Wednesday 5th October 2011

Spotted: 1987 Ford Sierra RS500

One owner, no mods, 43 grand...

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Like the Strada 130TC we spotted last week, here's another example of an unmolested eighties hatchback from the 'find another one' files.

Well, actually finding another RS500 wouldn't be too difficult, but there can't be many like this one. Since it was delivered new in 1987 it has been with the same owner (known personally to the vendor) who has confirmed that at no point in the car's history has it been chipped, lowered, had the boost wound-up or indeed undergone alteration of any description.

Of course, not to alter one's 'Cossie' with go-faster bits back in the day would have almost seen the blue-neons-and-bass-bins crowd refuse you entry to their section of the local McDonald's car park on a Friday night. Come to think of it, that's probably still the same case today...

This Cossie is number 470 of the 500 originally built. The original owner has confirmed that, aside from a recently rebuilt differential and a rather expensive glass-out repaint, the car has had no work carried out other than that required for routine servicing. As a result, his description of the car's condition as being '...as if it had been built in 2009' does seem plausible.

As you'd imagine, an RS500 with such history is not cheap. This RS500 from our classifieds has covered fewer miles and seems to be in outstanding condition, although it can't boast that it's never been 'enhanced' in any way. It's up for £35,805, as opposed to the £42,995 asking price of the one-owner car.

There has always been big demand for Fast Fords of yesteryear, which of course means big prices. So is the RS500 now in the same bracket as the Lotus Cortina, GT40, RS200 and RS1800? If so, can they really be worth more than a certain contemporary Ferrari?

[Chunkychucky]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 05 October 2011 at 11:48

[Roop]

That is simply gorgeous I'd be snapping it up if I had the spare mulah...

[JD2329]

We're starting to see signs of a late 1980s style classic car bubble here.
Asking prices for a lot of average cars are going through the roof simply becuase they're 'old' and investing in stocks, property etc is diecy at the moment.
Admittedly this car doesn't exactly fall into this category. And the boom in values may last longer than anyone thinks. But when prices are driven up by speculators, rather than enthusiasts (who acutally want to own and use their cars), the downside is not far away...

[Roop]

Now, I might be wrong here and apologies if so but looking at the pics, there's something not quite right in the engine bay. Bearing mind my 500 looks (to the untrained eye) completely standard, there's a bloody great bit missing on this moonstone one so I'd hazard a guess it's had *something* done.

[The Danimal]

Fantastic. It always amazes me how small sierras are when you see them now. When I was a lad they were a mid-size family car... now they just about come up to the side windows of a Mondeo!

[VPower]

I actually like this quite a bit.

I had a bogo Sierra and it was a very nice car to drive.


Any performance figures for this one?

[Ex Boy Racer]

Had a Cossie many years ago. Awesome car.
Only problem was that the engine sounded like a bag of spanners. Powerful, but not smooth.

[alexpa]

The Danimal said:

Fantastic. It always amazes me how small sierras are when you see them now. When I was a lad they were a mid-size family car... now they just about come up to the side windows of a Mondeo!

Modern cars are bloated! The Mondeo is a euro blob barge.

What was wrong with hatchbacks being 205, R5, MK1/2 GTI size, or 911's pre 1990. Small, light, nimble, easier on the brakes and drive train, etc by definition.

[AshRS250]

Roop said:

Now, I might be wrong here and apologies if so but looking at the pics, there's something not quite right in the engine bay. Bearing mind my 500 looks (to the untrained eye) completely standard, there's a bloody great bit missing on this moonstone one so I'd hazard a guess it's had *something* done.

Come on tell us what it is?

my guess would be the little red item to the right front of the engine is a non standard dumpvalve of some sort?

[Porkie]

Roop said:

Now, I might be wrong here and apologies if so but looking at the pics, there's something not quite right in the engine bay. Bearing mind my 500 looks (to the untrained eye) completely standard, there's a bloody great bit missing on this moonstone one so I'd hazard a guess it's had *something* done.

The std fit recirculating dump valve has been removed and it has an aftermarket fuel pressure reg on it from a quick glance that I had.

[Mini1275]

Superb.

[thewheelman]

Very nice, but for that money, i'd buy something a hell of a lot nicer. I think it'll be for sale for some time at that price.

[Matt p]

No chance, look at the 'other mega money' 500's that have been up for sale in the classifieds on here.....think he may well be stuck with this one for a while.

As someone pointed out above, the enthusiasts are getting pushed out because of the speculators aiming at making fast money and have no love for these great cars.

[Roop]

Porkie said:

Roop said:

Now, I might be wrong here and apologies if so but looking at the pics, there's something not quite right in the engine bay. Bearing mind my 500 looks (to the untrained eye) completely standard, there's a bloody great bit missing on this moonstone one so I'd hazard a guess it's had *something* done.

The std fit recirculating dump valve has been removed and it has an aftermarket fuel pressure reg on it from a quick glance that I had.

^^this^^

Easy to put back to standard under there though. A very very nice car indeed. Shame it's not the original exhaust but that's a toughie...

[mackay45]

Someone needs to buy that and get it lowered!


Just joking, absolutely stunning car, I didn't click on the Ferrari link but I'm guessing it was a 355? I'd have the RS500 any day of the week at that price range (note: I am a Ford fanboy though)

Edit: just checked Ferrari link. Still RS500 please.

[thewheelman]

mackay45 said:

Someone needs to buy that and get it lowered!


Just joking, absolutely stunning car, I didn't click on the Ferrari link but I'm guessing it was a 355? I'd have the RS500 any day of the week at that price range (note: I am a Ford fanboy though)

Edit: just checked Ferrari link. Still RS500 please.

But you could buy a mint example of an RS500 for under £20k.

[Carnnoisseur]

Haven't seen one of these in years, especially in "stock" condition. Trying to remember what they sold for new back in 87......

[thewheelman]

Or this for £25k & only done 21,000 miles.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3284590.htm

[melvster]

It has been for sale for ages, atleast 6 months, 42K for a Sierra, no way, maybe a classic and a good car but 40+k for a Sierra is potty.

[garypotter]

Rare car, i wonder how many are left? One of the 80s super cars.
I remember years ago probably the scariest rides was in a moonstone blue whale tale heavily modified late at night as a passenger, the only time I have been in a cossie.