1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

At its introduction in 1982, the Sierra's revolutionary new shape proved a touch more divisive than Ford had anticipated and some serious marketing became a priority, so it was the obvious choice to become the platform for Ford's new competition aspirations in conjunction with Cosworth. It fitted the brief well as it was rear-wheel drive, had good aerodynamics, albeit being prone to lift at high speeds, and was available as a three-door. The new body kit and rear spoiler would sort out the lift issues but, more importantly, Ford still needed to build 5,000 units for homologation, somewhat worrying when the company's initial approach to the dealer network came back with an estimate that suggested they could sell around 1,500 units! The eventual sales record is, of course, history. Ford went on to sell 5,545 three-door cars including the RS500, of which only 500 were built, and the Cosworth engine also found its way into nearly 30,000 Ford Sierra Saloons (Cosworth 3dr, Sapphire 2wd and 4wd).

This amazing Sierra Cosworth dates from 1986 and has incredibly covered just 8,795 miles from new. Looking as crisp as ever in Moonstone Blue with a virtually unmarked Recaro grey cloth interior, just two former keepers have had the pleasure of owning this time-warp car from new. It was dry stored in 2003 and only recently emerged from hiding to undergo a thorough recommissioning in April of this year at a cost approaching £7,000. The originality of this car cannot be underestimated, and during its preparation for the sale our vendor employed a professional detailer to present the RS in its best light and he stated that it was perhaps the finest he had ever seen.

It's supplied with the original purchase invoice for £16,630 from Henlys Ford, an original Henlys book pack including the owners handbook, audio guide, an official Press Information pack of the period and the Ford Service Plan booklet detailing its first service FOC and its first 6,000 miles service in April 1989 at 5,667 miles. It's simply remarkable to have this level of historical detail with an RS Cosworth all helping to corroborate the tiny mileage and astonishing originality.

 'Original' is the key word here, frequently misused, but in the case of D50 UCU, totally appropriate and your early inspection is welcomed and encouraged to confirm that we do not use the word lightly. The Cosworth has always been a car to draw attention, its radical 'whale tail' at the time ensured that it was always meant to be a poster boy of the era, but with their values now reaching such amazing levels, where do we see this, surely never to be repeated, low mileage example taking values today?

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