For $300k, You’d Better Believe This Is No Ordinary Ford Sierra

These days, you can get a new Ford Fusion for as little as $22k. Nearly $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 $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.

“It was perfect harmony between man and machine, and perhaps no surprise that the championship-winning Cosworth also smashed numerous records along the way,” said Silverstone Auctions managing director Nick Whale. “The roll of honour for this Cosworth is truly impressive and it has cemented its place in BTCC history. Adding to the provenance of this car is that in 1991 the new 2-litre cars took over, making 1990 a glorious swansong for this championship winning RS500.”

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 $240-305k at current exchange rates.