Spotted: Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth
A legendary car in beautiful condition and yours for ... how much?!
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.
'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?
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.
However this RS looks far more realistically priced ;
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
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... :-)
However this one looks far more realistically priced ;
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
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?
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.
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... :-)
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