Sapphire Cosworth buying advice

Sapphire Cosworth buying advice

Author
Discussion

theoriginalpaul

Original Poster:

198 posts

77 months

Tuesday 9th April 2019
quotequote all
I’m thinking of buying a Sapphire Cossie, my main criteria is originality.

Is there anywhere I can track down the original Ford build sheet so I can see what options (if any) should be fitted to a particular car?

Also would original body panels be stamped (with Ford logo maybe) somewhere? Any advice on what to look for and where would be great.

Cheers in advance.

s m

23,509 posts

210 months

Friday 12th April 2019
quotequote all
theoriginalpaul said:
I’m thinking of buying a Sapphire Cossie, my main criteria is originality.

Is there anywhere I can track down the original Ford build sheet so I can see what options (if any) should be fitted to a particular car?

Also would original body panels be stamped (with Ford logo maybe) somewhere? Any advice on what to look for and where would be great.

Cheers in advance.
2wd or 4x4 version.

Other than paint colour and aircon I'm struggling to think what options you could have on a 2wd.

4x4 - again, paint colour, aircon and electric sunroof ( as opposed to a manual ). Just trying to think what other common options you could have

Big_Dog

981 posts

192 months

Friday 12th April 2019
quotequote all
I had a 2 wheel drive for 4 years I drove a few 4x4s owned by friends. I found the 2 wheel drive to be be more interesting/exciting. Oh and I think 340BHP is probably about right regarding the things breaking vs fun factor.

sortedcossie

703 posts

135 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
quotequote all
Leather would have also been an option on a 89/90 2wd. Cloth only on 88/89 cars.

With regards to the date and logo stamps, panels pop up from time to time - you'd be better off finding a car with them intact but repairable or not requiring work. If originality is key then you'll be looking at the upper end of the price spectrum.

Some very nice, well looked after 2wd and 4wd cars about at the moment that haven't been ruined by the barry boy brigade, but might not have original paint and panels.

Buying on condition is now key on these, I'd rather have one that had been painted but showed decent history and condition. If you haven't had one before get someone to check it over who knows what they are looking at.

Finally if you do buy be prepared for the RS tax, even seemingly run of the mill parts now command a premium - things like door rubber and window scrapers/trims are NLA an thus have eyewatering costs. These are the type things you need to have in decent condition.

Good luck with the search, might be worth joining the RSOC and contacting the dedicated registrar for each model - cars quite often change hands behind the scenes without being advertised.

Edited by sortedcossie on Tuesday 23 April 12:56

LanceRS

2,182 posts

144 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
quotequote all
On a 2wd, the only option was the leather seats and colours.

Same on the 4wd unless it’s a facelift when aircon was another option.

Original standard cars are rare and more expensive. Definitely go on condition and history rather than getting too hung up on it being standard, low apparent mileage etc.
These were being modified to varying degrees when new and still are. Many of the ‘enhancements’ make them much better to drive.
Panels like the front wings should have Ford stamps on them.

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 23rd May 2019
quotequote all
Higher power mods can cause 5th gear to fail necessitating a gearbox rebuild.
Interior panels are very fragile now due to age generally and can look rough.
Brakes are the cars worst point in my opinion and aren’t up to stopping from speed.
Mine was a 2wd in flint grey making 380bhp back in 2002 when I had it. Still one of my favourite ever cars. Felt special to drive and very oily petrolly, quite organic.