Highlights

Harvey Gibbs built engine, apparently putting out 560hp
We’re told this car was raced by Gary Woodcock in Formula Saloon
Comprehensively rebuilt in 2018
Finished to an exceptional standard
Numerous motorsport enhancements and features
Hardly used since rebuild – now track ready
Never registered for the road

The Appeal

When it comes to race cars, there have been numerous models that have enjoyed massive success. Many that have been truly beautiful to look at, or magnificent to drive. But for us, one race car stands head and shoulders above them all – a true blue collar hero from the glory days of BTCC: the Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500.

According to Motorsport Magazine, the RS500 Cosworth was the most successful homologated race car of all time, winning a mind-blowing 84.6% of the races it took part in. Certainly, it’s made a huge impact in the minds of enthusiasts and still enjoys huge popularity at shows and race events.

This example apparently has a real motorsport heritage, with the vendor telling us it was raced in Formula Saloon by Gary Woodcock. Built from a new shell in 2001 and comprehensively rebuilt in 2018, it presents in quite exceptional condition, having been finished to a lovely standard and fitted with a staggering number of motorsport enhancements and upgrades.

Never registered for the road and barely used since the rebuild was completed, we doubt you’ll find a better example. Ready and waiting for its new owner to take it out on track, this gorgeous track day weapon would be ideal for circuit use or hill climbs. With 560hp on tap – yes really – you’ll need to take your brave pills, but good gravy you’re going to have some fun…

The History and Paperwork

Built from a new Motorsport 909 bodyshell in 2001
Apparently competed in the Formula Saloon Championship at the hands of Gary Woodcock
Totally rebuilt in 2018/19 with many new components
Not registered for the road
Only used on four track days since the rebuild
The vendor tells us the car has been rated at 560hp
Comes with a number of invoices for parts used in the rebuild

The Interior

Stripped and ready to race
Full roll cage
Fixed Recaro bucket seat with Sabelt harness
DemonTweeks lap timer
Lifeline Systems installed fire extinguisher

Obviously, as this is a race car, the interior mostly consists of a pedal box, steering wheel, roll cage and a seat. The advantage of a car being so stripped out is that nothing is hidden. And what is clear here is that this RS500 has been kitted out extremely well, with high end parts and a superb level of fit and finish.

The dash and door cards are custom built and look to be neatly finished, with the dash featuring a wide range of the usual motorsport toggles, cut-offs and gauges. So all the controls fall easily to hand and it’s very easy to keep an eye on the all important temperature, pressure and boost figures.

Again, as the car has seen so little use since the rebuild, all of the driver’s controls, the seat and the harness appear to be in excellent condition, with minimal evidence of wear or use.

The Exterior

Classic Labatt’s BTCC livery
Wide arches
Adjustable front splitter
Iconic whale tail
Three-piece BBS alloys
External battery isolator
Polycarbonate windows
Quick release bonnet pins and rear hatch latches
Race specification tow eyes front and rear

Finished in the iconic Labatt’s livery this RS500 looks every inch the brutal 90s BTCC racer. And it’s all the better for it. Sprayed in gloss white with the livery then applied, the finish is excellent, with no significant marks or blemishes we could identify.

Similarly, the bodywork is presented in very good order, with no damage or corrosion we could discern at all. Quite simply, it looks magnificent.

The car is sitting on period correct 17-inch, three-piece BBS alloys. They’re finished with gold centres and polished barrels and lips and look to be in very nice condition. They are wrapped in sticky medium compound Dunlop racing slicks, 235/620 fronts and 290/645 rears.

We’ve saved the best for last though – the underside. Few cars are as clean and well presented underneath as this one is. The floors and sills look near immaculate, while the drivetrain components have clearly benefited from copious amounts of work, with significant refurbishment and many new parts.

The Mechanics

Harvey Gibbs built engine (2-litre, 16-valve Cosworth)
Double valve springs, BD16 camshafts, WRC head gasket
Fully ported head
200 block long studs
BorgWarner 76/70 EFR twin-scroll turbo
Nortec turbo manifold
Turbosmart Hyper-Gate45 dump valve
Oppliger Motorsport plenum with 1,000cc injectors
Link engine management system with a bespoke loom
Mapped by HT Racing, said to offer a reliable 560hp
Ultra-light flywheel with AP twin plate paddle
Quaife Motorsport ‘dog box’
Gripper differential with race-spec driveshafts
GAZ adjustable coilovers
700lb front and 1,400lb rear springs
Bladed anti-roll bars front and rear
Adjustable front top mounts
Fusion front strut brace
AP Racing brakes – four pot callipers front and rear
AP Racing 360mm discs
AP Racing master cylinders
Twin Bosch fuel pumps and twin lift pumps
ATL fuel cell
Primary Designs bespoke exhaust system, with twin side exits

Just take a moment to drink in that specification list – Harvey Gibbs engine, Quaife transmission, BD16 cams, Borg Warner twin-scroll… It’s pretty much everything you could want from a motorsport focussed RS500, and then some.

The vendor tells us that the car drives very well, offering strong, usable performance. They report no mechanical problems or issues that they are aware of.

Summary

An icon of 90s motorsport, the RS500 is a proper “bedroom poster” car. This beautifully finished, comprehensively rebuilt example is one of the finest we’ve seen. Ridiculously powerful, rare and truly collectible, this is certainly not one to miss and a genuine “once in a blue moon” offering…

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