Ford RS Cosworth Collection
<p>Ford RS Cosworth Collection<br>Cosworth solidified its association with Ford on road cars by developing the YB series of engines. Starting with the Ford Sierra RS<br>Cosworth in 1986 with the famous in-line four producing 204 PS, this hugely successful engine destined for great things both on<br>and off the track. This collection includes three of those famous cars, all very successful for both Ford and Cosworth which made<br>Ford Cosworth a household name.<br><br>Ford Sierra RS Cosworth Black Length 104mm<br>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<br>rallying glory. They remained, however, two separate companies and Cosworth worked their powerful magic on engine projects for rival manufacturers. In 1983 Stuart<br>Turner returned to manage Ford’s competition Department and, aware the competition had overtaken Ford in motorsport, visited Cosworth with colleagues to discuss the<br>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<br>couldn’t help but see it.<br><br>Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth Crystal Blue Length 104mm<br>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<br>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<br>Group A saloon car racing. The resultant Cosworth YB engine debuted in the 1985 Sierra Cosworth and transformed the small specialist Northamptonshire-based firm<br>into major engine manufacturers. The company invested in a new bespoke factory in Wellingborough and by 1986 were producing over 5,000 engines a year<br><br>Ford Escort RS Cosworth Mallard Green Length 113mm<br>The Sierra Cosworth was successful on track and in the show room; the initial 5,000 examples being sold out after an avalanche of effusive road tests by journalists<br>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-wheeldrive 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<br>Mk5 Escort bodyshell and created the last chapter of the YB legend, the Escort Cosworth, which took Ford back to rallying glory</p>
