Sierra Cosworth Cosworth RS500

[Andy RB]

I am after some advice on buying a Sierra Cosworth RS500. What do i need to look out for, price, and some history as to spec changes if there was any. Also how reliable/strong are they as i do intend to use it on track days, trips to le mans ect.

[T88CAN]

The RS500 is a very rare car now, so the main concern is getting a genuine one, the 500 as the name suggests
was a 500 evolution build of the original RS Cosworth, they were built in 1986 as original cars and stored before having the 500 conversion by Tickford iirc the chassis numbers for RS500`s are BEFGBBEGG 38600 to 39099, there where no changes to the car all 500 being built at Tickford to the same spec apart from the colour. Black the most common and a few white and moonstone blue cars There are plenty of books out and about on the 500 and the mags like Fast Ford have had comprehensive buyers guides on the car Try and pick up a back issue.
As for tracking the car most will be concours rapped up in cotton wool

[GavinPearson]

If you do get a genuine one you also need to ensure it isn't stolen / recovered.

It isn't just the engine that has the upgrades (stiff block, better head, inlet and exhaust system, intercooler, T4 turbo) but the rear suspension beam has extra bracketry to adjust geometry for the track, and it has a very special 9" differential. Make sure all the parts are on it.

[shawspeed]

RS500 road cars just had the same std 7.5 " diff as any other 2WD cosy. Only racing cars had the big diff.