How many Ford RS500 were made?
The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth RS500 was produced in a strictly limited run of 500 road-going cars, created to satisfy FIA Group A homologation requirements for rally competition. In other words, 500 units is the figure most commonly cited by Ford and automotive historians.
What is the RS500?
The RS500 is the high-performance homologation model of Ford's Sierra RS Cosworth family. Built by Ford of Europe with enhanced power and distinctive features, it is regarded as one of the most coveted performance Fords of the era.
Production figures and timeline
Key facts about how many were made and when they were built are outlined below.
- Total produced: 500 road cars
- Production window: roughly 1987 to 1988
- Purpose: homologation for FIA Group A rally competition
- Regional production: chiefly Ford of Europe; distributed across markets with limited numbers per region
The RS500's limited numbers have helped it retain strong value among collectors and enthusiasts, with pristine examples regularly fetching premium prices in today's market.
Historical significance and collector interest
Because of its limited run, the RS500 became a landmark model for Ford and a symbol of late-1980s performance culture. Its legacy continues to drive collector interest, with many examples remaining in private collections or museum displays.
Summary
Officially, 500 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth RS500 road cars were produced to meet Group A homologation rules. The figure has stood as the canonical total for decades, cementing the RS500's place as a highly sought-after classic among Ford enthusiasts.
How many Ford Sierra RS500s were made?
More than 5000 Sierra RS Cosworths were made, to homologate the car for Group A racing, while an additional 500 of the three-door bodyshell were despatched to Tickford for upgrading to RS500 spec. This evolution model was given a rebuild by hand and upgrading of the Cosworth 2.0-litre turbo motor to 227PS (169kW).
What makes the RS500 special?
The Cosworth RS500 was announced in July 1987, and was homologated in August 1987. The main difference to the Sierra three-door Cosworth was Cosworth's uprated competition engine. Its new features were: The Inline-four engine had a thicker walled cylinder block and smaller core plugs.
What is the rarest Cosworth?
The RS500 is peak Cosworth; it was unveiled in July 1987 with power boosted to 224bhp and extra winglets for its outrageous spoiler. Just 500 examples were hand-assembled by Aston Martin Tickford, underlining its appeal as the ultimate fast Ford.
How much is a RS500 worth?
In average condition, a Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth is worth £100,000. What is the most expensive Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth to sell in history publicly? The most expensive Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth to sell in history was sold for £370,500.
