Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth
Photo: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Vehicles · Rally Homologation
Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth · 1987
The RS500 is the evolution homologation of the Sierra Cosworth — 500 UK-only, right-hand-drive cars built to unlock a Group A race package: a strengthened YBD block, larger Garrett T04 turbo, a second (dormant) injector rail and a taller bi-plane rear wing. In full works trim it became the dominant touring car of the late 1980s, and that competition pedigree paired with the 500-car cap is what anchors collector demand.
The one to have: 1987 RS500 in unmodified, matching-numbers form: the uprated YBD engine (thick-wall block, larger Garrett T04 turbo, second fuel rail), factory multi-spoke alloys, and documented low mileage. Black is standard (392 built); the 56 Diamond White or 52 Moonstone Blue cars carry a premium.
Specification
Engine
2.0L turbo I4
Cosworth YBD, DOHC 16v, Garrett T04 turbo · strengthened cast-iron block
Output
224 hp
204 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm · works race trim exceeded 500 hp
0–60 mph
~6.1 s
~150–154 mph top speed
Built
1 of 500
Group A homologation special · all RHD, UK-only, built 1987
The market
Verified sales on file
5
Sep 2024 – Nov 2025
Median sale
$102k
all tracked results
★ Unmodified YBD RS500
$168k
median of 1 target-spec sales
Top result
$168k
Bonhams · Sep 2024
Benchmarks: Driver $90k - clean $130k - documented low-VIN / low-mileage road cars to ~$170k. Period BTCC/DTM race cars trade far higher and separately. · Trend: steady; genuine low-mileage road cars firming
Know the real one
All 500 built for 1987 in right-hand drive and converted from stored RS Cosworths by Tickford at Bedworth; UK-market only. Colours: 392 Black, 56 Diamond White, 52 Moonstone Blue.
The RS500 tell is under the bonnet: the YBD block is thicker-walled, and it adds a larger Garrett turbo, a bigger intercooler and a SECOND fuel rail with four extra (normally dormant) injectors. Road output 224 hp; Group A race trim exceeded 500 hp.
Verify authenticity, not badges: many cars offered as 'RS500' are 3-door RS Cosworths or Eggenberger-style race replicas. Check the second fuel rail, the deeper front splitter and the raised bootlid gurney beneath the tailgate wing, plus Ford/Tickford build documentation.
Homologation was approved 1 August 1987; the car went on to dominate late-1980s Group A touring cars.
Verified sales · ★ = target spec · foreign results converted to USD as noted
| Date | Venue | Year | Spec | Miles | Price | Loc | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | Iconic Auctioneers | 1987 | RS500 3-door #224/500 | — | $100,000 | — | UK; sold GBP 78,750 converted at ~1.27 USD/GBP |
| Aug 2025 | Collecting Cars | 1987 | RS500 3-door | — | $90,000 | — | Belgium; sold GBP 71,060 converted at ~1.27 USD/GBP |
| Apr 2025 | Collecting Cars | 1987 | RS500 3-door | — | $102,000 | — | UK; sold GBP 80,464 converted at ~1.27 USD/GBP |
| Feb 2025 | Iconic Auctioneers | 1987 | RS500 3-door | — | $130,000 | — | UK; sold GBP 102,375 converted at ~1.27 USD/GBP |
| Sep 2024 | Bonhams | 1987 | RS500 3-door #17/500 ★ | — | $168,000 | — | UK; sold GBP 132,250 converted at ~1.27 USD/GBP; low-VIN genuine road car, top confirmed road-car comp |
Where to hunt
Bring a Trailer - Sierra RS CosworthUS auction comps and RS500 listings
Classic.com - RS500 marketaggregated sold results and price history
Car & Classic - RS500 listingslive UK/EU classified inventory
Research file — market data verified through July 18, 2026.
Sources: individually observed results via Classic.com feeds, BaT, Cars & Bids, Mecum, RM Sotheby's,
Broad Arrow, Gooding, Collecting Cars, PCARMARKET and venue coverage, plus marque registries and factory press material.