Records were not just broken, but totally obliterated at the Silverstone Auctions' Race Retro Show sale at the weekend when a Ford Sierra sold for almost £600,000. 

The car in question was a very rare example of a Sierra Cosworth RS500 with just 5,000 miles on the clock. It sold for £596,250, smashing the previous record for a car of this type which was just £132,750. 

The presale estimate for the Cosworth was £150,000 to £180,000 but heated bidding saw the price rise quickly. The 80’s fast Ford is one of the fastest appreciating modern classics, but no one expected the price to go so high. 

It is thought that there are around 400 of the 500 production run still in existence, although many have been adapted for racing and rallying which reduces value. This pristine example with such low mileage was pretty much as it was when it rolled of the production line making it highly desirable. At the time 36 years ago the car cost just £19,950.

Many examples of the Sierra Cosworth are owned by Irish enthusiasts and they could now find their pride and joy might also now represent a very fast appreciating nest egg.