Sierra Sapphire Rouse 250-R

[cozmeister]

As a Sierra fan, this floats my boat - Has anybody else seen the Rouse Sapphire 250-R thread on passionford?

Limited edition isn't the word    

[RST-Steve]

Rouse Sport 304-R is what you want............. 4x4

[cozmeister]

No no, the 250-R isn't so mainstream as that. It was going to be another Rouse special edition for the non-cosworth Sierras. But only one was ever built, and. It's present owner is restoring it!

[RST-Steve]

Ahh i see.......... slight confusion! All is now clear...

[massivewangers]

Yeah I've seen this, glad it's being saved. Always fancied a turbo twinky, so nice to see it getting the treatment!

[Mike Rainbird]

A 304R turned up to the meet in May - but then if you were there, you would have known that .

[cozmeister]

I spotted it   Made me moist in some inappropriate places   Friend of yours was it Mike?

[Mike Rainbird]

Nope, a newbie, I was just doing the sociable thing and chatting with him .

[cozmeister]

Do you think he would be appreciative of man love in exchange for the Saff?

[rstaaron]

Do you think he would be appreciative of man love in exchange for the Saff?

You're more likely to get the Saph by NOT giving him man love 

[cozmeister]

I'm easy.

[Fireball]

Clearly this saff is pretty special as it has you all creaming on your keyboards, but what exactly makes it so? I assume it's rather fast....?!

[massivewangers]

I would have come to the meet to see it, but it's a bit of a long trip for me at the moment...

It was basically a specced up Saph built by Andy Rouse Engineering (who did some of the touring cars). Was available in 302-R/304-R form (the number denoting whether it was two or four wheel drive), and had been tweaked to improve driveability and performance, as well as comfort.

Interior had revised seats, extra sound deadening, and you could have wood trim and things like that. Exterior had revised skirts and rear spoiler. There was an RS rear valance fitted, and a deep front spoiler (Churchy has one on his car). Also had Rouse badging, and 2WD cars had the vented bonnet from a 4WD fitted. Had wider tyres, revised springs to improve handling. The engine was changed a fair bit too. Big change was the turbo, which was a T25 instead of the T3. Mapping was changed to suit. I think they were about 260bhp, so not massively powerful, but much much much more responsive and a good chunk quicker than a standard car.

Apparently there was one or two 3dr versions built as well. I'm sure Chris or Mike could fill in any bits I've missed, but that was the basic idea of it!

[cozmeister]

You pretty much covered the bases there.  But you forgot the absolutely HIDEOUS wooden door trims

Clearly this saff is pretty special as it has you all creaming on your keyboards, but what exactly makes it so? I assume it's rather fast....?!

Not so much fast, but pretty rare. 

[massivewangers]

I shall be even more helpful and add some snaps of one I took at Central Day a couple of years back:









A 302-R in very nice condition. Should really have ambers I would have thought, but has smoked lights. I don't think they were converted to later spec lighting, but who knows. It is quite a late 2WD to be on an H plate. Shows the body kit quite well, and you can see the wider tyres as well.

Think the 302-R is very rare indeed, have a feeling there was less than 10!

[Fireball]

Man, that is NICE looking! Bloody concourse condition that is.

What kinda numbers were the 4x4's made in and what do they fetch these day in "average" condition? I expect they are rather dear?

[cozmeister]

They do carry a fair premium over a standard Sapphire Cosworth, especially the 302-Rs as they're much rarer.

[massivewangers]

Don't come up for sale too often I wouldn't think.

I can't remember how many 4x4s there were. The number 60 springs to mind, but I don't think that's right. It wasn't many anyway, less than 100 I think.

[RST-Steve]

Less than 10 302-R's too............ i think your right there Jon.