1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth |

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1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£25,440

Mileage~109,237
TransmissionManual
Engine2.0L
LocationSwindon

SOLD

1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

With heritage from rally stages and race circuits, the later RS Cosworth was a genuine all-rounder, and faster too!

The Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth follows on from its motorsport bred predecessor, to retain the same feel but subtly tweaked handling traits of the original. Packaged in a more practical, stiffer and manageable car, the Sierra Sapphire was rolled out in 1988. With its well-weighted steering and near-perfect balance of agility and stability, the car is a genuinely entertaining drive, recalling the joys of driving without the reliance on computer management.

This 1990 example with Recaro leather seats is one of the later 2WD cars to be produced and comes with a healthy amount of invoices and plenty of evidence of maintenance. While it has seen a fair few owners over the years, each one has played their role in keeping this RS Cosworth in the best order. Furnished with a handful of subtle but useful power modifications and larger wheels, the car still retains much of its original credentials.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Simon the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

It's a classic for sure, but this one has a few modifications to bring it into the 21st century.

Simon has a history of owning hot Fords over the years and saw this example come up for sale to break his Sierra Sapphire Cosworth duck. While he hasn't had the opportunity to take it to any shows, he gets his kicks by using it for the occasional weekend excursion.

The subtle modifications to the car, according to Simon, provide a good balance that gives this RS Cosworth an edge without compromising the essence of the experience. The car is being placed for sale, as his garage is slightly too small to accommodate it and he's keen to explore the market for his next obsession. He'll be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Simon

Vehicle Owner

Simon saved £4,500* when they
sold their Ford with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Extremely well cared for, the car retains its air of menace, and is finished in the popular Moonstone blue paint.

Wheels and Tyres

This Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth is fitted with aftermarket RS 17" 7 spoke alloys. They present in good condition, with the odd mark but free from any kerb damage.

The wheels are shod with Toyo low profile tyres, with both rear items being very recent fittings. View the picture gallery to see the details.

Bodywork

The structure of the car is positive, with the rear chassis rails, sills, bulkhead, inner wings, floor pan and engine bay looking very solid. Externally the panel fits are flush, with no issues in regards to the door shut lines.

The door bottoms and boot lid look good, with the odd blemish noted on the insides of the doors. The off-side rear arch might be the first task for the new owner to explore but is still in a manageable state, just a small area of corrosion present. We have taken hi-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourselves

Paint

The attractive "Moonstone Blue" paint finish has an even and well-maintained lustre, with no signs of significant damage in terms of chips or scratches. The car has paperwork to suggest it has seen new paint over the years, but it has been well blended and not noticeable from the outside, with just minor signs noted in the door wells.

The images taken are from various angles and reflections to show the pain, as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition, with no issues regarding tint or lamination damage and all have good rubber seals. All glass panels are etched, which suggests originality. The exterior trim is all correct, with some items showing the odd sign of age, such as the door rubbers but certainly well within the boundaries of acceptance.

The bonnet has seen additional vents fitted at some points, close inspection suggests that they have been very well fitted and painted. All lights and lenses are in good shape, with some minor wear noted. Please take the time to fully assess the condition of the exterior presented in the media pack below.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Unblemished by modifications, the cabin on this super saloon has been well preserved.

Seats and Carpets

The factory-fitted Recaro raven leather seats have resisted the passage of time well, with the expected low level of wear associated with a car of this mileage and age. Both front seats retain firmness and are rip free. There are a few minor marks on the rear seat.

The carpets are very good throughout with no evidence of heavy use. There were minor signs of age noted elsewhere, with observations of slight sagging of the headlining at the back of the car and minor marks noted on the door cards, but overall in surprisingly good shape for a 32-year-old Ford.

Please see the interior gallery section for more detailed images.

Dashboard

The dashboard has clearly been subject to attentive care, with no outstanding issues observed in regards to the condition. The facia is clean with no marks or cracks we spotted.

The switchgear and controls are all said to be fully functional and show well below the expected level of wear of a Ford of this age. The tape/stereo player appears to be age-correct for the car, strongly suggesting that this Cossie has spared any unnecessary 'Max Power' audio upgrades.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel appears to be pleasingly original, with just the right amount of wear. The gear stick and gaiter are in good condition with no issues to note on this example.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Planted and assured on the road, the Sapphire RS Cosworth was both faster to 60 and a higher top speed than the 3 door original.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine presented no issues during the cold start, with no problems in regards to oil pressure or misfiring. There is evidence of the typical YB Cosworth engine tapping characteristics, which dissipates after the engine has warmed up and was not evident during the test run.

The five-speed Borg-Warner gearbox is slick and rumble free, with no reported issues with the clutch. The engine has been subject to light modification, including a Stage 1 chip upgrade, RS500 style intercooler, standard yellow injectors and an alloy radiator with silicone hoses. The engine's presentation strongly backs up the attention given to the car throughout its life but it clearly has been used and enjoyed. The owner was keen to point out that there is no white sludge on the oil filler cap too, with no suggestion of leaks.

Suspension and Brakes

Like the engine, the condition of the running gear is a testament to all of the previous owners, who have ensured that no corners have been cut - in both the physical and mechanical sense. The ride is supple and not overly firm, with no crashing of the dampers noted over the uneven roads.

The brakes are in good shape, with no vibrations or juddering noted while the car is on the move. The steering remains true under braking and speed.

The Drive

The car manages the road with poise. The car drove tightly during the test run, with no unwanted vibrations or significant rattles observed in the cabin - the bodyshell felt stiff in action. The supercar performance is more accessible than the previous incarnation of the Cosworth powered Fords, the YB engine is a very tuneable engine, capable of dealing with impressive power hikes. Fitted with a ~268BHP Stage 1 chip, it still allows the power delivery to remain manageable. The exhaust system was surprisingly muted.

Electrics and Other

The cars boot operated fuel cut-off switch is still functional, along with the rare optional factory fitted rear blind. The car also has a fully functional alarm system.

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History and Paperwork

This example, a UK RHD, has just some subtle modifications/tuning actioned, and a set of more modern wheels, the rest is remarkably original for a Fast Ford from this era.

Registered new at Cornish Ford in 1990, the car saw a typical amount of use under its first 3 owners in the first 10 years, with diligent servicing and minor maintenance issues carried out. The first of its modifications were carried out in the mid-'90s with uprated suspension bushes along with the stainless steel exhaust.

The car's use started slowing down in the early 2000s as it collected more owners, but with no ill effects to its mechanical health. It was put into storage in 2006 for 8 years and recommissioned with the new owner sorting out MOT issues along with a new cambelt, engine hoses, aluminium radiator and new rear brake discs in 2014. Further items like control arms, fuel pump regulator and a new clutch followed in subsequent years. It has just seen two new rear tyres and it comes with a year's MOT.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned an HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
01-02-2022	MOT	109,202
09-10-2021	Service	-
02-03-2021	MOT	108,272
23-10-2019	MOT	107,697
15-10-2018	MOT	107,425
27-10-2017	MOT	106,943
20-10-2016	MOT	105,704
20-11-2016	Service	105,012
18-10-2015	MOT	104,183
20-09-2014	MOT	104,112
02-12-2006	MOT	103,782
03-11-2005	MOT	103,467
22-10-2003	MOT	93,215
30-04-2003	Service	93,085
18-07-2002	MOT	92,084
20-12-2001	Service	86,503
15-03-2001	MOT	81,796
06-10-2000	Service	81,033
02-04-2000	Service	78,634
12-02-2000	MOT	78,191
30-10-1999	Service	76,971
30-03-1999	Service	72,991
07-02-1999	MOT	71,683
13-02-1998	MOT	63,847
27-09-1997	Service	60,064
04-02-1997	MOT	54,029
01-02-1996	MOT	45,353
12-07-1995	Service	40,008
14-02-1995	Service	34,625
26-01-1995	MOT	34,535
07-05-1994	Service	30,170
04-08-1993	Service	26,402
04-08-1993	MOT	26,346
04-11-1992	Service	22,913
21-04-1992	Service	17,981
19-08-1991	Service	11,706
06-02-1991	Service	6,248
07-09-1990	Service	2,279

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Key Details

ModelSierra Sapphire RS Cosworth
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date01-08-1990
CC1,993
Mileage~109,237
HistoryYes
ColourMoonstone Blue
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #WF0FXXGBBFK59299
Engine #KC59299
Last Service09-10-2021
MOT01-03-2023
MOT ExemptNo
Road Tax ExemptNo
Former Keepers11
Tyre BrandToyo
# of Keys2
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned5 Months
Key FeatureLate 2WD version

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