One to Buy: 19,000 mile Diamond White 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth
When Ford wanted to source a suitable power unit for the original three-door Sierra Group A homologation special, they turned to Cosworth who developed the legendary YBB unit which became the first production car engine to develop more than 100bhp per litre.
The only catch from Ford’s perspective was that Cosworth wanted an order for 15,000 YBB motors, a figure far in excess of the 5000 cars needed to qualify for Group A.
As a consequence, the surplus of YBB engines was used up (and another batch ordered) during production of the saloon-bodied Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth manufactured between 1988 and 1990.
Although Ford subsequently went on to offer a four-wheel drive version of the Sapphire RS Cosworth after production of the rear-drive machine was discontinued in March 1990, for many enthusiasts, the lighter, less complicated original is the model to have.
Of the little over 13,000 Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworths completed, most either racked up moon mileage or were heavily modified. Accordingly, to find a perfectly maintained, low mileage example in OEM trim can be difficult.
However, that’s precisely what will be going under the hammer at Iconic Auctioneers’ February 22nd sale at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
Supplied new to its first owner, David King, by Candor Motors in Colchester three months after production had ended on June 11th 1990, chassis ‘72208’ was configured in Diamond White with the optional black leather upholstery.
Today, this exceptional example of the rear-drive Sapphire RS Cosworth theme has covered a little over 19,000 miles from new and comes complete with its original book book.
Reprinted below is Iconic Auctioneers’ description:
A genuine 19,000-mile Sapphire Cosworth in excellent condition throughout
Chassis Number: WFOFXXGBBFKE72208
Engine Number: KE72208
Transmission: Manual
Body Colour: Diamond White
DESCRIPTION
In 1986, the original Sierra Cosworth was a new kind of performance car - a blue-collar hero able to humble true sports cars.
A couple of years later, Ford introduced the Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth, a more ‘discreet’ version, built using the four-door Sapphire bodyshell, initially with the same rear-wheel drive layout as the three-door original and then later with four-wheel drive, but even with a more restrained exterior, a plush velour interior and an executive four-door shell, the Sapphire was far from dull.
The early rear-wheel drive cars benefited from 204bhp from the YBB engine (205 block), a T5 gearbox, 7" x 15" lattice alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, side skirts and Recaro seats, with 0-60mph taking 6.1 seconds.
Despite the extra power and potential for greater traction, the later 4x4 Sapphire was slower to 60mph, reaching the speed in 6.6 secs. Approximately 13,140 2WD Sapphire examples were produced during 1988-1989 and all were assembled in Belgium at Ghenk, powered by UK-built Ford-Cosworth engines.
Supplied new by Candor Motors Ltd. in Colchester (Dealer Code 44179) on the 11 June 1990 to its first keeper, Mr David King, this particular two-wheel drive Sapphire RS Cosworth is finished in Diamond White complemented by a full Raven Leather interior.
Used sparingly throughout its life the Sapphire, at the time of viewing, had a current recorded mileage of just 19,173 which, over a period of some twenty four years, equates to an annual mileage of less than 800.
In superb order throughout, the Cosworth has clearly been maintained as required confirmed by the original service book displaying eleven service stamps.
The car's history file and dealer book pack also contains a selection of previous V5Cs, older MOT certificates and tax discs, Vecta immobiliser details and various invoices and associated paperwork.
It's recently benefited from four new tyres, however, three of the original D40 tyres have been retained but are clearly not now fitted due to age and a new standard fitment exhaust has very recently being sourced and is now in place.
With the availability of a substantial number of aftermarket performance and cosmetic enhancements for these cars, it’s rare to find one with nothing added or nothing taken away, so if you are looking for an unmolested, original RS Cosworth, this is probably one of the worthiest candidates currently available.
The lighter and rarer version of the Sapphire, this two-wheel drive example is one for the Ford connoisseur offering its new owner entry into the exclusive world of RS ownership and, with that in mind, we welcome and encourage your early inspection, pre-sale, to satisfy yourself as to the suitability of this increasingly desirable Cosworth.
