Ford Sierra RS500 (#372/500)

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.

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. 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, upgraded brakes, modified bodywork and the cachet of being hand-assembled. The vast majority (392) were finished in Black, 56 in Diamond White and 52 in Moonstone Blue.

Presented here is a 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 (#372/500) finished in black with grey cloth interior and sold by Ford main dealer, Grays of Guildford, to its Surrey-based, only registered owner. First registered on 14th August 1987, it remains remarkably original still fitted with its original Ford mild-steel exhaust and sitting on Dunlop D40 tyres. It’s supplied with its original wallet with the service record detailing five Ford main dealer (Grays of Guildford) stamps up to 1990 at 28,948 miles. A separate check lists shows a further service at 33,000 miles during 1993. The most recent MOT dates from 1994.

The car was purchased by our vendor when it had covered just over 41,600 miles, however, he chose not to register the car in his name (the V5C lists ‘None’ against the number of previous owners) and has also chosen never to use it although it has been started regularly and maintained during this period. This ‘lost’ RS500 still sports its original Grays of Guildford number plates and, as you can see from the images, still presents remarkably well considering its lack of use. It started immediately during our visit and appeared ready to drive off for the day.

We invite and encourage your inspection of #372 to establish what may have to be done to return this ‘timewarp’ RS500 to regular use.

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