Highlights
- Part of the Simms collection in Pangbourne
- Immaculate factory correct condition
- Just 60,200 miles
- Recent full ‘nut & bolt’ rotisserie restoration
- Only five previous keepers from new
- One of only 579 RS Cosworths produced in 1987
- Full service history
- Current MOT to June 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
Anyone who was into cars in the 80s will remember the Sierra RS Cosworth, the car that many young, impressionable boys and girls aspired to own. Of course, it’s the high-performance version of the Ford Sierra, built by Ford Europe from 1986 to 1992. It was the result of a Ford Motorsport project to produce an outright winner for Group A racing in Europe. A legend was born that today ranks amongst the most evocative and nostalgic cars of that era.
This impressive example, finished in the desirable Moonstone Metallic shade, has covered just 60,000 miles from new. The vendor describes it as ‘showroom condition’ inside, outside and underside. With just five previous keepers, the car has spent several years in the famous Simms Fast Ford Collection, amongst some of the most desirable RS models in the world.
The current keeper purchased it in 2021 and moved it into his private collection, where it has been well cared for. It was recently subject to a full rotisserie restoration to a very high and correct factory condition. Now is the time for the car to leave the collection and let another die-hard enthusiast take over the ownership of this true 80s icon. It comes to market with the added reassurance of a lengthy MOT to June 2026, containing no advisories.
The vendor says:
“Opportunities like these don’t come along very often, and when they do, it will be a dream come true for the lucky buyer to own such an iconic low-ownership and low-mileage car in superb condition. Restored by an avid Fast Ford collector, you can be sure everything is correct.
To find a three-door RS Cosworth in such immaculate condition is virtually unheard of, making this a car which will generate a tremendous amount of interest worldwide. If you have always wanted an iconic Fast Ford to invest in and enjoy, look no further, you have found the one.”
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 4th September 1987
- Six keepers from new
- Current keeper since March 2021
- V5 is present
- Supplied by E.Ward Main Ford Dealers, Wellingborough
- Two sets of keys
- Current MOT valid until 19th June 2026 with no advisories
- Previously part of the Simms Collection
- Owners handbooks, inc for the Ford Radio Cassette
- Service book with twelve stamps
- Large file of paperwork
- Other invoices show service/restoration work carried out
- USB stick showing the rotisserie restoration in detail
- Several previous MOT certificates
The Condition
- Desirable Moonstone Blue Metallic paintwork (1903)
- The car presents in impeccable condition as shown in photos and videos
- Iconic design
- OEM original Ford branded radio cassette
- Velour two tone Recaro seats
- Superb and all original condition
- Factory waffle rubber Ford branded mats
Inside the RS Cosworth is perfection. It comes with some nice extras, which include a three-spoke leather steering wheel, Ford-branded stereo radio cassette, electric windows, manual tilt/slide sunroof and the rare waffle rubber mats.
The Recaro seats are in excellent condition. The door cards are excellent, as is the rear seat, which doesn't look like it's ever been sat in. The three-spoke leather steering wheel is excellent and shows no signs of wear. As you can imagine, the dashboard is free from any damage, and the instruments are working correctly, with the odometer displaying a reading of 60.200 miles.
The headlining is perfect with no issues, and the sunroof opens and closes correctly. There is a set of factory mats fitted, which are excellent, and the main carpet beneath is also superb. Inside the boot are the unused spare tyre and alloy wheel, again seemingly as new.
Finished in the stunning shade of Moonstone Blue, no other colour stands out as much as this with its deep wet gloss look. Looking around the car, it is quite clear that the Sierra RS Cosworth is in as near-perfect condition as you could get, with no dings or dents. The panels align as expected, and the paintwork has no blemishes. The lights are all excellent; there was a small amount of condensation in the passenger headlight caused by it being such a cold day, and the engine had been running when we photographed it. We did notice some slight delamination around the windscreen edges, this is very common to RS Cosworth with original factory glass, thankfully new replacement glass was not fitted!
Having benefitted from a full nut and bolt rotisserie restoration, you would expect this to be show quality and it does not disappoint, this car has never been anything but cossetted, its home is a garage and has rarely, if ever seen the rain, The windows are free from any scratches and have the original Ward Ford dealer decal in place. The number plates are also Ward Ford items with the vendor actually having the branded plates from 1987 sealed in the boot of the car – attention to detail like this sets this Cosworth apart from the usual molested examples that come to market. The seals and trims are all excellent, with no signs of age, including the sunroof seal. Fitted with the genuine Ford RS alloy wheels, these are in excellent condition with no damage or corrosion. The tyres are premium Continentals, which are in excellent condition.
The Mechanics
- 2.0 litre 16 Valve DOHC Cosworth engine
- Factory Borg Warner 5 speed manual
- Factory Garrett T3 turbocharger
- Well maintained regardless of mileage
- No advisories on current MOT
This 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was powered by a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, inline-four engine developed by Cosworth. It featured a 16-valve, DOHC cylinder head on a modified Pinto engine block and produced a factory-rated 204 horsepower, delivered to the rear wheels through a Borg Warner T5 five-speed manual transmission.
Key components included a Garrett AiResearch T3 turbocharger, an intercooler, and a Weber-Marelli engine management system. The car fires up as you would expect, with no issues reported; the drive is as it should be and pretty much like it was when new, to be expected with such a good service history. The brakes are also working as they should, bringing the car to a halt in a straight line.
Key components included a Garrett AiResearch T3 turbocharger, an intercooler, and a Weber-Marelli engine management system. The car fires up as you would expect, with no issues reported; the drive is as it should be and pretty much like it was when new, to be expected with such a good service history. The brakes are also working as they should, bringing the car to a halt in a straight line.
The underside of the car is stunning, just like the rest. The subframes and wishbones all look factory fresh, along with the differential and gearbox. Incredibly a cursory look at the MOT history reveals not a single failure or indeed advisory, has ever been recorded.
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