Ford RS Cosworth Collection Cosworth solidified its association with Ford on road cars by developing the YB series of engines. Starting with the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in 1986 with the famous in-line four producing 204 PS, this hugely successful engine destined for great things both on and off the track. This collection includes three of those famous cars, all very successful for both Ford and Cosworth which made Ford Cosworth a household name.Ford Sierra RS Cosworth Black Length 104cm By 1980, ‘Ford Cosworth’ had become a household name.
Their 3-litre V8 DFV engine had dominated F1, while the four-cylinder BDA had powered RS Escorts to global rallying glory. They remained, however, two separate companies and Cosworth worked their powerful magic on engine projects for rival manufacturers. In 1983 Stuart Turner returned to manage Ford’s competition Department and, aware the competition had overtaken Ford in motorsport, visited Cosworth with colleagues to discuss the future. Cosworth’s design genius, Keith Duckworth, ‘accidently’ left a prototype twin-cam 16V version of Ford’s SOHC T88 2-litre engine in a place where Ford executives couldn’t help but see it.Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth Crystal Blue Length 104cm
The T88 16V twin-cam project had originally been developed as an aftermarket product of which Cosworth hoped to sell around 200 examples a year to enthusiasts to use in motorsport. Turner and his colleagues pounced on the idea though, and over a pub lunch formulated plans to add a turbocharger and take the 3-door Sierra Group A saloon car racing. The resultant Cosworth YB engine debuted in the 1985 Sierra Cosworth and transformed the small specialist Northamptonshire-based firminto major engine manufacturers. The company invested in a new bespoke factory in Wellingborough and by 1986 were producing over 5,000 engines a year Ford Escort RS Cosworth Mallard Green Length 113mm
The Sierra Cosworth was successful on track and in the showroom; the initial 5,000 examples being sold out after an avalanche of effusive road tests by journalists smitten by its outrageous performance and styling. Ford then civilised it by building the Sapphire 4-door saloon, a leather-lined ‘executive express’, that gained four-wheel drive in 1990 and became the most capable saloon car in the world. Stuart Turner then suggested the platform and running gear of the 4×4 be fitted under the smaller Mk5 Escort body shell and created the last chapter of the YB legend, the Escort Cosworth, which took Ford back to rallying glory
