Tuesday 2nd October 2012

Spotted: Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

A legendary car in beautiful condition and yours for ... how much?!

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There are two very distinct viewpoints from which to look on this Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth. The first is that, owing to its provenance, this particular RS500 is as significant a Ford homologation special as any RS200 or RWD Escort. The other perspective is that no Ford Sierra from 1987 can ever be worth as much as a brand-new Jaguar XFR, regardless of its condition and role within Ford's motorsport history.

Collectable fast Fords typically fetch big money...

The RS500 was a true homologation special, with Ford intent on developing the Sierra RS Cosworth to further extend its domination in global touring cars. The rules stipulated 500 road cars must be built incorporating the changes for the race car, and the RS500 was the result. Though its power gain over the standard Sierra Cosworth was modest (around 20hp), the RS500 received a stronger engine block, along with a larger turbo and intercooler to facilitate Ford's racing ambitions for the car.

But what makes this a £65,000 RS500 when even really nice examples can't command £40,000? Well, this is the 499th car and, because no record exists of the 500th, ergo the last RS500 known to have rolled off the Genk production line in Belgium. Moreover, as a Moonstone Blue car, it rivals some super-exotica for rarity value; only 50 were ever painted this way, and only around 30 are believed to still exist.

...but even so £65K seems a little fierce

'Pampered' is probably the most suitable term to describe this RS500's 25-year life; it's covered only 23,000 miles, has been used predominantly on dry roads, and in the boot you'll find the original front foglamps, box-fresh from the dealer (!).

But it is this concours condition that could, for some of us, detract from the Sierra's appeal rather than boost it. With this sort of mileage and condition, regardless of what the vendor argues, you won't want to use this RS500 for a blast across the continent. Or anywhere. It's simply too pristine. And that's a real problem for two interrelated reasons. A Sierra Cosworth RS500, any Sierra Cosworth, is ostensibly a driver's car. Therefore surely your money would be better spent on more usable example that you could actually enjoy regularly on the road? And if you would prefer a classic to admire and use only very occasionally, then why blow £65K on a Sierra? You could argue the only suitable place for the RS500 is the Ford Heritage Collection. It's a car of huge importance to the brand and, as part of its fleet, it can continue to be cherished and preserved as it should.

A final note on the price; the seller has already rejected a bid of £62,000 and so seems intent on getting the full £65,000. Anyone?

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FORD SIERRA RS500 COSWORTH
Engine: 1,994cc, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Power (hp): 227@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 204@4,500rpm
MPG: 25
C02: N/A
First registered: August 1987
Recorded mileage: 23,900
Price new: £19,950
Yours for: £65,000

View the original advert here.

 

[GranCab]

It's been for sale for a while now - and I think you have summed up why ...

However this RS looks far more realistically priced ;

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

Edited by GranCab on Tuesday 2nd October 10:25

Edited by GranCab on Tuesday 2nd October 10:26

[y2blade]

Stunning

[galaxie5000]

Joker. 65k buys a whole lot of classy, Italian beauty as opposed to jumped up Essex boy rep box

[DHE]

Looks to be in fantastic condition, but the price!! Car is probably 10-15 miles away from me, wonder if he gives test drives?

[dele]

Find me one decently priced RS500 and ill buy it

All the owners seem to be in dreamland when it comes to selling

[MarJay]

Not cos-worth it.

[SimonV8ster]

If he has genuinely rejected an offer of 62K hes an idiot.

[bigbadbikercats]

"...this is the 499th car and, because no record exists of the 500th, ergo the last RS500 known to have rolled off the Genk production line in Belgium. "

Does this invalidate the cars homologation or were Ford allowed to count prototype and/or pre-production cars towards the requirement for 500 road cars? Could this mean that at least some of the RS500's race and series victorys are technically invalid due to not meeting homologation requirements?

Not that it bothers me (particularly this far down the line), it wouldn't be the first or last car to achieve homologation by dubious means, and it would be far from the worst offender but it's kind of interesting anyway... :-)

[uncle tez]

GranCab said:

It's been for sale for a while now - and I think you have summed up why ...

However this one looks far more realistically priced ;

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

Edited by GranCab on Tuesday 2nd October 10:25

That ones not a 500 though so imo its still overpriced.

[FlashBastd]

The lack of usability (being too nice) is irrelevant, I am just really happy that such a nice example still exists.

If I had pots of cash I would love to have one in a collection, but I don't.

Surely no different to having a box fresh anything though is it? Sure there may be more significant cars than the RS500 but if you must have the best, and recognise the significance of a moonstone example, then this must be the car?

[MrTappets]

I was mentally picturing 20-25k. Shows how much I know about the value of an old Sierra, low miles or not.

[epom]

That looks superb, and is no doubt a fantastic example but the price is bonkers !! Having said that though not bonkers enough that someone seems to have offered north of £60k already

[DanDC5]

Why are all old Fords so over-priced? Are blue over 'enthusiasts' really just stupid?

[Liquid Knight]

RS500 Owner said:

Yes love I'll put the car up for sale (at double the market value so when it doesn't sell I can blame the recession and keep the car)

Sounds like a plan to me.

[Uncle John]

The thing is cars like this do not come around very often, particularly more so in the modern age, especially after the PC brigade have had their way.

Cars with provenance, importance and rarity unfortunately command a premium. To a collector who has the means this is not an issue.

I hope it is bought and cherished for many more years.

[Sexual Chocolate]

I have seen ones with a lot more provenance than this go 45K. Vendor lives in a dreamland or is a very patient person.

[djdestiny]

DanDC5 said:

Why are all old Fords so over-priced? Are blue over 'enthusiasts' really just stupid?

Supply and demand.
Its getting harder and harder to find good ones, which obviously pushes prices up and up

[suffolk009]

Or, buy about 65,000 Mk1 MX-5s.

[dasvolk]

I suspect the price may have more to do with his desire *not* to sell the car - one of these types shared with me once that he had it up for sale for *years* just so he could tell his wife he was trying to sell it.

[balls-out]

bigbadbikercats said:

"...this is the 499th car and, because no record exists of the 500th, ergo the last RS500 known to have rolled off the Genk production line in Belgium. "

Does this invalidate the cars homologation or were Ford allowed to count prototype and/or pre-production cars towards the requirement for 500 road cars? Could this mean that at least some of the RS500's race and series victorys are technically invalid due to not meeting homologation requirements?

Not that it bothers me (particularly this far down the line), it wouldn't be the first or last car to achieve homologation by dubious means, and it would be far from the worst offender but it's kind of interesting anyway... :-)

I'm sure I recall stories of inspectors being shown 250 cars for holomogation in the morning and then whilst they had a long lunch, the cars were moved to the second location, where the inspector could check the second batch of 250. Probably apocryphal, but I think many limited runs ended up rather more limited than reported..