Sierra RS 500 - Stupid to want one...?
Discussion
I've wanted a genuine, bone stock Sierra RS 500 for as long as I can remember. I was a huge fan of them back in the 80's, mainly in part due to the antics of Mr Rouse, Gravett and Harvey in the BTCC and Mr Soper, Ludwig, Dieudonne, Niedzwitz et al in the Eggenberger Texaco RS 500s at Bathurst in '87. I have every video under the sun featuring them, models, brochures etc.
I've never owned a classic car before and want one of these so bad it hurts, even if just to keep it a short while knowing that I have fulfilled a dream.
Is it crazy having such a car locked in a garage all minted up just for that occasional run...? I'm extra wary as it's a turbocharged engine and even I know that old turbos become wallet emptiers if they aren't looked after.
Insurance wise, who should I look to get a quote off...? I assume it qualifies for classic and would be doing well under 6000 miles a year, probably less than 3000.
TIA,
Roop
PS : Just in case you had forgotten...
Edited to fix typos
>>> Edited by roop on Friday 11th February 00:00
I've never owned a classic car before and want one of these so bad it hurts, even if just to keep it a short while knowing that I have fulfilled a dream.
Is it crazy having such a car locked in a garage all minted up just for that occasional run...? I'm extra wary as it's a turbocharged engine and even I know that old turbos become wallet emptiers if they aren't looked after.
Insurance wise, who should I look to get a quote off...? I assume it qualifies for classic and would be doing well under 6000 miles a year, probably less than 3000.
TIA,
Roop
PS : Just in case you had forgotten...
Edited to fix typos
>>> Edited by roop on Friday 11th February 00:00
Had the standard Cosworth 3 door when insurance premiums caused massive price drops, I lived abroad so took full advantage and bagged one. Loverly car but i'd have jumped at the chance to own an original 500. Just make sure you check it's originality as even though the Sierra Cosworth was an icon in it's own right there were still a few with inferiority complexes and felt the need to pretend theirs was a 500.
Go for it Roop. A true petrolhead's hooligan car. Forever saddled with the Essex Boy image of the original and later Sapphire versions ..but the 500 was the baddest of the bunch and will always be remembered for the racing antics you love so much, and rightly so.
I say live the dream .. you'll only regret it later in life if you don't do it now.
Good choice there
I say live the dream .. you'll only regret it later in life if you don't do it now.
Good choice there
Thanks for the help and support...! Unlike a lot of classics, the RS 500's are still quite heavy on the insurance front as far as I can ascertain, so the car will hardly be an investment if it's going to cost me the best part of a grand to insure each year. Sure the car won't lose value, and will more than likely appreciate, but not anything like enough to cover the insurance costs.
I am wary there's fake RS500's out there. Should I plump for one, I'll ge a breakdown from the RS Owners Club of exactly what makes a genuine RS500 (chassis number range, differences from standard RS Cosworth etc). I know a few myself such as different rear spoiler plus additional lower spoiler, different front splitter, 8 injector engine, larger turbo, larger intercooler, no front fog lamps (brake ducts instead) even the engine blocks were different (beefed up somehow I think).
I was going to change my Civic Type-R in the next few months, probably for a Focus RS, but it might have to go on hold so I can have an RS500 at least for the Summer.
I am wary there's fake RS500's out there. Should I plump for one, I'll ge a breakdown from the RS Owners Club of exactly what makes a genuine RS500 (chassis number range, differences from standard RS Cosworth etc). I know a few myself such as different rear spoiler plus additional lower spoiler, different front splitter, 8 injector engine, larger turbo, larger intercooler, no front fog lamps (brake ducts instead) even the engine blocks were different (beefed up somehow I think).
I was going to change my Civic Type-R in the next few months, probably for a Focus RS, but it might have to go on hold so I can have an RS500 at least for the Summer.
Find a good'un and you will never want to sell it on, the thing is to make certain that it is a good'un. Loads were nicked and some recovered, make sure the service history is 100% to your satisfaction.
Once its yours you will enjoy it like no other before, of course you will find the turbo lag a bit of an ar*e but soon get used to it. If its been chipped up tho I would look elsewhere.
Once its yours you will enjoy it like no other before, of course you will find the turbo lag a bit of an ar*e but soon get used to it. If its been chipped up tho I would look elsewhere.
Awesome car. Is that the same car as any old cossie sierra 3 door with the whale tail? Im not too hot on my history of cossies, but I definitly want one of these cars within my lifetime.
Sticking with the true image of cossies was a guy at the Ace a few weeks ago. I have some very entertaining video of it if you want, I can host it. And of course.. he had a shaved head! Noice. F'in c'mon
Sticking with the true image of cossies was a guy at the Ace a few weeks ago. I have some very entertaining video of it if you want, I can host it. And of course.. he had a shaved head! Noice. F'in c'mon
roop said:
I am wary there's fake RS500's out there. Should I plump for one, I'll ge a breakdown from the RS Owners Club of exactly what makes a genuine RS500 (chassis number range, differences from standard RS Cosworth etc). I know a few myself such as different rear spoiler plus additional lower spoiler, different front splitter, 8 injector engine, larger turbo, larger intercooler, no front fog lamps (brake ducts instead) even the engine blocks were different (beefed up somehow I think).
They also have an additional pickup on the rear suspension for homologation purposes
Hi Tony,
I understand it's stock apart from either different injectors (or all 8 injectors - not sure), MAP sensor and chip. Only been run in this config for 1000 miles and all original parts available so I am going to return it to standard. Current config it still under 300bhp so hardly been stressed. It's recently had all gaskets replaced with original Ford items including head to maximise reliabilty due to the age of the original components.
I understand it's stock apart from either different injectors (or all 8 injectors - not sure), MAP sensor and chip. Only been run in this config for 1000 miles and all original parts available so I am going to return it to standard. Current config it still under 300bhp so hardly been stressed. It's recently had all gaskets replaced with original Ford items including head to maximise reliabilty due to the age of the original components.
Brilliant! The map/chip/ECU etc are very easily reversible to get back to standard. I envy you, dear boy, as it is exactly the sort of project I would LOVE to undertake myself. A work of art!!
Good luck with your purchase and, whatever you do, don't walk away without shaking the man's hand and giving him a cheque!
Good luck with your purchase and, whatever you do, don't walk away without shaking the man's hand and giving him a cheque!
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff