1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

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 their Sierra model 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 turbocharged engine of now-legendary repute. At the time, the Sierra Cosworth was a new kind of performance car - a 'blue-collar hero' able to humble true sports cars and was approachable and (almost) affordable for a family man. 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 which featured further developments focused on improving its racing potential, provided Ford sold 10% of the original number as road cars, hence the 500. If the RS Cosworth was an 'homologation special', the RS500 could rightfully wear the "Evo" hat offering serious 'street cred' and with 224bhp, upgraded brakes, modified bodywork, dramatic spoilers and the cachet of being hand-assembled - the RS500 really is the ultimate 1980s Fast Ford!

E321 EPD is Number 215 of the 500 cars built and was supplied new by Hartford Motors of Oxford and first registered on 3rd August 1987. It has recently spent much of its time in a large private Ford collection and when the car was photographed, prior to our sale, the odometer read 23,235 miles.

RS500s have now become rather valuable and, in the interests of total transparency, we note the contents of a condition report dated 31st October 1991 written by Boddington, Mee Consulting Automotive Engineers of Nottingham which shows the odometer reading as 2,972 miles at the time and notes that there is slight damage to the N/S/F corner bumper mounting and “no sign of major accident damage”. With no other reference in the history file to any accident damage, it appears that the 1991 report accounts for why the car appears on some online car history check websites as “repaired and inspected after being previously written off”. We can’t find any other reference to this and our ‘go-to’ site for vehicle history, the internationally respected HPI, don’t mention this at all.

The interior appears to be very original in its appearance with a slightly bowed rear parcel shelf, common in Fords of this age, no cracks in the dashboard and the seat facings show very little in the way of stretched material. The original Ford stereo unit with its matching amplifier is still in place and in good working order and the leather gear knob is only lightly worn. Interestingly, the car still retains its Ford exhaust pipe which has not been replaced, as so many have, by larger non-pattern parts. The car was professionally repainted in 2015 and presents well today with good shut lines and retains a deep gloss shine nicely highlighted by the correct pin-striping and RS500 decals.

Most importantly, the car benefits from a comprehensive report carried out by the renowned RS specialist, Paul Linfoot, in October 2021. A copy of this accompanies the car (available to view by interested parties) and it certainly offers peace of mind to any potential purchaser. At the same time, Paul went through the engine bay to make sure it matched the rest of the car with new wing sealers fitted and other items changed where required. EPD is supplied with a comprehensive history file, a well-stamped service booklet and the original book pack along with many old MOTs supporting the indicated mileage.

Anyone interested in the ownership of an RS500 will be aware of some recent surges in value and, as always, the ‘market’ will decide, however, we feel this lovely RS has been very sensibly guided.