1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

Description

• AT AUCTION – Please Click HERE
• Fantastic unmolested original example
• Extremely well looked after
• Recent new Clutch and starter motor
• New MOT to May 2025
• Very large History File
• Part of a small collection

You feel the chassis’ eager energy. When pushed, it will wriggle and fidget showing its pedigree. But the reciprocal benefits of this thoroughbred come quickly. The crisp turn-in and the way understeer can be kept at bay with the right foot. The sharp throttle response. Then there is the sound.

This isn’t a car that would be built today. That is one of the many reasons they are now so popular. The last one we auctioned recently in April 2024 ended with a highest bid of £77,500.

History and background

Introduced at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show. Conceived as a means of homologating the Sierra for Group A Touring Car Racing, the Cosworth’s three-door monocoque bodyshell was aerodynamically enhanced via a deep front air dam, side skirts and a ‘whale tail’ rear spoiler.

Powered by a Cosworth-designed 2-litre DOHC 16-valve turbo engine allied to Borg Warner T5 manual transmission. The rear-wheel drive hatchback was credited with developing some 204bhp and 205lbft. Reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and 149.5mph in standard tune.

Total production of the first generation RS Cosworth is thought to have amounted to only 5,542 cars.

History

At the first financial opportunity our vendor had, he scratched that decades old itch and purchased his boyhood dream car. An age-old story that rings true with most of us.

• This Sierra RS Cosworth was purchased five years ago from Coxes Classics
• Our vendor has spent time and money keeping it in superb condition
• Supplied with two keys
• The Cosworth comes complete with large file of work carried out
• New MOT to 1st May 2025
• Driven less than 3,000 miles since 2005
• Less than 1,000 miles driven in our vendors ownership

With other cars in his collection and the RS Cosworth getting little use, he has decided that someone with more time should enjoy it. He shared that he has been blown away and feels extremely privileged to have owned, enjoyed and loved such a special car.

Outside

Black paintwork with contrasting grey interior. Black may be the toughest to keep clean and unmarked, but it does look stunning in this colour.

Within the documents pack, you will find that our vendor has had a three-stage polish and tidy up carried out on some minor areas that were showing signs of ageing. It demonstrates how our vendor is with his cars. He also advised that he thinks the front bumper may have dropped slightly as he is unsure of the alignment. We could not see much wrong ourselves.

He also mentioned a couple of marks on the rear quarter glass that bug him slightly. Being conscious not to get involved and ruin the originality, he has not attempted to sort that

Take a look through the image gallery. In particular, note the condition of the underside of the Cosworth..

The original 15 inch RS Cosworth wheels were refurbished just prior to our vendor purchasing the Sierra RS Cosworth. On really close inspection, there is very minor age-related areas coming through, but we do mean very minor.

Inside

Slide inside and the first thing you will notice is that the Recaros look as good as when it left the factory. New bolsters have been professionally fitted. The rear seats look as though they may never have been used. The door pads are in similar condition. The carpets are in great nick, with protective mats in place keeping them that way.  The RS steering wheel belies its age. The dashboard shows none of the usual brittleness or cracking. All the switches present properly and work their relevant ancillaries correctly. There has been a slightly more modern CD unit fitted. It does add a little extra convenience with its USB port.

The boot area presents just as nice and clean, with a very nice fifth Cosworth wheel proudly sporting a nearly new Continental tyre and hiding the original jack, etc. in its well.

Mechanicals

• The 2.0-litre engine uses a Garrett T3 turbocharger
• Performance from the 204HP 2.0 DOHC Garrett AiResearch T3 turbocharger is impressive
• 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 149mph
• 15 X 7 inch RS Sierra Cosworth alloy wheels
• The boot houses the spare in what looks like the original dealer foam protection
• Diagonally split hydraulic brake circuits
• Anti-lock braking assisted 28.3cm ventilated Tarox 40 groove discs up front
• 3cm discs at the rear
• Five speed Borg-Warner gearbox
• The Cosworth engine delivered that enormous torque to the rear axle through a viscous-coupling and limited-slip differential.
• The Cosworth stayed with MacPherson strut front axle and semi-trailing arm rear set up
• The suspension was tuned with different spring rates, dampers and anti-roll bars by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering division to suit the car’s new purpose
• Plus a quicker steering rack with 2.6 turns lock-to-lock

 

Leading a cossetted life, this Cosworth has been spoilt The only thing non-standard is an auxiliary fan. Those in the know will be aware that in traffic this legendary engine, as with all twin cam engines, do tend to run slightly hot. A wise addition and the eagle eyed of you will no doubt have spotted the extra switch on the dashboard.

• This Sierra RS Cosworth was treated to a new clutch, not that it needed one mind. However, our vendor felt it was feeling a little heavy so went about getting it replaced
• The old one came out with only 50% wear so that will be boxed and supplied with the car
• At the same time, it also had a new starter motor. Again, our vender was not quite happy and felt it was starting to get a little lazy
• During that work it had new spark plugs fitted
• There is an invoice for a recent full main dealer service too – check out our gallery
• The brakes have been treated to all new copper lines
• It has also had a new fuel tank

Our vendor has taken such good care of this example that it felt rude to ask – but we did anyway, he confirmed it is “as it should be with no unsightly knocks or squeaks. It drives nicely and will be an absolute pleasure for the winning bidder.”

Our view

It would be impossible to overstate how much this car changed the landscape. There has and will never be anything like it. It thoroughly deserves its space on the podium of great classic cars.

The lucky new owner will have some choices. Drive and enjoy, take to shows or just add it to your collection. Or all three.

With such small numbers being built and with many of these being crashed, thrashed or modified, prices for good original one’s are going through the roof. It is a pleasure to have one come to market in this condition. Whatever your plans are, this three door Sierra RS Cosworth has been reserved very realistically.

Vehicle Location: Ilfracombe, North Devon EX34  – it’s the responsibility of the buyer to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Sierra RS Cosworth? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices? 

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So, we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at team@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to get back to you, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please. 

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect. Your own analysis is very important, and we are here to help and answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

We offer and positively encourage buyers to view or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding.

If we do take a physical, as opposed to a remote, look at any of the vehicles on our platform, they are not those of a qualified vehicle inspector or other professional. Nor do they include a test drive unless expressly stated.

As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics.

So, please, unless we state explicitly to the contrary, please assume that classic vehicles on our platform could have had remedial bodywork of any kind at some point in its life.

Final comments on images and photos. 

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If you are at all unsure, just ask us. It is what we are here for.

Finally, please note that vehicles are sold as seen and a returns policy is not applicable. This is the norm for used items acquired at auction.

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