This striking Sierra Cosworth RS500, No 0125 / 500, is offered fresh to market after almost 20 years of continuous ownership and must surely represent one of the most original and unmolested examples to become available in recent times.
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 2.0-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, modified bodywork and the cachet of being hand-assembled - the RS500 really is the ultimate 1980s Fast Ford!
This particular Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500, No 0125 / 500, is offered fresh to market after almost 20 years of continuous ownership and must surely represent one of the most original and unmolested examples to become available in recent times. Prior to purchase in 2004, our vendor made the decision that an RS500 was on his bucket list, but not just any old RS500, it had to be one of the very best. With that in mind, and the object of his desire sourced, an inspection by Alastair Mayne, Graham Goode Racing's Technical and Development Engineer was enlisted to inspect the vehicle to ensure that this was truly original and unmolested, even checking the often abused ‘ECU’ for signs of tampering ! As you would expect all was good and the purchase rubber-stamped with many years of meticulous and fastidious ownership to follow. ‘E290 VFD’ remains in the same condition to this very day with the exception of the front air dam and rear bumper which required minor refinishing to bring back up to the superb and original finish of the remainder of the vehicle and, with the exception of general service items, this is how the RS presents today. With a comprehensive history folder, Dating Certificate and workshop manuals there is little more to say other than that if you are looking for one of the most original, unmolested and desirable Performance Fords, freshly serviced and MOT’d, we suggest that your search may be at an end.
