That Sierra RS500 changed the tone. You know the one, it sold for close to £600k at Race Retro earlier in the year, and it got a few collectors all excited in the process. No, one Cosworth making telephone numbers at auction doesn’t mean that all Cossies are worth half-a-million-plus, but the mood slightly shifted that day, and the manner in which values of classic, retro and modernclassic Fords have been rising (which, naturally, we Ford fans have all been keenly aware of for some time) was thrust into a wider spotlight. All of a sudden you’ve got seasoned Ferrari collectors wondering about the investment potential of Escort RS Turbos. So it’s only natural that the more collectible elements of the Blue Oval back catalogue should be jealously guarded, kept factorystandard, hidden from view and cocooned in heated air-tight garages rather than actually being used, isn’t it?
Well, no. Sod that. If you’re not enjoying your car for what it is and are thinking solely about its value, you’re not a proper enthusiast; keeping it nice for the next owner might net you a bigger resale profit, but they’re the one who’s really benefitting from your sacrifice
