITH AN UNUSED YBD ENGINE - THE COSWORTHS MIGHTY POWERPLANT!
29th January 2024
he DJH Ford Collection comprises two very special Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 road cars and, quite possibly a unique RS500 YBD engine. These three lots are all highly significant Ford consignments with both cars and the engine are noteworthy in different ways.
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. Iconic Auctioneers have secured a formidable reputation when it comes to the RS500, selling 23 examples of this very special and rare model, culminating in achieving £596,250 for an RS500 in 2023 – a new Auction World Record by some margin.
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. Iconic Auctioneers have secured a formidable reputation when it comes to the RS500, selling 23 examples of this very special and rare model, culminating in achieving £596,250 for an RS500 in 2023 – a new Auction World Record by some margin.
1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth #406. Estimate £85,000 - £100,000
First up from the DJH Ford Collection, is this exceptional RS500 (AMT #406 of 500/chassis #GG 38981) in Moonstone Blue, the rarest of colours and one of only 52 such examples ever produced and benefitting from a recent £25,000 engine rebuild. Despatched from Tickford on 3rd August 1987, first registered as E202 DFV on 28th August 1987, and sold new through Bradshaws (Ford) of Preston to its first owner in Northamptonshire.
Restored to a near-concours condition, the then-owner liked to trailer it to shows, driving it less than 50 miles during the next five years. The mileage now, supported by invoices and MOT Certificates, is a highly conservative 54,230.
Restored to a near-concours condition, the then-owner liked to trailer it to shows, driving it less than 50 miles during the next five years. The mileage now, supported by invoices and MOT Certificates, is a highly conservative 54,230.
Wanting the car mechanically as good as its bodywork, our vendor entrusted Jim Stokes Workshops of Hampshire with a full engine rebuild. The process was exacting, costing c.£25,000 and was fully documented in invoices, plus dozens of photos and a video (all in the accompanying history file). The engine is now in superb condition, run-in with around 1,000 miles covered and the gearbox was also given a thorough overhaul, making the drivetrain perform as well as you’d hope.
1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth #266. Estimate: £75,000 - £85,000
The second car from the DJH Ford Collection is this 1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth (AMT #266 of 500/chassis #GG 39092) in Black, despatched from Tickford on 21st July 1987 to Hendy Ford of Southampton for sale, and first registered on 1st August 1987 as E500 JOR. Its first owner deciding on leasing it from the dealership, hence the original keeper is recorded as Hendy Lennox Leasing Ltd. Pleasingly, E500 JOR still wears its original Hendy Ford number plates, a rare Cosworth bonnet sticker, passenger footwell fire extinguisher, rear blinds, boot floor catch-net and (unused) parcel shelf and First Aid kit all still in situ - these items were fitted by Hendy Ford for reaching their sales quota. From a 34-year ownership, meticulously maintained and cherished.
Over the decades, E500 JOR was used and enjoyed, as these cars are meant to be, making trips around the UK and Europe. Always garaged, maintained and crucially, kept original, E500 JOR survives today as quite possibly one of the most original, genuine and unmolested RS500s we have ever offered for sale. The vendor has always ensured that the timing belts were routinely replaced, and the car regularly serviced, and this regular care has ensured that it has never needed an engine rebuild, painting or welding. It feels and looks all the better for it, not Concours obviously, but with a sincerity which is impossible to replicate.
E500 JOR has now covered a conservative mileage of just 60,197, supported, quite remarkably, by every single MOT Certificate since July 1990 and is in amazingly original and wholesome condition – testament to having only ever had two owners, the second for almost 35 years.
Trying to find classics cars like E500 JOR is getting much harder, let alone examples as rare and as sought-after as an RS500; what an opportunity this is, decades of care from a dedicated owner lavished on a car that is considered a 'high-water mark' in Ford’s enviable back-catalogue.
E500 JOR has now covered a conservative mileage of just 60,197, supported, quite remarkably, by every single MOT Certificate since July 1990 and is in amazingly original and wholesome condition – testament to having only ever had two owners, the second for almost 35 years.
Trying to find classics cars like E500 JOR is getting much harder, let alone examples as rare and as sought-after as an RS500; what an opportunity this is, decades of care from a dedicated owner lavished on a car that is considered a 'high-water mark' in Ford’s enviable back-catalogue.
1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth #266. Estimate: £75,000 - £85,000
Also from the 'DJH Ford Collection', an original, unused/uninstalled factory bench-tested RS500 engine; 'automotive art' or as a spare, either way it's magnificent. #YBD 0626 was designed and built for an RS500 road car. Tested and signed off by Cosworth, confirmed by a tag, it's understood to be one of the very last YBD engines to leave the factory. We understand that it has always been complete (i.e. never as separate components), has never been apart, rebuilt nor ever installed into a car, being sat on its plinth since manufacture. All the factory elements appear to be present and correct, the stampings included, even down to the original FRAM oil filter!
Meticulously kept - in pride of place even - alongside his two RS500 cars, it has been owned by the vendor for last 14 years. He sourced it from an ex-pat Ford aficionado living in Malta who had acquired it previously in the UK (some 6 years before). Rumour has it that only a handful of unused YBD engines still exist. For the serious collector or enthusiast, this 'jewel' of an engine is supplied with a bespoke glass display case and is now ready to be appreciated by its next custodian; what an opportunity.
Meticulously kept - in pride of place even - alongside his two RS500 cars, it has been owned by the vendor for last 14 years. He sourced it from an ex-pat Ford aficionado living in Malta who had acquired it previously in the UK (some 6 years before). Rumour has it that only a handful of unused YBD engines still exist. For the serious collector or enthusiast, this 'jewel' of an engine is supplied with a bespoke glass display case and is now ready to be appreciated by its next custodian; what an opportunity.
This is a real opportunity to acquire what is considered the ‘ultimate Cosworth’ plus an example of its legendary power plant, the mighty YBD, in ‘as-it-left-the-factory’ condition.
More information about these Cosworths along with a further selection of over 100 competition and collectors’ car coming to auction at the Race Retro Sale on 23rd & 24th February, can be found online at www.iconicauctioneers.com. Viewing of all lots will be available before the auction commences and bidding is available on the auction day both in the room, online, over the phone or via a commission bid.
Iconic Auctioneers are a world-class, specialist auction house for the sale of classic, competition, modern and collectors' cars; modern and historic motorcycles, as well as automobilia and collectibles. A full list of their notable sales and auction world records can be found on their website www.iconicauctioneers.com/selling-guide/notable-sales .
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Joseph Watts Car Specialist
+44 (0) 7779 082707
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