Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 stars in record-breaking auction

In the late ’80s, 500 Ford Sierra Cosworths were sent to Aston Martin Tickford to be upgraded to RS500s. Changes included upgrades to the engine (including a stiffer block, larger turbo and intercooler), new bodywork and a 20bhp power boost.

The example sold at Saturday’s Race Retro sale has covered just 5192 miles since new and was cared for meticulously by its previous owner, who’d had it for around 14 years.

But this wasn’t the only pre-sale estimate blown out the water this weekend.

The Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 is a more civilised road car than its three-door sibling © Silverstone Auctions

A Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 achieved another world record when it sold for £109,125 – more than double its £50,000 estimate.

This one-owner car has covered just 10,727 miles since new and has been carefully maintained its whole life.

It crossed the block with its unused spare wheel, manuals, detailed service history, an original sales brochure and even the unused Haynes complimentary duster.

The four-door Sapphire body first appeared in 1988 as a more practical alternative to the three-door Sierra; it was no heavier than its predecessor and the larger shell was actually beneficial for aerodynamics.

This S3 Lotus Elan was gifted to The Avengers star Diana Rigg © Silverstone Auctions

Another world record was taken last weekend by a 1966 Lotus Elan S3 Drophead Coupé which sold for £164,250, against its £80-120,000 estimate.

It was gifted to actress Diana Rigg after filming finished for the final series of The Avengers – this car starred in the fifth series of the show.

Rigg played spy Emma Peel in 51 episodes of the popular television series. This car’s odometer reads 2552 miles, which is thought to be accurate, and was sold with some Avengers memorabilia.

Mr Lotus himself presented this Elan S4 FHC to Formula One driver Jochen Rindt in 1970 © Silverstone Auctions

A second Lotus Elan that has had a star-studded life became one of the sale’s other history-makers when it sold for £65,250, a new world model record, but beneath its £80-120,000 guide price.

Colin Chapman presented Formula One driver Jochen Rindt with the 1969 Lotus Elan S4 FHC at Hockenheim in August 1970 following his win at that year’s German Grand Prix in a Lotus 72.

Rindt was killed at Monza just a few weeks later, but his performances throughout that year still secured him the 1970 World Championship after his death.

Royal connections elevated this Land Rover Defender well beyond its pre-sale estimate © Silverstone Auctions

And the records kept coming, a 2010 Land Rover Defender 110 County sold for £123,750, significantly exceeding its £50-70,000 estimate.

Its first owner, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, had the car built to his own specification – it has Keswick Green paint, Land Rover seat covers and alloy wheels.

The final world-record-breaking lot was a 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec Tommykaira R-S which sold for an undisclosed amount.

The one-of-35 car is a Japanese rarity. It was imported to the UK in 2016 and shows fewer than 50,000 miles on the clock.

Clockwise from top: rare Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R was imported to the UK in 2016; 12 BMW M3 CSLs have been transformed with a manual transmission conversion; 1993 Lancia HF Integrale Evo II was owned by Rowan Atkinson © Silverstone Auctions

Other notable results at the Silverstone Auctions Race Retro sale came courtesy of a 1993 Lancia HF Integrale Evo II owned by Rowan Atkinson which achieved £87,750.

Meanwhile, a 2003 BMW M3 CSL with a manual gearbox conversion sold for £78,750, a UK model record.

Images: Silverstone Auctions

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