Forza Horizon has always known how to tap into classic car culture, and the latest iteration is no exception. Among the most anticipated rides hidden across the new map is a true legend of the 1980s: the 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500.
If you are looking to add this iconic, wing-backed hatchback to your garage, you won’t find it in the Autoshow or as a random wheelspin prize. It is available exclusively as a hidden Barn Find. However, the progression system has shifted a bit this time around. Unlike previous games where you could stumble upon barns almost immediately, you now have to actively level up your campaign before you can trigger the rumor and uncover the car.
Here is exactly how to unlock, locate, and restore this absolute classic.
How to Unlock the RumorYou cannot simply drive out to the woods and force the barn to open. To get the specific Barn Find rumor to trigger, you need to engage with the core progression mechanic of the campaign:
Open the Discover Japan Journal: This is your main progression tracker, which you can access directly through the campaign menu.
Earn the Green Stamp: Complete regional activities around the map to accumulate points and secure the required green tracking stamp. You can earn these points by completing story missions, conquering touge and road races, or even smashing regional mascots scattered around the environment.
Reach Level 2 (Tourist): Use those points to level up your progression. You will start as a "Visitor," and you need to hit Level 2 to achieve "Tourist" status.
Receive the Rumor: The moment you hit Level 2, the game will trigger the rumor, and a gray search circle will appear on your world map.
Once the rumor is active, you will need to head out to the Ito region to hunt down the physical barn.
The Region: Set your waypoint for the southern sector of the Ito region.
Visual Landmarks: Look for the winding pathways near the iconic Kinkaku-Ji temple area.
The Exact Spot: Directly south of the main road, tucked away in the very corner of the region, you will find a dense patch of forest. Drive off-road into these trees to find the secluded barn structure hidden deep in the foliage.
Finding the barn triggers a cool cinematic where your character discovers the car resting inside an old transit container. It has seen better days, so it gets towed back to your garage to be restored.
The Wait Time: Because the classic hatchback needs a decent amount of work, it takes roughly 1 to 2 hours of real-time gameplay to fully restore.
Free Passive Repair: The best way to handle this is to simply go back to playing the game. Complete a few more races, drift down some mountain passes, or explore the map. The garage mechanics will fix the car automatically in the background for free.
The Instant Option: If you are completely impatient and have cash to burn, you can pay a premium fee in Credits to bypass the timer and get the car immediately. However, it is highly recommended to just wait it out so you can save your hard-earned currency for performance tuning later.
