My
first Merkur was a 1985 XR4Ti I purchased in Seattle in 1988.
Automatic, grey cloth interior, here with 15x7 Ronal R-10 wheels with 225-50 & 205-50s.
Drove it "home" to Texas, then back to Seattle 9 months later, then regrefully sold in Seattle a year later upon moving "home' once again.
A
1988 Scorpio was my second Merkur when I realized my kids deserved their own
doors.
I drove it for nearly 3 years
until I ran across another clean XR in Dallas seen below.
This is my current 1989 XR4Ti, original tan leather, original white paint.
I had gotten slightly spoiled with the way the Scorpio drove, so
a V6 was engine of choice for me.
Knowing that these cars came in Europe with Cologne V6 engines, and having this car was destined to have a V6... A 5.0 may have been easier and more powerful, but I was hoping to give the car some resemblence of a standard powerplant.
In 1994 I installed a 1992 4.0, A4LD, Borla stainless steel headers, dual hi-po cats, K&N filter, black
Scorpio seats, console, steering wheel & column make this car just
a little nicer every day driver than stock. (even though slightly heavier and with auto slushbox,
it can run 1/4 mile times right at a stock 2.3t 5-spd car)
1989 Merkur Scorpio and XR4Ti - USA press release
1983 Ford Sierra L 3-door UK press release, as simple as it got.
1983 XR4 German press release, September 1982.
Notice graduated screens on rear quarter window...You can't see it in these images, but close inspection of the original photo shows that the corners of the rubber are not a perfect fit, in fact look very temporary. Surely a preproduction model. As well, the lower cladding does not even have the trim inserts installed, and the rear fender flare is loose and showing top center mounting point.
Sierra RS Cosworth press release. Andy Rouse with Motorcraft sponsorship on door.
Sierra RS Cosworth 1989 German Touring Car Championship
1985 Sierra RS Cosworth postcard "Une volente de perfection"
Sierra XR 4x4
Ford press photo: Ford Reinforces the Cosworth Alliance 3 March 1987
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