The Sierra was one of the most exciting cars ford has ever produced. Many different types. If we are being honest with ourselves most estate cars look ugly as they are, by nature, more functional rather than pleasureable but the infamous Sierra 'cow car' quote " most handsome estate car" certainly tried to change that as it was, of course, a derivative from a well shaped saloon. Note also the much rarer 3 door models as featured in this video as racing rally cars
The saloon racing car on this video actually is a 2.3 liter turbo Merkur XR4Ti. The same body was used also by Ford Sierra XR4i, but that car had a 2.8 liter naturally aspirated V6, which wouldn`t have been very competitive.
So they used the XR4Ti instead and put a big Ford stickers on it to make it appear like a Sierra XR4i. And won the 1985 BTCC championship.
I think that the American Merkur XR4Ti enthusiasts may not be very familiar with this part of the cars racing history.
Had One, Owned one and yes your right about the americans not knowing about the history. I live in US. Too bad that car flopped out here. I loved mine...Had heated seats!!! No other car here at the time had em. Except mabye a Benz for 70k!
They are different bodies, Cosworths used the normal Sierra 3 door body(one rear side window on each side), while XR4i/XR4Ti had their own body with two rear side windows on each side. Google for pictures and you`ll see the difference.
That looks like a Merkur (Mercury) XR4Ti. There was another model called the Scorpio that was a delight to drive. The XR4Ti had problems with the turbo. Besides, the Merkur, pronounced Mare-Cour, had serious problems with name recognition and how to pronounce it. It lasted about 6 years here in the USA and then got dumped.
The only good thing about the Peugeot 405 was its ability to fight rust and its handling, and that was dangerous if you backed off mid corner. Complete with rattly interiors, appaling electrics and an average range of petrol engines it would be better to drive round on/in a milkfloat than a 405 (and ive owned one).
@dougisamug Peugeot 405s were good looking, but they still rusted. The engines were pretty decent and the handling was good, but I'd agree with you on the electrics. We had a knackered one and the interior didn't rattle, just the headrests were about as supportive as a banana. I'd agree with you on the Carina, however.
the first sierra was something different. the second was an old car for it's time. it's rivals (passat, vectra, 405, primera, carina, etc) were all better at every spot. the most dull spots of the sierra was the suspension that is sloppy, the 1.6 is too slow, and the fuel economy isn't good
I owned both of these cars, an 82 Sierra and a 95 Peugeot. The Sierra won hands down, the Peugeot was just a waste of time effort and money. I traded it for another Ford!
sierras were the best shudnt of stopped makin them they had an indestructable engine (well until they stopped using the pinto) and were practical and fun being rear wheel drive
You never see Sierras here in Ireland anymore. They destroyed so many older cars in the mid-late 90's. I loved Sierra's (and other Fords) when I was a little kid. Dont know why, but it was almost an obsession! lol
It was interesting idea design a car simultanously for families, touring car racings and rallys. Chassis was almost the same, suspensions differed a bit, sport cars had Cosworth engines. Sierra has very strong bodywork, the car is still very frequent in European roads.
Wow!! I sat in Andy's Sierra XR4Ti when i was 10 years old, just before the start of the 86 season. Lovely guy, as were his engineers who really looked after me and dad that day! I even still have the signed photo Andy gave to me! Memories...... Thanks for posting this!
The XR4X4 2.9 was a very very fine car that did everything well. Good, safe, family car and when you wanted a little fun, just open up that V6 and enjoy.
The vehicle details for C771 FHK are: Date of Liability 01 02 1998 Date of First Registration 13 09 1985 Year of Manufacture 1985 Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1993CC CO2 Emissions Not Available Fuel Type Petrol Export Marker Not Applicable Vehicle Status Unlicensed Vehicle Colour WHITE must of had a respray
I always loved the alloy wheels on the Ghia, those holes looked great.
doodydude234 1 year ago
Synth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RYEALLEN 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
0:15 "It's one of the most handsome estate cars ever designed". It's an advertisment, nothing wrong with actually claiming your car is the best
db120176 2 years ago
Comment removed
db120176 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Signed (Andy Rouse) RAC BSCC Ford Sierra 1985 Poster. E-bay no: 180404034990
harrogateweddingcars 2 years ago
Hey! they left out my sierra!
"Its a 67 bhp 2.3 diesel car with a 0-60 time the same as a 1960's morris minor"
mrspivvy 2 years ago 8
Excellent car!I own a 1986 3 door Sierra 20 i S..really nice!
clap67 2 years ago 2
The Sierra was one of the most exciting cars ford has ever produced. Many different types. If we are being honest with ourselves most estate cars look ugly as they are, by nature, more functional rather than pleasureable but the infamous Sierra 'cow car' quote " most handsome estate car" certainly tried to change that as it was, of course, a derivative from a well shaped saloon. Note also the much rarer 3 door models as featured in this video as racing rally cars
Regalseven 3 years ago 4
The saloon racing car on this video actually is a 2.3 liter turbo Merkur XR4Ti. The same body was used also by Ford Sierra XR4i, but that car had a 2.8 liter naturally aspirated V6, which wouldn`t have been very competitive.
So they used the XR4Ti instead and put a big Ford stickers on it to make it appear like a Sierra XR4i. And won the 1985 BTCC championship.
I think that the American Merkur XR4Ti enthusiasts may not be very familiar with this part of the cars racing history.
UsernamesAreOver 3 years ago
Had One, Owned one and yes your right about the americans not knowing about the history. I live in US. Too bad that car flopped out here. I loved mine...Had heated seats!!! No other car here at the time had em. Except mabye a Benz for 70k!
akshona 3 years ago
Thank God the North American version had a 2.3 litre turbo and not a 1.8
akshona 3 years ago
European version of that body style had only one engine - naturally aspirated 2.8 liter V6.
UsernamesAreOver 3 years ago
Sorry I meant 2.8 Type-O
akshona 3 years ago
Nope - you're forgetting the later RS Cosworth and RS500 Cosworth which used the 2.0 Turbo.
rct220 3 years ago 2
They are different bodies, Cosworths used the normal Sierra 3 door body(one rear side window on each side), while XR4i/XR4Ti had their own body with two rear side windows on each side. Google for pictures and you`ll see the difference.
UsernamesAreOver 3 years ago 5
That looks like a Merkur (Mercury) XR4Ti. There was another model called the Scorpio that was a delight to drive. The XR4Ti had problems with the turbo. Besides, the Merkur, pronounced Mare-Cour, had serious problems with name recognition and how to pronounce it. It lasted about 6 years here in the USA and then got dumped.
goldtoad55 4 years ago
i very much agree with dougisamug.Brigiolas your talking bollocks
stunty123 4 years ago
Are you serious brigiolas ???
The only good thing about the Peugeot 405 was its ability to fight rust and its handling, and that was dangerous if you backed off mid corner. Complete with rattly interiors, appaling electrics and an average range of petrol engines it would be better to drive round on/in a milkfloat than a 405 (and ive owned one).
And the Carina is as dull as dishwater.
Sierra - the best allround car in its class.
dougisamug 4 years ago 10
@dougisamug Peugeot 405s were good looking, but they still rusted. The engines were pretty decent and the handling was good, but I'd agree with you on the electrics. We had a knackered one and the interior didn't rattle, just the headrests were about as supportive as a banana. I'd agree with you on the Carina, however.
Lukeno52 1 year ago
the first sierra was something different. the second was an old car for it's time. it's rivals (passat, vectra, 405, primera, carina, etc) were all better at every spot. the most dull spots of the sierra was the suspension that is sloppy, the 1.6 is too slow, and the fuel economy isn't good
brigiolas 4 years ago
I owned both of these cars, an 82 Sierra and a 95 Peugeot. The Sierra won hands down, the Peugeot was just a waste of time effort and money. I traded it for another Ford!
PGPyramid1 4 years ago 4
I still run a sapphire diesel, great reliable comfy car. I'll have it til it falls apart
mrspivvy 4 years ago
sierras were the best shudnt of stopped makin them they had an indestructable engine (well until they stopped using the pinto) and were practical and fun being rear wheel drive
2litresierra 4 years ago 2
What a classic!
dazzamccann 4 years ago 3
You never see Sierras here in Ireland anymore. They destroyed so many older cars in the mid-late 90's. I loved Sierra's (and other Fords) when I was a little kid. Dont know why, but it was almost an obsession! lol
DangerousBastard 4 years ago 2
It was interesting idea design a car simultanously for families, touring car racings and rallys. Chassis was almost the same, suspensions differed a bit, sport cars had Cosworth engines. Sierra has very strong bodywork, the car is still very frequent in European roads.
MargusKiistheCritic 4 years ago
gmc copied ford in the sierra
pete804 4 years ago
Actually GMC was already using the Sierra name in the US as an option package on full-size trucks starting in 1971.
mpf1947 4 years ago 2
Wow!! I sat in Andy's Sierra XR4Ti when i was 10 years old, just before the start of the 86 season. Lovely guy, as were his engineers who really looked after me and dad that day! I even still have the signed photo Andy gave to me! Memories...... Thanks for posting this!
SidewaysMX5 4 years ago
The XR4X4 2.9 was a very very fine car that did everything well. Good, safe, family car and when you wanted a little fun, just open up that V6 and enjoy.
focusrs2003 4 years ago
lol the specs are quite funny to modern day standards, but u gotta love this car, My Dad has one. :)
Spookyd88 4 years ago
I love the music. The narrorator's voice is very of the era.
1984AP 4 years ago
Pyroman1990 5 years ago
The Hatch looks a bit like an earlier version of the 1991-95 Telstar TX5 in Australia.Mazda was built better though.
snoopy99990 5 years ago
great find !, my dad had an xr4i turbo for many years, he also had an XR4x4. I owned an xr4i once but never got it on the road =/
momouk 5 years ago
I don't remember the advert, but I remember the cars alright, my friend's Dad had an xR 4X4, and we only had an Escort, so I was jealous.
jezroller3 5 years ago
god i remember this first time round! :(
huffdiggler 5 years ago
Definitely a popular car that! In New Zealand, the WAGON model (the only Sierra assembled there) was actually for a time the top selling car there.
joh2 5 years ago