1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth

20th Sep, 2023 13:00
30th Anniversary Sale at The Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
www.handh.co.u...
Finished in Ford Crystal Blue (U7), one of the rarest Cosworth colours having been in production only from initial launch to August 1988 (eight months)
Subject to significant amounts of recent expenditure
Retained by Ford Motor Company as a Fleet vehicle when new
Early rear-wheel drive version (lighter than the later 4x4 version)
The sight of rival manufacturers reaping the rewards of successful circuit racing programmes prompted Ford to renew its alliance with engine builder Cosworth to create the eponymous Sierra. Assembly of the minimum 5,000 required for Group A homologation commenced in June 1986 at the company's Genk plant in Belgium. Based on the three-door Sierra bodyshell, the RS Cosworth combined the standard 1,993cc Pinto engine's cylinder block with a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, the first time this combination had been seen in a production Ford engine. Topping it off was a Cosworth-developed, twin-camshaft, 16-valve cylinder head fed by a Garrett AiResearch turbocharger, the latter being deemed necessary to achieve a competitive power output for racing, which in time would amount to over 500bhp! Even in standard road trim, the Sierra RS Cosworth produced a staggering 204bhp, its Weber-Marelli engine management system ensuring that the resulting stupendous performance was delivered with minimal turbo lag. Needless to say, the standard Sierra underpinnings were comprehensively uprated to cope. In 1987 the hatchback version ceased production and was replaced by the more refined Sapphire RS Cosworth four-door saloon, which was built for the years 1988 and 1989, some 13,000 being completed.
An early two-wheel drive Sapphire Cosworth, ‘E882 GAR’ was manufactured new in 1988, being retained by Ford Motor Company when new before being first registered on the 22nd of April that year. Finished from new in the striking colour scheme of Ford Crystal Blue (U7), this is one of the rarest Sapphire Cosworth colours having been in production only from initial launch to August 1988 (eight months), and with very few thought to have been finished in this colour. Featuring the Anthracite fog lamp surrounds denoting it as an early 2WD example, the Sierra has the complementary Grey velour Recaro interior trim which is pleasingly unmolested. Acquired by the registered keeper, an RS Owners Club member, in 2021, the previous owner had purchased the car during 2015 and was also an enthusiast and a member of the RS Owners Club. Now having covered some 109,500 miles at the time of consignment, the Sierra has been displayed at several owners' club events.
Subject to significant improvement in previous and current ownerships, in 2018 the Sierra benefitted from a turbocharger overhaul with a new seal plate, bearing housing and bearings, shaft and wheel; an uprated coil, and a Stage One tune by Motorsport Developments at the cost of approximately £920. Supplied with new brake discs and pads, timing belt and tensioner, clutch, cambelt, power steering belt, alternator belt, crank position sensor, and coolant sensor in 2020 (costing over £700), the Sapphire received almost £1,600 worth of further improvements in 2021 with exhaust back box, steering rack boots and UJ, rear driveshafts, turbo damper and other enhancements. Offered with a history file that contains the original book pack including the owner’s handbook presented in the Ford wallet, a collection of previous MOT certificates including a new advisory ticket until June 2024, numerous invoices, and a current V5C document.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
[e-mail]
07538 667452