Where to start? Unused for over twenty years and showing only two owners since August 1999, our vendor purchased the Cosworth in November 2015 at which time it had just been fitted with a new cambelt, petrol tank, radiator, battery and had received an oil and filter change.

We can see that it had covered 77,332 miles when he took possession, the fact that it shows exactly the same mileage today tells a story.

Our owner, John, had owned Sierra Cosworth 4x4s in his youth and in cloud of nostalgia thought it would be great idea to revisit this part of his motoring past.

So the Sapphire came home to rural Lincolnshire, was covered over and put in the garage with John’s other cars to await its restoration… and, well, that’s about it, apart from its journey to our premises it hasn’t turned a wheel.

Whilst full of good intentions and enthusiasm, life, as ever, got in the way and the project never got started let alone finished.

Having discussed the state and condition with John, who was ...