31 October 2022
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Corgi Ford RS Cosworth Collection
PRICE: £108.99
REF NO: CW00001
SCALE: 1/43
Cosworth and Ford have a relationship that goes back a very long way on the racing circuits around the world, thanks to the 3-litre V8 DFV engine that dominated F1 from the 1960s to the early 1980s. Cosworth solidified its association with Ford on road cars by developing the YB series of engines.
Starting with the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in 1986, this hugely successful engine was destined for great things both on and off the track. This collection includes three of those famous cars, all very successful for both companies, and which made Ford Cosworth a household name.
In 1983 Stuart Turner returned to manage Ford’s competition Department and, aware the competition had overtaken Ford in motorsport, visited Cosworth to discuss the future. Cosworth’s design genius, Keith Duckworth, ‘accidentally’ left a prototype twin-cam 16V version of Ford’s SOHC T88 2-litre engine in a place where Ford executives would see it.
The resultant Cosworth YB engine debuted in the 1985 Sierra Cosworth and transformed the small specialist Northamptonshire-based firm into major engine manufacturers. The company invested in a new bespoke factory in Wellingborough and, by 1986, were producing over 5,000 engines a year. The Sierra Cosworth was successful on track and in the show room - the initial 5,000 examples being sold out after an avalanche of effusive road tests by journalists smitten by its outrageous performance and styling. Ford then civilised it by building the Sapphire 4-door saloon.
Stuart Turner then suggested the platform and running gear be fitted under the smaller Mk5 Escort bodyshell, thereby creating the last chapter of the YB legend, the Escort Cosworth, which took Ford back to rallying glory.
The sumptuously-replicated models come mounted in a very attractive presentation box with an individually-numbered plaque.