We're well accustomed to stratospheric prices being applied to Ford Sierra Cosworths these days. Obviously the model is the Group A homologation version of Cossie's superb racing car, one that took Steve Soper, Andy Rouse and Tim Harvey to glory and was produced for the road fewer times that even Porsche's Carrera 2.7 RS. It's worth considerably more than the sum of its parts because of that, although even in parts alone this remains an ultra-special machine. It's eighties touring car racing at its finest, only with numberplates and road tax.
By contrast, the 'regular' three-door Cossie is slightly less evocative. For starters, its turbocharged 2.0-litre uses a smaller turbocharger and intercooler to produce 204hp, 20hp less than the RS500. It didn't get the thicker walled engine block, uprated fuel pump or enhanced oil cooling system for track work, either. And it was built in 5,545 units, more than 10 times that of the homologation variant. The regular car was also a fair chunk cheaper to buy back in 1986, costing £15,950, four-grand less than the RS500, which equates to more than £11k in today's money.
Still, that's barely harmed the appeal of the standard Cossie. Before the days of Imprezas and Evos this was a pioneering working man's supercar, with a somewhat attainable price and motorsport prowess pumping through its panels thanks to that racing bodyshell. Its Pinto motor might barely have hot hatch power in today's world, but in its day it was a serious proposition - a 6.5 second 0-60mph time shaming Porsche's 944 S and rear-wheel drive giving it proper hairy chested credentials. Little wonder the Sierra and following Escort Cossie proved to be so popular with thieves wanting a getaway car...
Like all hot old Fords (and pretty much anything else enthusiast-worthy these days), three-door Sierra Cosworths have seen a big boost in values in the past few years. The number of registered examples on Britain's roads reflects a hike in demand, too. How Many Left suggests the figure had been consistently falling until 2017, when just 499 were registered. In 2018 that rocketed back up to 768.
Even so, it's the RS500 that stands strong as the most exotic offering from the breed. It holds the closest ties to those glorious racing years with actual motorsport engineering built into its frame, such as a Group A extended rear semi-trailing arm beam with extra mounting points and brake cooling vents. It's those sorts of nerdy details that ensure the RS500's holy grail status in the lineage - and appropriately elevated asking prices in the classifieds. £90k buys you the cheapest one currently advertised on PH.
Initially, the immaculate condition of the aforementioned 'entry' RS500 left us stumped at the £120k asking price of today's Spotted. With the same 1987 build year and 44,330 miles on the clock it's practically identical in age and use. T he answer for that stratospheric value lies in this particular car's history. It shouldn't exist at all, as the only surviving example of four pre-production prototype RS500s. It was apparently sold to ensure Ford achieved the FIA's 500-car production run requirement in time, and remains unique thanks to a stronger pre-production engine block and the inclusion of an authenticity report by RS500 expert Paul Linfoot.
Clearly £120k is bloody expensive for an old Sierra. But this is officially RS500 number 001. And, more significantly, that price is £80k less than it sold for in 2016. Bargain.
FORD SIERRA RS500 COSWORTH
Engine: 1,993cc, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 227@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 204@4,500rpm
MPG: 25
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1987
Recorded mileage: 44,330 miles
Price new: 19,950
Yours for: £120,000
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