Despite being one of the most stolen cars of its time (think of it as the Acura Integra Type R of the 80s), this 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth remains completely stock and unmolested thanks to being parked in 1991 by its original owner. It was only recently exhumed, and when it hit the auction block, the sale price was obviously eye-watering: £80,000, or about $102,500 U.S. That’s a big-time sale price for an ’80s icon, and you can see the full profile of the car here on the Anglia Car Auctions website.
This one-owner classic was taken off the road in ’91 for unknown reasons. The original owner was a motorsports fanatic, with a particular panache for fast Fords. The Cosworth is a popular car to modify due to the willingness with which it responds to modifications, and very few are left today in stock condition. The original bodykit, wheels, and iconic biplane wing all remain affixed to this rare survivor.
Mileage is just insanely low at a tick over 7,000. The clarity of the gauges and the lack of any obvious plastics fade tells you that there’s little doubt this car has sat in the garage for decades. The mystery, of course, is why someone who loved these Cossies so much let it sit idle for years, but given the vehicle passed from the first owner to his wife and finally to a family friend tells you that old age likely played a role.
The auction report indicates the Sierra remained in sound mechanical condition despite its years of storage, only failing the UK’s rigorous MoT inspection due to four bad tires. The Sierra shows no signs of any previous bodywork, and the auctioneer noted it’s one of the quietest Cosworth Sierras they’ve ever heard. Like all things 80s and performance-oriented, you should have bought one when prices were cheap.
These were the most stolen car in the UK when they were new, that may be a reason he parked it.
The other reason for them being parked was that few companies would insure them. The problem was so bad that Ford offered insurance for the first year. Getting full coverage was virtually impossible unless you ran it through a business policy. I had a friend who had one and he had a bunch of trouble insuring his. I had an MG Montego Turbo which apart from the inferior launch due to being front wheel drive, according to Motor Magazine, had the same in gear acceleration speeds as the Cosworth, yet had a family sedan insurance group. It was amazingly fast, sold it to a kid who originally wanted a Golf GTI until I took him for a test drive…… LOL.
The front looks like a Merkur Xr4ti, the back is a little different.
The Merkur was based on the European Ford Sierra XR4i, which is a more-mainstream variant of this car. The difference is in the rear side windows, where the XR4i and Merkur had a more-complicated “split” look.
couldn’t see any pics on the auction website of the engine or undercarriage or anything else… too bad would’ve been interesting to see that.
Strong price for an 80’s UK icon!
1988, Steve Soper vs. Andy Rouse, 20 laps at Brands Hatch neck-neck the whole race in two Eggenberger Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500. Fantastic race cars. Kinda ugly though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxFjyMUWLF8&list=PLc1oKw1H5RYRa490Zfq8M-gkcgtnBV673&index=11&t=0s
A rare find…should sell well…Just hope the winner keeps it original…no boy racer build please.
If you read the article, it’s not for sale, its already sold.