Fast Ford frenzy as Sapphire Cosworth sells for record price

A pair of fast Fords have broken price records at Silverstone Auctions’ September sale. Together, a 1990 Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4×4 and a restored 1972 Escort RS1600 sold for more than £120,000.

Despite an estimate of around £30,000, the Sierra Sapphire eventually made £52,750 including the buyer’s premium. The 13,310-mile example is one of the finest in the country, with just one lady owner from new.

It’s also believed to be one of the first six sold in the UK. All that, combined with a healthy history file, makes a £20,000-over-estimate hammer price believable enough.

Big prices for classic Escorts are never surprising these days. Nevertheless, a £70,875 hammer figure for a homologation-special Escort RS1600 is remarkable.

It is certainly a deserving example, having just been restored to the highest standard. Presented in Le Mans Green, the car had buyers battling for ownership.

“To achieve not one but two new world records is a fantastic result for our team,” commented Joe Watts, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions. “Both our Porsche Sale and September Sale saw some outstanding classics and excellent prices across the two days.”

The best of the rest

Other cars brought home the coin, too. A 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 made £86,625 – £16,000 over its lower estimate. And a 1971 Maserati Indy brought home £60,750 – £10,000 over estimate.

The Porsche Sale auction a day before did great numbers, too, with a 1998 993 Turbo S beating its estimate by £16,000 and a 1958 356A selling for £20,000 more than expected.

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