Estimated Price: £100,000 - £120,000

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-litre turbo engine of now legendary repute.

In total 5,545 cars were produced, of which 500 were sent to Aston Martin Tickford for conversion to the Sierra RS500 Cosworth. 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 vast majority (392) were finished in Black, 56 in Diamond White and 52 in Moonstone Blue.

The car on offer here is a very special UK-supplied, right-hand drive example in superb condition which is totally commensurate with the indicated mileage of 43,176. Finished in Black with a classic grey cloth Recaro interior, the V5C details five former keepers and it is now being offered to market from a significant Performance Ford Collection.
 
First registered on the 06/08/1987 by its supplying dealer, Sidlow Garages in Horley, this RS500 has notably always worn the registration number, E500 APN, making the plate a significant part of the cars history, and pleasingly it will form part of the sale. We are also advised by our vendor that the 'Cossie' has been confirmed as 'numbers matching'. 
 
Included with the car are its dealer book pack with what appears to be all the associated booklets etc. including the dealer directory, accident repair guide, Ford protection book and others. Most importantly, however, the service record is in place detailing the car's early service history up until 34,570 miles on 06/07/1993. There are also rafts of invoices for various replacement parts and maintenance included in the car's history folder and, as always, we would encourage your inspection of the vehicle and the vast amount of history on offer.
 
Emerging from long-term storage and on offer from a significant private collection, this low mileage, super condition, RS500 represents an excellent opportunity to own a rare example of what is perhaps the high-water mark for Ford and Cosworth’s road-going partnership.