Sierra Cosworth RS500 is a potential record breaker
A 1988 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500, with just 6,000 miles on the clock is tipped to break auction records when it comes up for sale at Silverstone Auctions’ Classic Motor Show Sale.
The RS500 was developed specifically to help Ford win the British and European Touring Car Championships, and 500 road-going Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500s were built to qualify the model for motor racing. The 1988 example listed is one of just 56 delivered in white, making it rarer still.
The 224 bhp racing special was discovered in 2007 by car dealer Joe Macari in a classic Ferrari car collection in Germany. He later sold it on to a private Ford collector who put the car in climate controlled storage where it has remained until now.
The car is in nearly perfect, original condition, especially rare given the commonality of modifying performance Fords of its era. The only work done to this car was a major service in 2014 when the engine belts, battery and fluids were replaced.
Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions emphasised the condition of the car. “Very few of us have ever come across one of these in such a well-preserved state with such low mileage. The Sierra Cosworth RS500 is truly the car of the moment among collectors, and this is the best example I’ve ever seen,” he said.
A similar 1987 RS500, with twice the mileage, made the headlines earlier this year by achieving a record-breaking auction price of £115,000 at Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Silverstone Classic. All eyes will be on this example in November with what now looks to be a conservative estimate of £100,000 – £115,000.