Digestible Collectible: 1989 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth
An alternate title I briefly considered: Digestible Collectible: Brexitopia!
I’m not going to pretend that I know anything about the state of international politics beyond what I’ve read here on TTAC, or a few brief articles around the web. While I have my doubts that the world will end because of the “Leave” vote, I’m happy to remain relatively ignorant.
That said, I’m happy to take advantage of the sudden, favorable exchange rate drop, and of course hit the web to see what interesting stuff might be imported.
I’m no forex expert, but the exchange rate (at this writing on Sunday, June 26) is at .731 GBP to $1 US, compared to .666/1 last Thursday and .635/1 in August (all figures from x-rates.com)
A brief glance out the window of my home office reminds me that my driveway is woefully barren, with representatives from only two of the Detroit Big 2.5. Naturally, I need a Ford to fill the gap, and since we seem to love the Blue Oval around this place, I need to fit in with something from Dearborn.
Or Belgium.
Since the Focus RS is finally washing up on our Atlantic beaches, I hit eBay UK trolling for an old-enough RS badge. This gleaming white 1989 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth immediately caught my eye. With a stout Cosworth turbocharged YB four-cylinder under the hood powering the rear wheels, this could be the family sedan of my dreams. It’s basically new with about 77,000 miles on the odometer.
It’s the family sedan of my dreams, except there are no cupholders. I’d rather my kids not spill on the Recaro seats.
That exchange rate is enticing, though. At today’s rate, the 12,695 GBP asking price is about $17,367 US. At last August’s one-year low, this same Sierra would have cost me about $19,992. That $2,600 difference should pay to get it across the ocean and into my driveway.
Chris Tonn is the Large Editor at Large for Car Of The Day, a classic-car focused site highlighting cool and unusual finds.
Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.
More by Chris Tonn
Comments
Join the conversation
Sanjeev....I dare you to find a clean a late 80s Pontiac Sunfire GT turbo!!!
The turbo Cosworth Sierra made the basis for a great race car. Back when we had Group A racing, the Sierra Cosworth ate and gave the V8s a good run for their money. They also looked great. Dick Johnson raced a Sierra that was painted Kermit the Frog green, Disgusting! Nice car.