Who remembers the Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500?

There are few cars as iconic as the Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500. A high-performance vehicle that was developed by Ford’s motorsport division and designed to compete in the British touring car racing circuit of the 1980’s.

The RS500 model of the Sierra Cosworth was manufactured in very limited numbers, and it became a collector’s item.

Recently, one of these rare vehicles was sold for $1.15 million NZ dollars in the UK at Silverstone Auctions in Warwickshire, setting a new record.

The standard Sierra Cosworth was first seen in 1987 and the vehicle was powered by a turbocharged 2.0L engine producing about 152kW of power.

This made it one of the most powerful cars on the market. The RS500 model was even more exclusive than the standard model as it featured a range of performance upgrades, including a larger turbocharger, a modified fuel system, and a more efficient intercooler.

These changes allowed the RS500 to produce about 167kW of power, making it one of the most powerful cars of its time.

The RS500 was also fitted with a range of cosmetic upgrades, including a more aggressive body kit, larger wheels, and a rear spoiler.

Despite its impressive performance and exclusivity, the RS500 was only produced in limited numbers. Around 500 were built and many of these were used for racing in the British Touring Car Championships.

The 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 (mentioned above) that was sold at auction set a new record for that model, and it highlighted the growing demand for such high-quality examples of this vehicle.

It was one of just 56 right-hand drive RS500’s produced, and it had been painstakingly maintained over the years. The car had done 8,355 km and was in immaculate condition throughout.

The sale of this Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 is just the latest example of the growing interest in classic cars among collectors and enthusiasts. It’s a love for the days of motoring that is fading from our modern life with the introduction of EV’s and other soulless examples.

As more and more people seek out rare and exclusive vehicles, prices for these marvels of yesterday’s automotive engineering are likely to continue rising. For those lucky enough to own a Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500, this is certainly good news. As for the rest of us, we can only dream of one day owning a piece of automotive history as iconic and coveted as the RS500.

April 2023