These days, you can get a new Ford Fusion for as
little as US$ 22k. Nearly US$ 40k if you go for the top-of-the-line Energi Platinum
model. In the UK, you’re looking at £ 19-27k for the equivalent Mondeo. But this
Sierra – the Fusion/Mondeo’s predecessor from 1990 – is valued at around £200k,
or nearly US$ 280k. So what gives?
As you may have guessed by now, this is no ordinary
Sierra. It’s a Sierra Cosworth RS500 Group A racer – specifically the one that
won the 1990 British Touring Car Championship.
Arguably the ultimate edition of a legendary
vehicle, the BTCC-winning Sierra Cosworth packed a 500-horsepower engine
prepared by Mountune, with a Getrag five-speed dog-gear transmission, and an
Eggenberger suspension. And the results still speak for themselves.
With Robb Gravett behind the wheel – joined by Mike
Smith and Stig Blomqvist for the longer-distance races – this car positively
dominated the season. It won nine out of the thirteen rounds that season,
scoring eight pole positions and eight fastest-laps along the way.
In storage for the past 20 years and restored to
original condition, it’s coming up for auction for the very first time in its
history. Silverstone Auctions will sell it to the highest bidder as part of its
Race Retro Competition Car Sale at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire come
February 23. The auctioneer estimates its value between £ 175,000 and £ 220,000 –
roughly US$ 240-305k at current exchange rates.
