Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the BRDC Classic 2026 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 25th of July, The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN. Few modern performance Fords have achieved the lasting cult status of the ****** RS Cosworth. Developed as a homologation special for Ford’s World Rally Championship programme, the model combined the practical ****** bodyshell with the sophisticated four-wheel drive underpinnings and turbocharged Cosworth engineering derived from the Sierra RS Cosworth lineage. Instantly recognisable by its dramatically extended arches, bonnet vents and iconic bi-plane ‘whale tail’ rear spoiler, the ****** RS Cosworth became one of the defining performance cars of the 1990s and remains highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts today. Whilst many examples have lived hard lives, been modified extensively, or restored over time, this particular car appears to stand apart through the sheer quality of its preservation and the remarkable level of accompanying provenance retained throughout its life. It's distinctively presented in Radiant Red, one of only three examples believed to have been supplied in this colour and, when combined with its originality and apparent condition, this rarity further elevates what is already regarded as one of Ford’s most collectable modern-era RS models. First registered in 1996, the odometer displayed just 33, 000 miles at the time of cataloguing and is notably described as having had '"no former keepers from new", an extraordinary distinction for a performance car of this era and significance. This continuity of ownership and care is immediately reflected in the condition, presentation and accompanying documentation. Perhaps most remarkable is the extent and consistency of the history file accompanying the car. It benefits from a full Ford service history, together with what is understood to be every invoice and expenditure record retained from new and carefully organised in chronological order. Also included is the original Ford sales invoice supplied when the car was first purchased, together with all tax discs issued throughout its life, an increasingly rare survival that provides a fascinating timeline of the car’s history and continued use. Equally impressive is the car's MOT history supported by our vendor who confirms that it never missed an MOT test from new, with inspections reportedly carried out religiously every October or November regardless of mileage covered. More unusually still, not only has it never failed an MOT test but there is not a single advisory notice to be seen throughout its entire life, evidence of the standard of maintenance and preventative care afforded to the car over nearly three decades. Importantly for collectors, the RS Cosworth is described as entirely unmodified, preserving the factory specification so often lost with these cars during period ownership. Equally significant is the assertion that the car has never been restored, allowing it to retain a level of originality and authenticity increasingly difficult to find within the ****** RS Cosworth market. The car is also understood never to have sustained accident damage and is confirmed HPI clear. The original interior remains in exceptional condition throughout, while externally the car reportedly presents without blemishes. Our vendor notes that the car still retains what is described as its ‘showroom smell’, a particular nuance that is impossible to replicate but that resonates strongly with marque enthusiasts. Accompanying the car are four keys, including the important red master key, another detail often absent on surviving examples and indicative of the completeness of this particular car. The ****** RS Cosworth occupies a unique place within Ford’s performance history. Built in limited numbers and developed with direct links to Ford’s international rallying ambitions, it successfully blended genuine motorsport pedigree with everyday usability and dramatic road presence. As values and collector interest continue to strengthen, the market has become increasingly discerning, with originality, provenance and condition now carrying greater importance than ever before. In that respect, this example represents a particularly compelling opportunity. Combining apparent single ownership, exceptionally low mileage, complete originality, a rare colour choice, and one of the most comprehensive documented histories likely to accompany an ****** RS Cosworth, it is difficult to imagine many surviving examples presented to a comparable standard. Presented in what is described as outstanding condition throughout and retaining an extraordinary level of provenance from new, this highly original ****** RS Cosworth would undoubtedly reward the closest inspection and is likely to appeal equally to serious Ford collectors, marque enthusiasts and those seeking one of the finest preserved...
