rouse cosworth 304 r id tag
Discussion
Unfortunately, as you've likely already discovered, running the plate through an app won't answer your questions. From the three cars I've tested, all of them have come up either as a Sierra RS Cosworth or a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth.
The interior might be a useful method of confirming the car's authenticity, for it was unique to the Rouse cars. Below is an image of a genuine Rouse 302-R interior. While you're looking at a (purported, at least) 304-R, the interior should be similar if not totally identical. As I understand it the Rouse cars did not have Recaro markings on the seats, instead coming with a Rouse badge. The picture's taken from an angle where it is very hard to make out any text, so you may have to rely on the general shape of the badge alone.
On a more obvious note, the exterior of the car differs quite a bit from the standard Cosworths. The front bumper has a deep splitter, and it comes down slightly further than the car's side skirts. These skirts are also deeper than a standard Sierra. In fact, at a glance you'd almost think they're very "Max Power" - and I'm sure plenty of people do without realising the uniqueness of the Rouse models. The spoiler also appears to be more curved, coming up higher at the rear of the car.
Wheels don't seem to be a totally reliable method of determining the car's history. From the older photos I've seen they all appeared to be on the 'Cosworth Lattice', but they apparently came on a 225 width tyre. Whether this means the lattices found on a Rouse car are different again, I'm not totally sure. If it's the same lattice as found on a standard Sierra Cosworth then replacements are easily sourced; I'd be much happier finding a set of those than I would be a complete Rouse interior!
The real clincher should be the 'Rouse Sport' markings on the rubbing strips and rear door strips, as well as the marking on the rear of the car. From what I can tell, 'Rouse Sport' is always placed on the left, while the specific model (in this case, 304-R) is below the right-hand light. The typeface is relatively blocky, and it's hyphenated between the numbers and 'R'.
Finally, don't forget the plaque on the B pillar when you get into the car. It's blue and silver, and this looks to be one here.
Chances are someone else will be along to give far greater insight than I possibly could, though I hope that this information is helpful to you. I suppose another thing you could try would be to search the car's plate on Google, if necessary with words like "Rouse", "Sierra" or even just "Ford". Due to the small number of Rouse Sport cars it may have been mentioned on another forum before now.
Condition and all the rest should be treated in much the same way as any other Ford Sierra, Cosworth or otherwise. This video provides a good overview of where they can rust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyl166nDKF4
Good luck, and I hope this has been of some use to you.
The interior might be a useful method of confirming the car's authenticity, for it was unique to the Rouse cars. Below is an image of a genuine Rouse 302-R interior. While you're looking at a (purported, at least) 304-R, the interior should be similar if not totally identical. As I understand it the Rouse cars did not have Recaro markings on the seats, instead coming with a Rouse badge. The picture's taken from an angle where it is very hard to make out any text, so you may have to rely on the general shape of the badge alone.
On a more obvious note, the exterior of the car differs quite a bit from the standard Cosworths. The front bumper has a deep splitter, and it comes down slightly further than the car's side skirts. These skirts are also deeper than a standard Sierra. In fact, at a glance you'd almost think they're very "Max Power" - and I'm sure plenty of people do without realising the uniqueness of the Rouse models. The spoiler also appears to be more curved, coming up higher at the rear of the car.
Wheels don't seem to be a totally reliable method of determining the car's history. From the older photos I've seen they all appeared to be on the 'Cosworth Lattice', but they apparently came on a 225 width tyre. Whether this means the lattices found on a Rouse car are different again, I'm not totally sure. If it's the same lattice as found on a standard Sierra Cosworth then replacements are easily sourced; I'd be much happier finding a set of those than I would be a complete Rouse interior!
The real clincher should be the 'Rouse Sport' markings on the rubbing strips and rear door strips, as well as the marking on the rear of the car. From what I can tell, 'Rouse Sport' is always placed on the left, while the specific model (in this case, 304-R) is below the right-hand light. The typeface is relatively blocky, and it's hyphenated between the numbers and 'R'.
Finally, don't forget the plaque on the B pillar when you get into the car. It's blue and silver, and this looks to be one here.
Chances are someone else will be along to give far greater insight than I possibly could, though I hope that this information is helpful to you. I suppose another thing you could try would be to search the car's plate on Google, if necessary with words like "Rouse", "Sierra" or even just "Ford". Due to the small number of Rouse Sport cars it may have been mentioned on another forum before now.
Condition and all the rest should be treated in much the same way as any other Ford Sierra, Cosworth or otherwise. This video provides a good overview of where they can rust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyl166nDKF4
Good luck, and I hope this has been of some use to you.
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