Lot details
Registration No: J210KLT
Chassis No: WFOFXXGBBFLB46883
Mot Expiry: Feb 2009

The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth created a legend as soon as it went on sale in 1986. The first Ford production car to carry the Cosworth name, it could run to over 150mph - but its most sensational feature was the radical biplane 'whale-tail' rear spoiler, climbing up the hatchback window. Five thousand were built, with 500 converted into the RS500, which dominated touring car racing for three years. For 1988, Ford toned the Cossie down - in looks only, transplanting the turbo mechanicals into the sober-appearing four-door Sapphire bodyshell. It didn't have the wheelarch extensions, bonnet louvres or wild wings of the original three-door version, but it did have one more trick up its sleeve - from 1990, its innocuous exterior hid four-wheel drive, further enhancing its giant-killing abilities. Rouse Sport, led by top saloon racer Andy Rouse, took the performance theme one stage further, developing the car to increase power, torque - and drivability. Rouse, four times British Touring Car champion and Britain's most successful Sierra racer, had developed the XR4Ti and Sierra into racers, and created a car that was both faster and more flexible than the standard offering. Power went up from 204 to 260bhp at 5000rpm, and torque rose to a staggering 300lb ft at 4000. Yet the real power started from just 2000rpm instead of 3500. Though Rouse Sport did not quote absolute performance figures - the standard car did 0-60mph in 6.1 secs, with a top end of 151mph - Rouse claimed across-the-range acceleration times trimmed by about 30 per cent. The chassis was also sorted, with reworked suspension and revised geometry, plus side skirts and deeper front spoiler. Only 100 were made in 302R (2wd) and 304R (4wd) forms.

This 304R is the 47th built, and its owner, only the second, describes it as "excellent, with 89,240 miles and full history, rust-treated from new and stored in a heated workshop for the past 12 years". A rare opportunity to acquire a pristine example of the rarest 'Cossie'. As the company's brochure put it: "A thoroughly engineered re-definition of the impressive Sierra Sapphire Cosworth. For the astute enthusiast who requires more performance, flexibility and individuality".

PLEASE NOTE: This lot has a MOT certificate valid until February 2009