Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 breaks auction record with £596,250 sale

A 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 has sold for an astonishing record-breaking price at auction.

Described as ‘perhaps the finest example’ of the rare RS500 model, the Cosworth exceeded all expectations on the block at the Silverstone Auctions Race Retro sale. 

A final selling-price of £596,250 ensured that the blue-collar Sierra entered territory typically reserved for supercars. 

The estimated sale price was between £150k and £180k.

It demonstrates that enthusiasm for Fast Fords shows no sign of cooling.

Faster, stronger, rarer

The RS500 version of the Sierra RS Cosworth was developed as an evolution of the original model. Introduced in 1987, a host of changes helped the RS500 to ensure the Cosworth remained a dominant force in touring car racing. 

A total of 500 examples were built, featuring a larger turbocharger to push the 2.0-litre Cosworth engine to 224hp. An extra lower spoiler was fitted to the tailgate, with the front bumper seeing the standard fog lights ditched for extra cooling vents. 

It made cars like the example sold at auction highly desirable, with this RS500 being acquired for the vendor’s collection 14 years ago. 

Since then it has been treated with fastidious attention to originality. This has included rare new-old stock replacement filters being used, instead of modern alternatives.

Even the original Dunlop tyres have been preserved, albeit not fitted to the car.

Fast Ford market reaches boiling point

The odometer on the record-breaking RS500 read just 5,192 miles before sale, adding to the desirability. An extensive history file accompanied the car, detailing the years of maintenance undertaken. 

All of this contributed to the colossal selling price, setting a new benchmark for performance Fords at auction.

Other big-sellers at the Race Retro auction included £109,125 paid for a 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4×4, with a Subaru Impreza 22B STi making £140,625.

A Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II, owned by actor Rowan Atkinson, achieved £87,750 on the auction block.

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