One to Buy: ex-Andy Rouse Engineering 1989 BTCC title-winning Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500
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Until the arrival of Nissan’s technological tour de force which was the R32 Skyline GT-R, Ford’s RS500 iteration of the Sierra Cosworth ruled the roost as the ultimate Group A touring car of its day.
The RS500 was conceived to take advantage of the FIA’s Evolution rule that allowed manufacturers to create more extreme iterations of their already homologated base car every twelve months so long as a minimum of 500 road cars were also built.
Produced between March and July of 1987, the RS500 most notably featured a trick engine that enabled the Group A racing version to develop considerably more power (up from 370bhp to 470bhp). The RS500 also came with a series of modifications to improve cooling and downforce.
Set to go under the hammer at the Iconic Auctioneers sale at the Silverstone Festival on August 25th is arguably one of the most famous RS500s in existence: the car used Andy Rouse for the 1989 British Touring Car Championship (chassis 0189).
That season, Rouse drove the Kaliber-backed machine in all 13 rounds of the BTCC. Aside from three retirements in the opening four races, he went on to finish on the podium at ever round and picked up a half dozen wins, six pole positions and four fastest laps.
Rouse ended the year as Group A champion and was classified third in the overall championship which had a complex four-class structure that allowed the less powerful entries to potentially claim the title.
Today chassis 0189 is presented in superb original condition after 30 years out of the public eye.
