Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500: Rare car built to push the limits

FIA’s Group A defined an exciting time, with the Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 standing among the best of the era. But why?

The Sierra RS500 Cosworth helped Ford take not just the first two rounds of the Monroe British Championship but also the Willhire 24 Hour race and the Nürburgring 24 Hours–all in the span of six months.

Ford began to take advantage of FIA regulations permitting modifications to be made to cars intended for racing, provided that 500 examples were built.

To which the RS500 Cosworth was born.

The RS500 Cosworth showed just how far Ford could push the FIA rule book. Ford placed nonfunctional components within the road car that could later be taken advantage of during race prep. For example, the RS500 Cosworth came standard with a secondary fuel injection system that, when activated, produced upwards of 485 horsepower.

According to the Bonhams auction listing, this 1987 Sierra Cosworth RS500 is confirmed to be one of the 500 true RS500 examples built. It stands unmodified and is likely the only of its type currently available in the U.S.

The Sierra is accompanied with a custom-fitted Italian car cover–finished in the iconic Texaco livery–tire cushions and a comprehensive Squadra Lupo folder.

Find this 1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth for auction at Bonhams on October 4, with an estimated value of $160,000-$220,000.