sierra
sierra

Ultra rare Sierra up for grabs

Riley Riley

A rare, pre-production Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is being offered for auction in the UK.

Built as part of Ford’s 4P ‘Pre-Production Prove Out Program’ before full production of the car began, it is one of just 10 right-hand drive made.

Seven of these cars became rally cars leaving only three which were left as road cars.

Of these, this is the only one known to still exist.

The Ford Sierra is renowned for back to back wins in the Bathurst 1000 in 1988 and 1989, as well as victory in the Australian Touring Car Championship in the same years.

The provenance of the car being auctioned has been confirmed by members of the original Ford Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) team.

Finished in Moonstone Blue, (most were White), it was almost certainly one of the original testing and press cars, and possibly the star of the original ‘Cars of the Future’ TV advert.

As a genuine UK-registered, right hand drive, three-door example, and showing 68,000 miles, it is expected to fetch between £39,000 and £59,000  — about $70,000 to $106,500 Aussie dollars.

“This car is a piece of Ford history! Not only is this one of the most desirable fast-Fords made but this is one of the very first examples ever built,” auctioneer Tristan Judge  said.

“The auction will be a very special opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors looking for a genuine Sierra RS Cosworth, with a price tag which is within reach for serious buyers,”

At the time of production the RS Cosworth was the epitome of ’80s boyhood dreams.

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With a top speed of around 240km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 6.4 seconds, the RS Cosworth sports a turbocharged 152kW engine mated to a rear wheel drive chassis.

Its performance is enhanced further by the body kit and spoiler engineered for aerodynamics and suspension based on racing experience.

Built approximately nine months before the official production run started, this car was first registered in the UK on October 30, 1985.

Exported by its owner to New Zealand in 1994, it spent four years in storage while treated to an engine rebuild.

After changing hands two more times, the car’s current owner, who purchased it in 2009, has spent tens-of-thousands of dollars and countless hours perfecting the car in a climate-controlled facility.

Careful to preserve its originality wherever possible by using original Ford parts, the car has received a new headlining, new foam in the front seats, replacement lights, mouldings, door and window seals, electrical sensors and hoses, suspension bushes, cam belt, fresh fluids and a new front splitter.

The original three-spoke steering wheel is present and correct, as is the Ford-branded radio/cassette player and separate audio control panel.

The car even retains an original Ford dealer sticker in the rear window.

Repatriated in to the UK in 2016, at the age of 35 years, the car is presented in immaculate condition with tight, even shut lines and dent and ripple-free panels.

The owner has even reunited the car with its original, historically important registration number.

“The current owner took an already very good car and made it perfect.

“Like so many of us, he once had a poster of a Sierra Cosworth on his bedroom wall.

“Now it’s somebody else’s turn to own it, and an opportunity like this one rarely comes along.”

Accompanying the car is its MOT certificate which was gained without a single advisory and expires in June, 2021.

Also included in the sale is a selection of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been carried out over the years, a very detailed summary of the car’s life and owners, as well as the original owner’s handbook and Ford Sierra RS Cosworth supplement.

The car will be auctioned online by The Market from July 23-30.

 

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