Why I Love Stuart Turner on how the Cosworth Sierra was really born

the Ford Sierra Cosworth, by the man behind the rallying golden eras of both BMC and Ford Europe, ‘The Ford of Britain chairman pointed at a picture of Jim Clark’s Cortina on the boardroom wall and asked me, ‘Will the Cosworth do for the image of the Sier

The Sierra Cosworth was more important to me and my career than I realised at the time,’ says Stuart Turner. ‘In 1983, I was head of Ford of Britain’s Public Affairs when I was asked to write a report on motor sport for Walter Hayes, Vice President of Ford’s worldwide PA team based in America. A few weeks later, somewhat to my surprise I found myself running motor sport for Ford of Europe, reporting to president Jim Capolongo. I thought it would make sense to arrange for him and the chairman, Ed Blanch, to visit Cosworth to see the DFV race engine and meet the company genius, Keith Duckworth.’

During their tour the trio passed a 2.0-litre Pinto engine sat on a bench with a 16-valve cylinder head. ‘Keith commented nonchalantly that he thought that there might be a market for a couple of hundred heads as tuning kits. Knowing Keith, I’m sure the position of the engine was not accidental,’ grins Stuart.

‘Imagine the scene later – two American Ford executives sitting in a traditional English pub with Keith. I suggested over a ploughmans that a Sierra with a 16-valve turbo conversion would see off all our touring car opposition.’

Stuart stresses that while he did not invent the car, the subsequent discussion with two of Ford’s key decision-makers surely helped its case. But to satisfy homologation at least 5000 units had to be built. Moreover, the car had to be analysed, costed, designed and tested before the green light was given. Even the extreme tailgate spoiler caused considerable debate.

‘Ford of Britain had to take a healthy percentage of the 5000 cars. I remember some key board members giving me a tough ride in one meeting. Suddenly Ford of Britain chairman Sam Toy pointed at a picture on the boardroom wall and asked, ‘Will the Cosworth do for the image of the Sierra what the Lotus did for the Cortina?’ ‘Yes,’ I replied, with all fingers crossed. At that point Sam became supportive The picture on the wall? Jim Clark cornering hard in a Lotus Cortina!’

In early 1987 Stuart was at Silverstone to see the Sierra Cosworth’s first race, won by Andy Rouse. A batch of uprated RS500S followed. ‘By year’s end the car had achieved all we’d hoped for. I still feel that that pub near the Cosworth factory in Northampton should have a plaque outside saying, “The Sierra Cosworth was conceived here.”’