Classified of the week: Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500

This week’s classified is an oddball fast Ford. An oddball because despite having travelled almost halfway around the world and back, it’s actually a rather low-mileage example of a Sierra Cosworth RS500. Allow us to explain…

Originally sold in 1987, the Cossie’s first owner covered just 2,000 miles in his new 'whaletail' before selling it on 1988. The second keeper accumulated another 10,000 before 1995, when he emigrated to America and put the car in time-frozen dry storage, ready for export to the US. 

However, US federalisation hurdles prevented the car being registered in the US, so it was shipped all the way back to the UK where it’s been treated to a full restoration at Graham Goode Racing.  So, despite having lived a thirty-year life across two continents, this RS500’s 12,000 miles old and looks pretty darn mint. Which is why it’s not cheap. 
    
With a guide price of £60,000 to £70,000, the 225bhp Cossie – one of just 500 ever made – will go under the hammer on 3 December 2016 at the Classic Car Auctions’ Warwickshire sale. Would you shell out twice the price of a brand-new Ford Focus RS to get your hands on this transatlantic Sierra?