1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth

Highlights

●      Recommissioned in 2023-24

●      Stage 3 MSD superchip

●      Garrett T34.1 upgraded turbo

●      Four-wheel-drive

●      Stacks of historic paperwork

Overview

Love and marriage – as the song says, they go together like a horse and carriage. And the same can be said of Sierra and Cosworth, two names that alone command respect from car fans, but together become a thing of legend. 

There has been many a car enthusiast over the years that has fallen in love with a Sierra Cosworth, and we dare say they’ve put a strain on a few marriages as well, but if you want to own one of the most famously revered cars of all time, then perhaps it’s worth it? After all, no Sierra Cosworth is going to depreciate. Surely not any longer. 

It’s a car whose place in automotive iconography is guaranteed. A successful touring car, a multiple rally-winner and one of the most desirable road cars of its era, the Cosworth has all the hallmarks of a truly legendary fast Ford. 

This one is one of the last. A 1991 Sapphire Cosworth 4x4, which was the third iteration of the breed, identifiable by its darkened rear light lenses and subtle rear spoiler. The Cosworth 4x4 was developed to allow Ford to compete in Group A rallying, where its rear-drive predecessor was at a disadvantage away from the tarmac stages.  

With greater grip and traction at each corner, it became a force to be reckoned with – indeed, it’s a little publicised fact, but the giant-killing Escort RS Cosworth that followed had more in common with the Sierra than the car whose silhouette it sported. The Escort was little more than a truncated Sierra with a shorter body.

This example has been in the hands of an enthusiast owner for over a decade, and during that time it has spent most of the time off-the-road awaiting refurbishment. It has since had a complete cylinder head rebuild, and was sympathetically recommissioned by the vendor between 2023 and 2024 before returning to the road in January 2025. 

Like most Sierra Cosworths, it’s modified – but in this case, only slightly. It has an uprated head, Stage 3 conversion and a turbo upgrade among other tweaks, and is putting out 350bhp. It’s no show pony – there are a couple of minor cosmetic issues to the bodywork, but it’s a bona fide Cosworth with a clean history, no recorded incidents of being written off or stolen, and in very tidy overall condition. If you want to own an all-time legend, here’s your chance. 

History and documentation

·       Full UK V5C

·       MOT until January 17, 2026

·       Lots of early history

·       Old MOT certificates back to the early 1990s

·       Dyno printout from previous owners

·       Three keys and fobs with TOAD Thatcham Cat 1 immobiliser

·       Several old tax discs and copies of old V5s

Interior

·       Full black leather in great overall condition, with some very light wear to driver’s seat right-hand bolster

·       Superb carpets and door trims

·       Very good dash with no notable cracks or damage

·       White dials

·       Electric windows

·       Central locking

·       Aftermarket Pioneer USB head unit with original Ford amp

·       Supplementary boost and oil temperature gauges

·       Rear headlining has slight sag

·       The vendor reports that the rev counter sometimes doesn’t work – he hasn’t investigated this

Exterior

·       Original Ford Diamond White

·       Rally-style 18-inch Compomotive alloys, freshly powder coated and finished in gunmetal grey 

·       New tyres all-round

·       Brand-new clear indicators

·       Side skirts slightly faded

·       There is evidence of light corrosion to both rear wheelarches

Mechanical

·       2.0-litre Twin Cam

·       Reported by the vendor to put out 350bhp

·       Five-speed manual

·       Stage 3 MSD SuperChip, also supplied Stage 3+ custom chip

·       Cooled RS500 Intercooler

·       Dark Green Injectors 

·       T34.1 Upgraded Turbo

·       Silicone hose kit

·       Bespoke alloy radiator 

·       Powder coated rocker cover 

·       Paddle clutch Stage 3

·       Red board ECU

·       Blow-off valve

·       Original MAC valve

·       Brand-new plugs, leads, distributor and rotor arm

·       Coilover suspension (adjustable)

·       Upgraded low pressure fuel pump

·       Mongoose stainless exhaust

·       Full head rebuild in 2014 and barely driven since

Summary

There’s a reason why the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is spoken of in hushed tones by car enthusiasts, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. 

This one is a rare opportunity to get behind the wheel of a very fast, well-sorted roadgoing example that has been tweaked to make it quicker and handle more sharply, but hasn’t been so far modified to lose the appearance of a standard Sapphire 4x4. It’s an awesome machine, ready to be thoroughly enjoyed by its next owner. That could be you…

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. The car is located in Wiltshire.