At its introduction in 1982, the Sierra was the obvious choice to become the platform for Ford's new competition aspirations in conjunction with Cosworth.

Ford needed to build 5,000 units for homologation, and went on to sell 5,545 three-door cars including 500 examples of the RS500.

The Sierra RS Cosworth’s well appointed interior and market leading performance tempted many a senior manager away from the equivalent BMW and Mercedes, and private buyers were equally enthralled.

The majority naturally racked up significant business mileages and endured all-weather commuting, however, with fortuitous hindsight, a few owners used their RS Cosworths sparingly, always garaged, travelling a few hundred miles a year and serviced appropriately.

Decades later these low-mileage cars now underpin today’s Performance Ford collector market.

This car’s history file is a delight, and a testament to the foresight and diligence of its previous three keepers.

Starting with the original Bill of Sale...