Whale-tail excess: Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 sells for £596,250

Updated: 26 February 2023

► 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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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. 

Silverstone Auctions sold this Cossie for a world record price

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.

By Tim Pollard

Group digital editorial director, car news magnet, crafter of words

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