Haynes: Cosworth, The Search For Power Graham Robson
This is an excellent resource for all those
interest in the 'Cosworth Racing Heritage' and the connection with the Ford
Motor Company.
"Ford had been planning ahead, and actually built not 5,000,
but 5,500 of the original 'whale-tail' Sierras. 500 cars were
then carefully stored for a few months, then shipped to the
Aston Martin Tickford factory at Bedworth, near Coventry. Among
the many changes made to convert an RS Cosworth into an RS500
Cosworth, was the removal of the original engine, and..."
Robson, G (2003) pp 241
Sierra Spares Review: 8/10
Haynes: Ford Sierra Manuals
The Haynes 'Ford Sierra Manuals' are great
for the 'Fix of Repair Daily' Sierra
D.i.Y enthusiast. Never drive away from the house without this
book or the trusted tool kit! The Ford Sierra has to be
one of the easiest cars to work on.
Sierra Spares Review: 10/10
Car Trade: Sierra Review
"Mondeo may have replaced it, but the Sierra
will live for ever. Utterly practical, with useful estate.
Engines, transmission, last well. Virtually all will have
started life on company of rental fleets, but they can take high
mileage well. With so many to pick from, be selective. Good
looking saloons on Sierra underpinnings. No major difference in
handling or ride. On plus side, majority seem better treated
than hatchback, so well worth considering. Top models worth
paying extra for." Car Trade (September 1994, Vol 2, No.5,
pp.88-93)
Classic & Sports Car: Cossie Review A-Z of Cars of
the 1980s
"If the XR4i had shown how well the Sierra
chassis could be persuaded to handle, the arrival of the 2.0
twin overhead camshaft Cosworth turbo engine, with 204 bhp,
showed just how quickly it could be made to go. With its mesh
grille, bonnet-top air vents and huge (but this time just one
piece) rear spoiler, all squatting over low profile tyres and
alloy wheels, the RS Cosworth looked every inch a road racer in
the tattooed-forearm manner The short production run ensured that
they remain sought after today. Good as it was, the rear-drive
RS Cosworth was being left behind by 4wd rivals in rallies. With
the new all wheel drive system..."
Lewis, M (1994) pp.54-56
Enthusiasts: Fast Ford Magazine
"The Sapphire is where it all went mainstream
for the Cosworth badge. Compared with the three-door it was
actually the same weight and even had a lower drag factor of
0.33 rather than the Sierra's 0.34. By 1990 the list price had
risen to £21,300 and 13,839 had been built." Fast Ford (May
1998, pp.100-105)
Autocar & Motor Magazine suggested that "there was less
cross-fertilisation between road and racing than in the past"
way back in 1990!
Autocar & Motor Magazine interviewed, Mr
Stuart Turner, Ford of Europe's Director of Motor Sport and this
is what he said.. (14 Feb 1990 - pp55)
"I believe that 25 years ago the split was
around 70% product development and 30% publicity.
Now, with the growth of sponsorship and TV interests, the
percentages are the other way around. But I believe
passionately that the work we are doing in motor sport now will
be felt by car buyers in a few years' time."
"As an example, you can point to nothing
better than the new 4x4 Sierra RS Cosworth. Our motor sport
engineers and Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) people have been
like blood brothers as that car has been progressed. In all
sorts of ways it is better than the rear-drive Sierra Cosworth,
and motor sport - rallying and touring cars - had a
direct input."
"The original Sierra Cosworth was created as
a homologation model, and much of the work invested in the
latest version's new engine has grown out of lessons learned
from competition. Only the con rods, crankshaft and timing belt
have been retained for the new engine. Block stiffness, cylinder
head modifications to improve water flow, a larger turbo charger
and intercooler, more durable camshafts and even altered oil
seals have all come from competition experience."
Autocar & Motor (14 Feb 1990 - pp.55)
Recommended Ford
Sierra and Sapphire Suppliers / Resources
Trade
