The RS Cosworth gave the Sierra range proper ‘street cred’. Ford Motorsport under Stuart Turner needed a Group A saloon to replace the Capri. Conveniently, Cosworth had developed a 16-valve twin-cam version of the Pinto engine that, once turbocharged, would create a stonking Touring Car in the light three-door fleet Sierra bodyshell. Aerodynamic work yielded effective spoilers; a nose intake fed air to the intercooler. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and 7x15in alloys were specified, but the RS tag was used only in the UK.
Initial sales network reaction was poor, so Ford massaged the price and spec, restricting the model to one trim colour and three external: Diamond White, Black or Moonstone Blue.
Having built enough cars to homologate for Motorsport by the end of ’86, including 500 shells set aside to be the evolution RS500, Ford’s next Cosworth would be a more civilised road car, not a competition special. The new fourdoor Sapphire saloon shell proved no heavier than the old three-door, but more aerodynamic.
The RS500, modified from standard threedoor Cosworths by Aston Martin Tickford, was the most successful on track and is now the most desirable, but was barely any quicker as a road car. All were right-hand drive, intended for the UK, and almost all were black. The engine featured a stiffer block, larger turbo and intercooler, twinrail injection and modified inlets.
Road power only went up from 204 to 224bhp, but race trim soared from 350 to 550bhp. Spoilers increased downforce and the rear suspension allowed more adjustability. Copies are common: Ford sold a vast range of development parts and it was possible to uprate to RS500 spec. Ford Motorsport part numbers begin with code 909. RS500 chassis numbers on the slam panel and beside the driver’s seat are WFOEXXGBBEGG 38600-39099; engine numbers (remove cambelt cover to see) are YBD 0015-0537.
Finally, in 1987, the new MT75 transmission was strong enough to mate the Cosworth engine to the 4×4 chassis. Ford wasted no time in developing the Cosworth 4×4, with a stronger block, revised head and manifolds, plus a slightly larger turbo than on the Sapphire, giving peak power of 220bhp to cope with the extra friction and 210lb penalty of the four-wheel drive. Originality, meticulous servicing and lack of rot are the key areas when buying any Cosworth Sierra.
Rot spots
1 Front panels, both for rust and crash damage / 2 Front wheel-arches / 3 Front inner wings, notably strut tops / 4 Front bulkhead / 5 Sills / 6 Petrol tank / 7 Rear chassis legs, especially near the spring seats / 8 Tailgate and surround / 9 Floorpans / 10 Rear wheelarches and valances
Meticulous servicing is vital. Upgrades are common but cause problems: standard engines must stay below 330bhp. The cambelt should be changed every 30,000 miles or five years. Listen for piston slap when starting from cold, and have a compression test done. Misfires can be minor, but indicate serious issues. A rebuild costs £3-5000.
Recaros are good but cabin is otherwise cheaply made. Look for cracked plastic dash top, worn seat bolsters and failed controls. Trim material is hard to find.
Careful maintenance, especially avoiding air leaks, prolongs turbo life. Remove the inlet hose and check fore-aft movement of the impeller (there shouldn’t be any).
Ford’s strongest 7 ½ in diff was used, but isn’t indestructible; listen for noises. Discs warp with heavy use. Dampers don’t last that long; yellow Konis should be black.
Internal corrosion leading to head gasket failure is common: look for coolant leaks on exhaust side and signs of overheating. Confirm that fans work at full capacity.
Rubber suspension bushes need regular replacement (or polyurethane), especially in the steering track control arms and anti-roll bar mounts.
Borg Warner T5 transmission is strong, albeit notchy when cold. Check for worn synchro on second and third; baulking on all gears might be a failing clutch cable.
RS Cosworth is in its element on switchback country roads, where its fun handling should be firm and wallow-free.
On the road
Our feature car is one of the most original examples around, yet even it has had the Stage 1 tune – a simple remap that’s said to be better for the engine, which otherwise is a little strangled in standard form. A Cosworth should be reliable, dependable transport, although minor electrical issues can have a massive impact.
Poor supply to the fuel pump can make the engine run lean and melt pistons: a separate fused supply is vital. Check the fuel pressure regulator at the front of the fuel rail, especially its pipework and hose-clips: leaks, again, have disastrous results. Over-fuelling is equally dangerous, commonly caused by sub-standard ‘uprating’ chips: it dilutes the oil causing rapid engine wear. It cannot be over-stressed how important is thorough maintenance by someone who really knows Cossies: be wary of buying a car that has no evidence of such care.
The cooling fans also need their own electrical supply. Engine bay wiring degrades with heat and age, sending intermittent signals to the ECU: again engine failure can result. Old and poorly installed alarms give many problems.
Misfires are common; the rotor arm, dizzy cap, leads and plugs must be 100% (or uprated to a wasted-spark system). Crank and cam sensor settings are also critical. Always compression test a misfiring engine before buying, in case a holed piston or similar is to blame.
All Cosworths should feel taut and lively, with not too much lag and no wallowing or creaking – anything less needs attention. Check for blue exhaust smoke (valve seals) or white (turbo wear).
Cabin boasts supportive Recaro seats and chunky wheel.
OWNER’S VIEW Ben Corner
“I was 20 when it came out, ”remembers Corner. “I was walking through Hereford when a stunning White RS Cosworth drove past and I wanted one immediately. I love the massive wing on the back, the big gaping hole at the front and the whole attitude of the car. My friend Sean Puckle bought this one from its first owner, a Grimsby businessman who felt so strongly about it that he interviewed Sean before agreeing to sell it to him. Sean won lots of awards with it and said he’d never sell, but one day he weakened and I jumped in quick before he changed his mind. I’ve had the Cosworth four years now and love driving it. It was my first turbo car and I find the lag quite fun; you can feel it coming in and then it really takes off. And it’s better put together than an Integrale.”
The knowledge
WHAT TO PAY 4dr RWD/4×4/3dr/RS500
Show/rebuilt £14/19/30/55,000
Average £9/12/20/40,000
Restoration £5/8/15/30,000
PARTS PRICES
RS500 front bumper c£1000
Turbo Stage 1 (exchange) £724
Engine wiring harness £658
Rebuilt gearbox £840
RWD limited-slip diff upgrade £970
AP four-pot brake upgrade kit £1926
Stainless-steel exhaust system £634
CLUB RS Owners’ Club 08445617483; www.rsownersclub.co.uk
BOOKS
The Sporting Fords Vol 4: Sierras Robson, MRP Cosworth and Ford: The Road Cars Robson, Crowood Ford Sierra RS Cosworth Pitt, CP Press
SPECIALISTS
MA Developments 07768356204 Norris
01773836274 Burton Power 02085189136
Motorsport Developments 01253508400
Graham Goode 01162440080 Grove Garage
01708726518 Matt Lewis 01543379524
Supreme 01733576614 Grace Engine
Developments 01635550472 Julian Godfrey
01435 865999 Ford Parts www.fordpartsuk.com
One to buy £21,999
Year of manufacture 1990
Recorded mileage 37,188
Vendor Kinson Motor Co, Southampton; tel: 023 8076 6870
For Excellent order; very nearly standard
Against Paint is a bit thick in places
This Sapphire 4×4 has clearly been extensively renovated, with the result being a nice, stock-looking car. It’s been painted, thickly in places – notably the inner wing channels/bonnet shuts – but the structure seems solid with no rot. The sill trims are a bit wavy on their undersides but that’s normal. It sits on 11-year-old Uniroyals with an unused Nexen on the spare, which lives in a perfect well. The fuel tank looks new, too.
Of most interest is how much money the previous owner spent with Graham Goode, the first £6000-plus in 2009 for lots of replacement parts, followed by another £9k on an engine and ’box rebuild, plus calipers. It suggests that he was starting with a tatty but solid car that he was determined to bring up to scratch. The only non-standard parts are vernier cam-wheels and a Mongoose exhaust, plus various Polybushes.
Inside, the carpets are unworn, plus the headlining is excellent – as is the dash, housing the original Ford-branded stereo/cassette. All four electric windows work, as does the wind-your-own sunroof, the drain holes of which are clear. The YB motor starts instantly with no smoke, just a hint of cam followers that soon settle. It behaves well, with a firm chassis and a nice brake pedal. Temperature, in typical Ford fashion, sits a third of the way up the gauge. Fourth in the MTX75 ’box is a little less than intuitive to find, but this is normal. The MoT runs until 30 May.
Sapphire has been thoroughly restored; alloys unmarked Cabin smart, with mint carpets and lightly worn hide trim YB engine tidy, with pink coolant to level and cleanish oil.
Brilliant makeover, with bodykit and massive rear spoiler, turned the humble Sierra into a racing pin-up
Our verdict
A good, unspoilt Cosworth is hugely rewarding to own; a botched, abused one is a nightmare. So buy carefully, especially if you’re determined To own a hatchback. Prices are already sky-high for three-doors and well-preserved Sapphires are taking off, too. They are just as fast and arguably more usable, but will never be worth as much, so beware excessive prices.
FOR
• Phenomenal performance
• Iconic ’80s looks, particularly the hatchback
• Practical and usable
• Well supported by specialists
AGAINST
• Fakes are common
• Most original Cosworths have been modified
• Many have been stolen and/or crashed, so a thorough inspection/history check is vital
TIMELINE
1983 Mar RS Cosworth specification set out
1985 Mar Launched at Geneva Motor Show
1986 Series production gets under way at Genk, Belgium; 5000 built by December
1987 Jan Homologation achieved; 5542 three-door Cosworths built, 2616 for UK
1987 Jun RS500 unveiled: 225bhp, 206lb ft, limited-slip differential; homologated 1 August; Cosworth wins World Touring Car Championship and RAC Open Rally Championship
1988 Jan Four-door added (Sapphire in UK), 13,140 built; RS500 wins European and British Touring Car Championships – and many more
1990 Jan 4×4 four-door announced, with louvred bonnet; deliveries from April, homologated 1 August. Engine YBG with cat, YBJ without
1992 Manufacture ends (with circa 12,250 Cosworth 4x4s produced)
FACT FILE
Sold/number built 1986-’1992/30,932
Construction steel monocoque
Engine iron-block, alloy-head dohc 16-valve 1993cc ‘four’, Garrett T03 turbo (T04 on RS500) and Weber/Marelli injection/engine management;
Max power 201bhp @ 6000rpm-225bhp @ 6000rpm;
Max torque 204lb ft @ 4500rpm-214lb ft @ 3500rpm
Transmission Borg Warner T5 five-speed manual, driving rear/all wheels (via LSD on RS500)
Suspension: front MacPherson struts rear semi-trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers; anti-roll bar f/r
Steering variable power assistance, rack and pinion, 2.4 turns lock-to-lock
Brakes discs all round, front 11.1in vented, rear 10.7in (vented on 4×4), with servo and ABS
Length 14ft 5in-14ft 9in (4390-4495mm)
Width 5ft 7in-5ft 8in (1700-1720mm)
Height 4ft 5 ½ in-4ft 6in (1360-1375mm)
Wheelbase 8ft 7in (2608mm)
Weight 2629-2874lb (1195-1305kg)
0-60mph 6.6-5.9 secs
Top speed 142-148mph
Mpg 19-30
Price new £17,100 (1987)
INSURANCE
£300.66, for a 30-year-old London-based driver with full no-claims bonus and a clean licence on a 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth as a second car, agreed value £25,000, garaged overnight, 5000 limited mileage. Lancaster: 01480 484848.
THE ALTERNATIVES
BMW M3 E30
Extensive re-skinning for lightness and a purpose-built four-pot gave BMW a demon homologation special. Beware subframe cracks (and rust), especially on lowered/stiffened cars.
Sold/no built 1986-’1991/17,970
Mpg 20-28
0-60mph 6.7-6 secs
Top speed 143-154mph
Price new £22,750 (1987)
Now £50-75,000+
MERCEDES-BENZ 190E 2.3/2.5-16 W201
With a 16v Cosworth head, the 190 was only slightly slower than its rivals despite its heavy shell. A full history is vital and look out for rot, which can be extensive.
Sold/no built 1983-’1992/26,128
Mpg 22-33
0-60mph 7.4 secs
Top speed 138mph
Price new £24,670 (1987)
Now £10-20,000+
