afx Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) The “Destroyer” as Ford dubbed the RS500, in its advertising, was a special version of the Sierra released in 1987. Only 500 were built to meet the minimum requirement to qualify the car for the FIA’s Group A category for the upcoming new World Touring Car Championship, which the RS500 duly won. The FIA, in its infinite wisdom then canceled the series. With no World Championship to compete in in 1988 the Eggenberger team descended on the European Touring Car Championship. The RS500 romped on its way to the Make’s championship again. During that same year RS500s won the German, Australian, Belgium and French Touring Car Championships. By 1989 all the top teams were running RS500s. It was really no longer a question of if a Ford would win but which one. Andy Rousse’s Kaliber sponsored team won the championship. Ford would win the championship again in 1990, this time with Trakstar Motorsports. The organizer had seen enough. In the face of the RS500s dominance the Group A regulations where dropped for 1991 and the Sierra’s reign was over. Ford would take the RS500 to WRC where it performed quite well on tarmac (asphalt) events. However being rear wheel drive only it really wasn't competitive on gravel events. Specs: Engine: Cosworth tuned, 2-liter turbo charged, intercooled, DOHC, 16 valves, 4 cylinder Power: 550 bhp Weight: 2425 lbs (class minimum required) Top speed : 180 mph Acceleration: 0-60, 3.5 sec. The model is built basically box stock. I added a few enhancements. I cheated and did not paint the car, I just polished out the black plastic. Edited December 23, 2014 by afx
1930fordpickup Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Looks great ! It is not cheating if it looks this good.
MsDano85gt Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 wowo where does one get that kit?? i wish the stateside escorts looked like that they look so close to a "baby" smaller 85 gt mustang kinda basically were for the most part?? that would complete my escort stash..... to buildup
awhitegt Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Yours is a very accurate and clean build of a great subject. I have also "cheated" on a couple of occasions and polished the body rather than painting. With all of the polishing it seems like as much or more work than painting. It's great to see a post like yours with the history and specs of the subject car. Thanks for sharing.
afx Posted February 8, 2014 Author Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) wowo where does one get that kit?? i wish the stateside escorts looked like that they look so close to a "baby" smaller 85 gt mustang kinda basically were for the most part?? that would complete my escort stash..... to buildup Its this kit by Tamiya. The Sierra was imported to the US and sold by Ford dealers but it was called a Merkur XR4Ti. Edited August 19, 2015 by afx
o-man Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Sweet car! Don't see many of these around and they seem to go for big $$$ on eBay
935k3 Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Great job. I wish they would re-issue this one. The wheels were really nice.
Bennyg Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Godzilla (r32 Nissan gtr) got jeered by the crowd at Bathurst. A lot of people weren't happy with imports romping it in. I just love cars that go great. Don't care where they come from. Ben
Helix Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Good job JC, nice work Great memories of these things flying around the track 'Down-under', they were very quick indeed Here's some footage you might like.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgIwRpKNCY
afx Posted February 9, 2014 Author Posted February 9, 2014 Good job JC, nice work Great memories of these things flying around the track 'Down-under', they were very quick indeed Here's some footage you might like.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgIwRpKNCY That was awesome! Thanks for posting it Ray. I think the Bathurst should get far more recognition than it does around the rest of the world.
thebronze Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 wowo where does one get that kit?? i wish the stateside escorts looked like that they look so close to a "baby" smaller 85 gt mustang kinda basically were for the most part?? that would complete my escort stash..... to buildup It's NOT an Escort.... No relation (other than being a Ford) to the Escorts... The Sierra/XR4Ti's are rear drive... I know as I own a 1:1 XR4Ti Nice job on the RS500... I have a few in My stash
afx Posted February 9, 2014 Author Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) It's NOT an Escort.... No relation (other than being a Ford) to the Escorts... The Sierra/XR4Ti's are rear drive... I know as I own a 1:1 XR4Ti Nice job on the RS500... I have a few in My stash Thanks Kevin. I would love to see some pictures of your XR4Ti. Maybe post them in the '1:1 Car Reference Pictures' Edited February 9, 2014 by afx
Terminator-Fox Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Awesome model! I love that car and the Audi next to it in the one pic!
Helix Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 That was awesome! Thanks for posting it Ray. I think the Bathurst should get far more recognition than it does around the rest of the world. Glad you liked it mate, yeah Australia's greatest race...a lazy Sunday afternoon watching cars race a distance of 1000kms (621miles)
afx Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 Glad you liked it mate, yeah Australia's greatest race...a lazy Sunday afternoon watching cars race a distance of 1000kms (621miles) Blasting down that hill would take "large attachments" as David Hobbs likes to say. Bathurst holds an endurance race as well doesn't?
Helix Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Blasting down that hill would take "large attachments" as David Hobbs likes to say. Bathurst holds an endurance race as well doesn't? They sure do mate, was run and won on the weekend just gone! Here's your winner...Craig Lowndes (V8 Supercar Champ)
afx Posted February 12, 2014 Author Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) They sure do mate, was run and won on the weekend just gone! Here's your winner...Craig Lowndes (V8 Supercar Champ) Sorry I missed it. I like the GT cars way more than the prototypes. Thanks for the interest and all the comments gentlemen. Edited February 12, 2014 by afx
TimKustom Posted February 18, 2014 Posted February 18, 2014 Cool build. Love those cars, my wife had a '90 XR4TI when I met her.
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