1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth | Fence Houses, County Durham

The Sierra RS Cosworth is Ford's rear-wheel-drive homologation special, a family hatchback given a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and bodywork to match. Its wide arches, bonnet vents and large rear wing were shaped by cooling and stability at speed, not styling alone. Didier Auriol won the 1988 Corsica Rally outright in one. This 1987 car is white with a black interior, a crisp, high-contrast pairing that picks out the sharp creases and deep rear wing. Its three doors and long, flat tail give a photographer clean lines and a strong rear three-quarter view. Period advertising, 1980s film and TV, and photography suit it, since the wide-arched shape places a scene in the decade at once. Music videos and fashion shoots gain a bold, angular backdrop, and motorsport events can draw on the rally and touring-car link. Weddings and birthdays for enthusiasts are a brief fit too. The car is based in Durham.