Two things usually did it for the Sierra Cosworth. A wet curve quite often, if its driver was unaware of this fast Ford’s capacity for breaking away as unexpectedly as a globally-warmed iceberg, or some thievery, the Cossie a vagabond’s favourite for getaway duties.

Attrition like this saw plenty of these winged beasts making early dates with police pounds and salvage yards, though some shrewd buyers recognised their collectability from day one, which is why there are survivors.