Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 2WD
(Embarrassingly) Suzuki Vitara SWB, Renault Megane 2.0 16V Coupe, Mercedes C43 AMG - currently I also own an E46 BMW M3 Cabrio.
Will it, won't it boost delivery is exciting...
"Many years ago, I used to frequent the beach front area in Aberdeen of an evening. It was a meeting place for people to sit, chat and generally hone their hooning skills. During my time there I was lucky enough to have passenger runs in various fast Fords in various states of tune. One vehicle that stands out in my mind was a (circa) 380hp Sapphire Cosworth. I had always liked Sierras, but the Cosworth (at the time), was the pinnacle of luxury and pace. From that point onwards, I just had to have one.
"At the beginning of December 2011, and due to winter evening boredom, I had look for a lock-up to house an un-yet purchased Sunday toy. Surprisingly, my timing was spot on and I managed to obtain a secure lock-up within a week - no mean feat in Aberdeen. Next came the task of finding something to put in it. Whilst padding out time in Asda (other supermarket chains are available), I had a thumb through Performance Ford and came across an article named 'Resurrected' about a white, clean Saff that was involved in some front end trauma and was rebuilt by its then owner to an exacting standard. The article got my Cosworth juices flowing again and that evening the budget was set, the kettle was boiled and PistonHeads classifieds were scoured. There was a white Sapphire that instantly caught my eye, with a surprisingly familiar number plate - the car from the 'Resurrected' article. A few emails later, a deal was struck and flights from Aberdeen to Exeter were booked. There is a further story about having to source an unexpectedly snapped throttle cable at 4:30pm on December 29 for a 23-year-old Ford Sierra; the success of which would normally be reserved for a jammy b*stard and the journey home under its own steam did take place, albeit 20 hours later. The rest, as they say, is history."
No shame in lifting the bonnet if it's this clean
"There are plenty of forums and websites dedicated to the blue oval, so there isn't any question that cannot be answered. As good Cosworths are now becoming a little thin on the ground, there isn't much opportunity to shop around and you really need to have a balance of good judgement and a little luck. Also living the north east of Scotland a majority of the cars are further South, making the whole 'popping along for a look' less than easy. Rightly or wrongly, the Performance Ford article, as well as a multitude of photographs posted on Passion Ford by the previous owner, let me know all I needed to about the car."
Things I love:
"I love everything about the car. Every journey seems an event and it still turns heads when it's out to play. I am addicted to the intoxicating plethora of noises it makes when it comes on boost; the sucking of air through the induction kit, the spool of the turbo and the momentary compressor surge before the dump valve vents the pressure. I also love the turbo lag, it's the whole lottery of 'it's going to come on boost ... soon and I'm not sure of which way the back will swing', therefore making it very much a dry weather toy. I also like the fact that you don't see many going around any more, making it a pretty rare sight on the roads.
"I also adore the old-school looks with the amber indicator lenses and coloured rear clusters. It would be too easy to fit the smoked units of the 4x4 and I think that would detract from the originality. And, yes, I know it has a 4x4 bonnet, but if it wasn't already fitted it would have happened anyway, as I like the vents."
Orange indicators, the way they should be
"I decided as the car was clean, it would be a fair weather toy. Any sign of damp or rain and it stays firmly under lock and key and I suppose the great British weather has stopped my enjoying it as much as I want to. Should you be unlucky enough to get caught out, I hate the under bonnet redetailing required to bring it back to how clean it was before I left home. The vents on the 4x4 bonnet really allow grime to find its way into every nook and cranny."
Costs:
"In the last 15 months, I have spent a few quid getting it to where I wanted it power wise and aesthetically. The car was always clean and well-polished, so other than good detailing products and my time, no real expenditure there. I have purchased a set of 17-inch RS 7 Softline alloys to help fill out the arches (which took a bit of finding and will be a summertime fit), as although a great looking wheel, I don't feel the 15-inch lattices do the car justice. Under the bonnet I have invested in a wasted spark kit which eliminates the requirement to run tight plug gaps, larger black injectors, new engine management and live mapping. Coupled with some other trick bits, it runs a healthy 32psi of boost. The car sailed through its last MOT and, to date, hasn't cost me much more than fuel and oil (which it does use a bit of)."
Vented bonnet the one shift from originality
"The car was bought in Exeter and I stay in Aberdeen, so the 606-mile door to door trip was the longest I've had in one hit. I have also been to Blackpool to have mods carried out by MotorSport Developments. When the sun is shining at the weekend, it does tend to come out for a blast through Royal Deeside and up through the Cairngorms, which are outstanding driving roads."
What's next?
"The car is more or less where I want it to be. In time it may get a big brake upgrade, but for the meantime cross drilled and grooved disks with fast road pads are adequate. With the current ECU, it is possible add in anti-lag and launch control, but that would be a 'boys and their toys' strategy, so I'd need to justify that to myself for it to be more than pub bragging rights."
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