Highlights
- Early pre-facelift model
- Impressive history file
- Recent restoration to standard specification
The Appeal
Ford has an enviable pedigree when it comes to the sporting saloon. Guided by a tradition of decades of motor racing, along with their connection with Cosworth, their development of the Pinto 4-cylinder engines was bred for success. Turbocharging took a prominent place in the 1980s, followed by the progression of 4-wheel drive as a performance tool, both of which thrust the car into competition in the World Rally Championship.
Following the MK1 3-door Sierra Cosworth, Ford tapped into the marketing potential of using the 4-door Sapphire body. By increasing the horses to 220 bhp to compensate for the extra weight of the 4WD system, the Sierra Sapphire Cosworth RS offered blistering performance with total practicality.
Following the MK1 3-door Sierra Cosworth, Ford tapped into the marketing potential of using the 4-door Sapphire body. By increasing the horses to 220 bhp to compensate for the extra weight of the 4WD system, the Sierra Sapphire Cosworth RS offered blistering performance with total practicality.
One of just 12,250 models produced, this earlier de-cat version of the YBJ-powered Sierra Sapphire Cosworth RS was registered in early 1991. Finished in Moonstone blue with raven black leather upholstery, this enthusiast-owned example has been restored to its original specification, with detailing down to new engine stickers.
With over £12,000 worth of invoices, £5,000 in the last 3 years alone, this car has been brought up to a show-winning standard and a tribute to the owner's passion for the Ford brand. It comes with an MOT to June 2024, has seen yearly services since its restoration and has to be considered one of the cleanest examples available on the market today.
With over £12,000 worth of invoices, £5,000 in the last 3 years alone, this car has been brought up to a show-winning standard and a tribute to the owner's passion for the Ford brand. It comes with an MOT to June 2024, has seen yearly services since its restoration and has to be considered one of the cleanest examples available on the market today.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in January 1991
- Early pre-facelift model
- Believed to have been first registered by Skipper of Burnley
- According to several historical V5 documents spent much of its time in Scotland
- Current V5c present
- Placed into term storage in 2010
- Bought by the current owner in 2020 and restored to original specifications
- Enthusiasts owner has a long history of restoring Fords to a high standard
- Recent mechanical and cosmetic invoices totalling over £5,000
- The body was subject to the complete removal and treatment of rusty panels
- Previous invoices back to 1999
- A selection of previous MOTs seems to suggest a genuine mileage
- Recent immobiliser and tracker fitted
- Show winning example which has covered around 1000 miles a year
- Regularly serviced
- MOT to June 2024
- Stored indoors
- Being sold due to retirement
The Interior
- Full raven Recaro black leather seats show light creases and the odd mark but are intact
- Carpets in excellent condition with no signs of dampness
- Full set of mats available
- The dashboard and centre console are in excellent condition
- Switchgear, dials and controls free of wear
- The original radio/cassette player is fitted but needs wiring up
- Otherwise, everything else is said to work as it should
- The steering wheel and gear lever are in excellent shape
- Door cards are free of scuffs and well mounted, the nearside rear panel shows light fraying on the top and light split on the passenger door bin
- Headlining intact with light marks noted at the rear
- Boot in excellent order with no signs of heavy use
The Exterior
- Structurally, the car appears to be in excellent condition, with a solid inhibitor-treated floor pan and rear inner wheel wells
- Engine bay and boot floor intact
- No discernible signs of corrosion were observed on the exterior panels
- The panels are flush with even door shut lines and free of any form of dents
- The off-side rear door is slightly proud
- mild signs of age were noted on the wheel arch lips
- Bumpers are well mounted and free of damage or scuffs
- The Moonstone blue paintwork is very neatly presented with a decent lustre and even colour match throughout
- The trim is all correct for the model, down to the front badge detail
- The lights and lenses are all in good shape
- The glass is free of significant damage and commensurate with the age of the car
- The door and glass seals are all intact
- 15” alloys in excellent condition
- Toyo Proxes tyres date from 2017. All are in very good shape with even legal tread
The Mechanics
- 220bhp 2-litre twin overhead-cam red top YBJ Cosworth engine
- Ferguson MT75 five-speed gearbox
- 4 wheel drive
- The engine fires up without hesitation and no warning lights on the dashboard
- Idled evenly on the day on tick over but the owner has pointed out it fluctuates occasionally but never stalls
- Engine free of unwanted noises
- No leaks were observed on the day
- The engine is beautifully presented with evidence of considerable spending over the last 3 years This includes:
- Full set of new hoses
- Water pump, cam belt and tensioner
- New Ignition leads
- Various new sensors, regulators and gaskets
- Airtec 11” cooling fans
- An additional £1,500 worth of new engine parts
- Said to drive very well, with a slick gear change
- Brakes and stops as it should
- scorpion exhaust stainless
Summary
A genuine labour of love, the owner bought the car as a solid proposition and improved it further to a standard which has been recognised and rewarded at several classic car events. Beautifully presented inside and out, originality is the key to this car. As a potential investor-value car, you can’t get much better than a car restored with this level of detail.
BEFORE YOU BUY
BEFORE YOU BUY
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