Ford Sierra Saphire RS Cosworth 4×4 – Ex Press Car

In 1988, Ford introduced the four-door Sapphire Cosworth, a family saloon which was, perhaps, a little more discreet than its be-spoilered sibling. As the name suggests, it was based on the Sapphire saloon and used the existing 1,993cc Cosworth twin-cam turbo.

A couple of years later, in January 1990, the third-generation Sierra RS Cosworth was launched, this time with four-wheel drive. As early as 1987, Mike Moreton and Ford Motorsport had been talking about a four-wheel-drive Sierra RS Cosworth that could make Ford competitive in the World Rally Championship. Ford Motorsport’s desire for a 3-door ‘Motorsport Special’ equivalent to the original Sierra RS Cosworth was not embraced, however, as it was felt that the more discreet, family-friendly, four-door version was considered to have a better marketing potential. Consequently, it was decided that the new car should be a natural development of the second-generation cars and would be launched in conjunction with the facelift scheduled for the entire Sierra range in 1990. They were now powered by the 220bhp Cosworth YBG/YBJ mated to the Ferguson 4×4 MT75 transmission and 0-60mph took just 5.6 seconds, pretty impressive for a four-door family saloon.

On offer here is a UK-supplied, right-hand drive Sapphire Cosworth that was used by the Ford Motor Company as a press car, featuring in many marketing materials as you can see in our images. First registered on the 15th March 1990, the Sapphire is finished in Moonstone Blue with a classic RS Recaro interior in grey velour and cloth and was showing 78,418 miles at the time of cataloguing.

The vendor, a true RS enthusiast, has owned this wonderful Ford Press Car since 1995 and he has kept it carefully garaged and maintained with regular lubrication services during this time. Coming to market due to retirement and subsequent loss of dry storage, the car will be presented to auction benefiting from a major service that included a fresh cambelt, water pump and an advisory-free MOT.

It’s accompanied by both keys, a period Cobra Alarm, recently refurbished alloy wheels, its history file and an original copy of the July 1990 Fast Ford Magazine in which the car featured as part of its former press activity.

This is an important example in all round excellent condition that’s worthy of serious consideration by any collector of RS Fords.

SUPERCAR FEST SALE OF ICONIC AND CLASSIC CARS 2024

Entries are now invited for our, Supercar Fest Sale of Iconic & Classic Cars at Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northamptonshire on the 18th May. This year’s auction will also incorporate a special sale of Ferraris in association with the Ferrari Owners’ Club GB and a charity auction of 25 Ferrari press car registration numbers from Ferrari North Europe with all proceeds, including the 10% buyer’s premium, donated to the automotive charity Ben. Supercar Fest is well established as one of the major dynamic supercar events in the UK bringing together fans, drivers and enthusiasts for a weekend of all thing’s supercar. As the shows official auction partner for the fourth year, we are now inviting entries for what promises to be a magnificent, dedicated sale of Specialist and Classic cars. Entries close on 19th April.