Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth | Spotted
Car number one is back on sale for a significant price cut - although it's still £120k
We're well accustomed to stratospheric prices being applied to Ford Sierra Cosworths these days. Obviously the model is the Group A homologation version of Cossie's superb racing car, one that took Steve Soper, Andy Rouse and Tim Harvey to glory and was produced for the road fewer times that even Porsche's Carrera 2.7 RS. It's worth considerably more than the sum of its parts because of that, although even in parts alone this remains an ultra-special machine. It's eighties touring car racing at its finest, only with numberplates and road tax.
By contrast, the 'regular' three-door Cossie is slightly less evocative. For starters, its turbocharged 2.0-litre uses a smaller turbocharger and intercooler to produce 204hp, 20hp less than the RS500. It didn't get the thicker walled engine block, uprated fuel pump or enhanced oil cooling system for track work, either. And it was built in 5,545 units, more than 10 times that of the homologation variant. The regular car was also a fair chunk cheaper to buy back in 1986, costing £15,950, four-grand less than the RS500, which equates to more than £11k in today's money.
Still, that's barely harmed the appeal of the standard Cossie. Before the days of Imprezas and Evos this was a pioneering working man's supercar, with a somewhat attainable price and motorsport prowess pumping through its panels thanks to that racing bodyshell. Its Pinto motor might barely have hot hatch power in today's world, but in its day it was a serious proposition - a 6.5 second 0-60mph time shaming Porsche's 944 S and rear-wheel drive giving it proper hairy chested credentials. Little wonder the Sierra and following Escort Cossie proved to be so popular with thieves wanting a getaway car...
Like all hot old Fords (and pretty much anything else enthusiast-worthy these days), three-door Sierra Cosworths have seen a big boost in values in the past few years. The number of registered examples on Britain's roads reflects a hike in demand, too. How Many Left suggests the figure had been consistently falling until 2017, when just 499 were registered. In 2018 that rocketed back up to 768.
Even so, it's the RS500 that stands strong as the most exotic offering from the breed. It holds the closest ties to those glorious racing years with actual motorsport engineering built into its frame, such as a Group A extended rear semi-trailing arm beam with extra mounting points and brake cooling vents. It's those sorts of nerdy details that ensure the RS500's holy grail status in the lineage - and appropriately elevated asking prices in the classifieds. £90k buys you the cheapest one currently advertised on PH.
Initially, the immaculate condition of the aforementioned 'entry' RS500 left us stumped at the £120k asking price of today's Spotted. With the same 1987 build year and 44,330 miles on the clock it's practically identical in age and use. T he answer for that stratospheric value lies in this particular car's history. It shouldn't exist at all, as the only surviving example of four pre-production prototype RS500s. It was apparently sold to ensure Ford achieved the FIA's 500-car production run requirement in time, and remains unique thanks to a stronger pre-production engine block and the inclusion of an authenticity report by RS500 expert Paul Linfoot.
Clearly £120k is bloody expensive for an old Sierra. But this is officially RS500 number 001. And, more significantly, that price is £80k less than it sold for in 2016. Bargain.
FORD SIERRA RS500 COSWORTH
Engine: 1,993cc, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 227@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 204@4,500rpm
MPG: 25
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1987
Recorded mileage: 44,330 miles
Price new: 19,950
Yours for: £120,000
This one will be no exception. Ridiculous price for a quick version of a car made for the masses especially one with baggy seats..
https://youtu.be/fOTwJCkJdQQ
I keep looking at this regular one in the classifieds https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... wishing I had a spare £40k!
This one will be no exception. Ridiculous price for a quick version of a car made for the masses especially one with baggy seats..
https://youtu.be/fOTwJCkJdQQ
I keep looking at this regular one in the classifieds https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... wishing I had a spare £40k!
https://youtu.be/bSs1iYxJtPo
He really didn’t like the 190 Evolution to drive much and said the M3 or RS were the ones to have if you like driving.
People will pay for a badge though as a low mileage Mercedes like this has gone for £300K
At least you can buy cheaper similar versions of these cars though if you are wanting a weekend toy
This one will be no exception. Ridiculous price for a quick version of a car made for the masses especially one with baggy seats..
https://youtu.be/fOTwJCkJdQQ
I keep looking at this regular one in the classifieds https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... wishing I had a spare £40k!
https://youtu.be/bSs1iYxJtPo
He really didn’t like the 190 Evolution to drive much and said the M3 or RS were the ones to have if you like driving.
People will pay for a badge though as a low mileage Mercedes like this has gone for £300K
At least you can buy cheaper similar versions of these cars though if you are wanting a weekend toy
This one will be no exception. Ridiculous price for a quick version of a car made for the masses especially one with baggy seats..
https://youtu.be/fOTwJCkJdQQ
I keep looking at this regular one in the classifieds https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... wishing I had a spare £40k!
https://youtu.be/bSs1iYxJtPo
He really didn’t like the 190 Evolution to drive much and said the M3 or RS were the ones to have if you like driving.
People will pay for a badge though as a low mileage Mercedes like this has gone for £300K
At least you can buy cheaper similar versions of these cars though if you are wanting a weekend toy
Quantifiably ‘crap’ by modern sports car standards to drive - worth millions as rarity and iconic status appeal to investors/rich enthusiasts
I guess the buyers of these dont use them ever day and perhaps have another car (or 10)
I am sometimes skeptical about old Ford prices but then that perhaps as I cant afford one but for all those guys that want one, nothing else will do and I can, with the 2 door Sierra Cosworth see the appeal.
As a kid in the eighties it was as exciting to see one as any Porsche or Ferrari, every time rallying was on there they were, same with touring cars and they even took the fight to the Aussies round Mount Panorama where the V8 reigned supreme.
You didnt see them all the time, at least not the 2 doors, it was generally something well heeled middle aged blokes tended to buy. I cant see these going as mental as special edition Porsches do though, mainly as the target market is a bit more working class lad done well in a lot of cases rather than global super rich buying the Porsches like Pokemons to stick away and appreciate.
The RS500 has everything the standard one had but has a cherry on top and there probably arent many cars that will get as positive reaction from the public, even kids know what they are as they pop up in every car game nowadays.
Moonstone blue for me but white is the sort of signature colour for the 2 door Sierra Cosworth.
I guess the buyers of these dont use them ever day and perhaps have another car (or 10)
I am sometimes skeptical about old Ford prices but then that perhaps as I cant afford one but for all those guys that want one, nothing else will do and I can, with the 2 door Sierra Cosworth see the appeal.
As a kid in the eighties it was as exciting to see one as any Porsche or Ferrari, every time rallying was on there they were, same with touring cars and they even took the fight to the Aussies round Mount Panorama where the V8 reigned supreme.
You didnt see them all the time, at least not the 2 doors, it was generally something well heeled middle aged blokes tended to buy. I cant see these going as mental as special edition Porsches do though, mainly as the target market is a bit more working class lad done well in a lot of cases rather than global super rich buying the Porsches like Pokemons to stick away and appreciate.
The RS500 has everything the standard one had but has a cherry on top and there probably arent many cars that will get as positive reaction from the public, even kids know what they are as they pop up in every car game nowadays.
Moonstone blue for me but white is the sort of signature colour for the 2 door Sierra Cosworth.
I doubt this car will ever be driven again. The price is too high to be bought by an enthusiast. Unless a very rich one?
It'll no doubt be bought and tucked away hoping to see it's value grow. Pretty much like the chap who bought it in 2016 for £200,000. Only the value hasn't quite gone the way he'd thought.
Seams bonkers to sell it for £80k less than what you bought it for. Maybe he's ran out of money, by buying cars way above there true market value?
Sierra the cheapest at £120,000 ish
BMW from £120,000 -> £180,000
Mercedes £150,000 -> £300,000
Hells teeth! I remember when these were £7k for a reasonable one!
Thought I’d have one later on, and got a Sunbeam Lotus for £4K instead.
Ah, the good old days when great cars were affordable
I can certainly remember the vanilla ones at 4K/5k but can’t recall seeing a Sport Evo at 7
They were around 38k new
I can certainly remember the vanilla ones at 4K/5k but can’t recall seeing a Sport Evo at 7
They were around 38k new
Regardless of its life and back story, it is the only one that can correctly wear the number plate E112 VEV and was the first of the run of 500. All the other VEV pre production cars still exist as well so not sure why the claim this one is the last left?
Now the one to still find is that last one, number 500, many rumours, many claims, but still yet to officially resurface the last I heard.
There is at least one delivery miles, unregistered one as well, in white.
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