► The world’s most expensive Sierra Cossie
► Immaculate RS500 sells for sky-high £596,250
► Knock-out sale at Race Retro in February 2023
The inexorable transformation of the car industry towards electrification is propelling the greatest hits of yesteryear to new heights, it seems: this low-mileage Ford Sierra Cosworth sold by Silverstone Auctions this weekend for nearly £600,000.
The 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 is in time-capsule condition, with just 5192 miles on the odometer, propelling its value way past its £150,000-£180,000 estimate.
It sold at Race Retro on 25 February for £596,250, including fees, smashing the previous £135,700 record for a Cossie set by Silverstone Auctions in 2022.
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A price bubble? Why prices for modern classics are sky-rocketing
There is growing realisation that modern classics are a rare breed that will not be replaced; those sceptical of the march of EVs are hankering for the more analogue greatest hits from yesteryear, pushing prices up.
The Sierra Cosworth fits the bill perfectly. Introduced in 1985 as a homologation special to propel the Blue Oval to Group A touring car race success, its outrageous performance and whale-tail style quickly made the roadgoing hot hatch a hit among enthusiasts.
In many ways, it came to define the excess of the 1980s/1990s – that heady period that begat specials like the Lotus Carlton and turbocharged, all-wheel drive rally specials including the Lancia Delta Integrale and Subaru Impreza WRX.
The RS500 is peak Cosworth; it was unveiled in July 1987 with power boosted to 224bhp and extra winglets for its outrageous spoiler. Just 500 examples were hand-assembled by Aston Martin Tickford, underlining its appeal as the ultimate fast Ford.