The Ford Sierra Story 

Erratum: Yeah, "Toni" isn't the name for mountain in Spanish. My Spanish isn't good, and I read the research for this incorrectly.

Life is strange: one minute you're busy on the production line in Dagenham making Sierras, 30 odd years later they're history stories on RU-vid.

Four words said it all: Ford Sierra RS Cosworth.

I love the styling of this car, one of Ford's best imo....and the RS Cosworth takes it to another level!

One of my favourite Ford designs. Beautiful car, I wish I had one of these today.

"Toni" is just short for Antonio... Sierra is mountain range in Spanish... and saw.

Wish I still had my XR4i now, absolutely loved that car

Really enjoy these stories, as I grew up in the 80s as most of us did with these cars on the road , it's nice to now have a complete reference to the history of the vehicles that we all took for granted back in the day, just subscribed , keep them coming !

I have always liked Ford Sierra, it was such a futuristic car back in 1982. Drove my driver's license with Ford Sierra sedan in 1992. I also have some Ford Sierra modelcars and toys from the 80's, for example the Matchbox white Sierra XR4i, Schabak 1/25 Ford Sierra sedan, etc. :)

Saludos desde Argentina. Aquí tuvimos el Ford Sierra desde 1984 a 1993. Rompió con todos los moldes y fue revolucionario . Llegué a tenér un XR4. Todavía lo extraño mucho 😭

At *last.* Thank you for creating this video. I owned three of these gorgeous cars when I was younger and miss them to this day.

As weird as it looks, I loved this car in my childhood because of it’s rounded and modern design.

You've just got to love that Rover sd1 design.

Awesome video! I've heard of the Ford Sierra. We got the Sierra in the USA. It was called the Merkur. The sporty version was called the XR4ti, whilst the 4 door liftback was called the Scorpio. Why neither sold well is beyond my understanding. But sadly, there have been many cars over the years that were cancelled after only a few years here.

This video was recommended for me even though I’ve already watched it. My dad has a Sierra. It was a D reg and he said it was a 2.0. It black with pepper pot alloys and the writing on the boot lid was red. They were stickers instead of badges. It had sport seats and a kind of rubbery spoiler. It was fast. The only one like it I had seen. His pal crashed it and that was it gone. But years later, on a coach back from a school trip in Glasgow, I could’ve sworn I saw it on the other side of the motorway. Same black D reg Sierra with a spoiler the wheels appeared the same colour. It was on the opposite carriage way obviously speeding so the wheel ms were really just a blur. I was gutted when it got crashed and had to go. My dad was the only one around where we lived. It was nice. First car that ever burned me when I touched it on a really hot day. I miss it. It’s been about 25 years and I still think about it.

Nice one I once hired a ford fiesta at Hertz in Manchester On arrival at Hertz, they said sorry don't any fiestas left but we do have a ford sierra. The result was I felt like the king of the road for a weekend.

I worked for Ford's Lincoln Mercury division when these vehicles showed up on US shores. The Merkur XR4-Ti (Ti stood for Turbocharged, Intercooled but NONE were Intercooled) Coupe' came first with a 2.3 Turbo 'Pinto' engine in late 1984 with 5 speed or C-5 Auto gearboxes. This was the only engine it ever had here. The early models had the double 'Whale Tail'. Quite a peppy vehicle. In 1987 the Sierra was sold here as the Merkur Scorpio with a VERY highly tuned 2.9 Cologne V-6. These cars were easily capable of cruising at 120 MPH+ and all had EEC-IV electronic controls.. As I remember, the Scorpios were recalled before they even got off the freighters for power door locks, Speedometers and radiators. The Aluminum radiators were a first ever seen on US shores and I sold all of my recalled radiators to fellows in North Carolina where they put them to work as condensers making illicit Whiskey. The driveshaft 'Gobbo/Guibo' joints all failed after time and parts were in short supply so many owners had one piece (Repairable) driveshafts made as the factory Universal Joints were non serviceable. We stopped importing them in 1990 or so as the Mercury Sable looked quite similar and could be has for much less money and exchange rates were changing. I always liked these fascinating cars.

One of the most import cars Ford has made in the last 40 years.

Really enjoy your videos! I've been a car geek since I was about 8 and I vividly remember being absolutely dazzled by the sleek, futuristic design of the Ford Sierra when it was first released. They were so common on Dutch roads in the 80s that I had always assumed that the model was a huge sales success!

I love the looks of the Sierra. The headlights and the crazy rear end are awesome!

I bought a brand new Ford Sierra XR4i it was a very fast car and I got a lot of enjoyment out of it. Great car and very reliable.

I so loved the styling of the Merkur XR4TI when it landed here in the US! It was my last car model I ever built, the most well done model I ever built, and I painted it in metallic sapphire blue.

I'm British and I've had meetings with Americans that went exactly like that!

My Dad had a Sierra 1.6 in 1987, a red company car, I thought it was great. My favourite feature of the car (to my early teen sensibilities) was the little joysick on the centre console for setting up the balance for the 4 speaker stereo, witchcraft! Never seen anyone else comment on this, was it only me that appreciated it I wonder? Great review, subbed.

I had a 1992 1.8GLX in diamond white. Bought it in 1998 and it was spotless. Sold it in 2000 to a friend who ran it for another four years and it was still spotless when he sold it. Lovely car. With headlamp wipers! Fab.

The shocking fact is to observ that Sierra’s are almost extinct in UK, as many other cars, the Queen’s Land is no safe haven for old automobiles.

When I was younger I always saw these cars and just Loved them

Yes the "Cosser" was the one to have. I briefly had a diesel estate with the Peugeot engine, it was OK, slow but very spacious. Thanks, very informative, I never realised there were so many variants. Interestingly enough I have an MGB which I built using rear running gear from a Sierra, it uses the diff,shortened drive shafts, the hubs and discs, some of the later models had the rear disc brake assembly.

Being born in the mid 80s, I first started to notice cars at the point where the Sierra was everywhere, and wasn't all that special. I still struggle with the notion than its styling was too radical for many. Kids eh?!

Sierra's where absolutely fantastic car's decent to drive simple to service absolutely loved the few I owned many years ago, rust killed most unfortunately !

I loved my Sierra XR6 3litre...the wonderful growl from the exhaust as I floored it between traffic lights, ah! to be young and carefree. Hi from South Africa

Fun Fact 1: The Isuzu Piazza was sold in Australia as the Holden Piazza! It was a sales disaster! Fun Fact 2: Even though the Ford Sierra was never sold by Ford Australia, because we had the Ford Telstar (rebadged Mazda 626) and the larger Ford Falcon, the Sierra Cosworth was used in Australia's ATCC (Australian Touring Car Championship) in the mid to late 80's and early 90's and was very successful! Thanks for another great video! I'm really enjoying them!

Nostalgia for me. I used to own a Sierra 5 Door hatch back, 1.8 GL. thanks for upload.

2.0is was by far most legendary model here in Finland outside of cossies. Oh and we had quirky tax special too known as stockmann turbo with turbocharged 1.6 ohc

I have owned a Ford Sierra for 10 years and it is already 35 years old. Greetings to Cologne from Siberia. Design on top! The repair is very thoughtful and simple.

Never liked the Jellymould hatchback but I did think the Sapphire saloons were pretty stylish 👌

Remember our local Ford dealer had a blue and white striped marquee for the Sierra release and heavily guarded till the release date but I sneaked in there and was shocked at the time at this futuristic car which I grew to love. I might be wrong but think this was the shape of future cars.

Was that comedy or documentary? I wouldn't be surprised if the meeting went exactly like that!

One of my all time favorites ,and this car has a lot of history with me

When is the Ford Escort Story coming??

Sierra was a joy to see, to wash, to drive, to be in!

These MerKur XR4TI was fun to drive and cheap to fix

My grandma was a Cortina and Sierra woman - her last car before retirement was a 2000E. She also talked her neighbour into buying Cortina's but his last car was a Honda Integra which he liked because of of the reliability and powertrain.

Man, I simply love you, what a strange feeling, I am surprised myself but this is just the right word in return for the pure perfection you craft here - a well balanced and the most reasonable tone of voice I have ever heard, such a fine reasoning and precise commentary. My students just learn how to [go speaking the King's" listening to you. A job constantly well done, sir!

Man, as I was watching this, I was thinking "Isn't this the boy racer car?" - glad you mentioned that!

Great content, I worked at a ford dealership in the 70's & 80's & remembered the Sierra launch including the chocolate " jelly mold " cars

Great video, really enjoyed this. I had 3 Sierras and they were great cars.

I owned 2 of the 1.8LX models and 1 of the 2.0Ghia doch model. All where so smooth, comfortable and lovely cars.

The first time I saw a Sierra I promptly hit it with my bus , the driver had hired it and said his brakes locked up And couldn't stop , overshooting the bend in front of me , I often wonder if back in 1982 I was the first to hit one , if not I must have been one of the first.

Every day I miss my NZ market 89 RS Sapphire Cossie 2wd in white. Biggest regret I've made selling that. Would love that back and a late model 4x4 Ghia wagon V6.. hell yes

The Ford Sierra was a great car, roomy enough for 5 (especially in 5 door form), aerodynamically good, and practical, economical and well made. I personally would have kept this in production and improved on it further giving it all the updates it needed over its life. The Ford Sierra had a lot to give for all it's worth and it delivered in spades.

I well remember my Ford Sierra 1.6L - the gear knob came off in your hand (especially on hot sticky days) and when you went round a roundabout the passenger door would fly open if you didn’t lean over and grab the interior door handle :) they don’t build em like that anymore :)

An old colleague of mine who is ex-old-bill said that the force hasn't had a better car since the Sierra!

Bless for Ford Sierra 1982 - 1992. Now and forever :3

Toni does not mean mountain range in spanish. Sierra does though 🤦‍♂️

Love all these 1980s era Ford Stories, amazing how long the time period was back then, between early development & launch.

Love the Spectrum shirt - very 80s. And cool.

From South Africa, I don't remember them releasing a Sierra pickup truck and definitely never saw one. I had a '92 Sapphire, loved that car.

I prefer the MK1 head- and taillights for the Sierra.

Great video of a truly imho underated car. My first one was a 1.8 LX CVH as a young rep in the UK. My colleagues were all Cavalier fans, but I adored that car! The mechanic at my local Ford dealer swore me to secrecy and rejetted the carb, advising me to run 4 star fuel in place of unleaded. Said colleagues were gobsmacked when I repeatedly blasted past them in the weekly escape from the office! Absolute joy drifting broadside around roundabouts in the snow. I often used to do at least 3 circuits much to the consternation of my wife! Years later I bought a used 2 litre Pinto engined station wagon in South Africa. Again a magnificent car, drifting on African dirt roads is incredible fun! In my opinion one of the best Fords ever.

10 print “I love rear wheel drive Fords” 20 goto 10 Run

In South Africa we also got the Sapphire with a Ford V8 small block. That thing sounded amazing. Looked great too, especially in a certain blue variant. Oh and it had the Ghia treatment so it was very nice inside. They was probably the only Ford I liked as a youngster.

In South Africa the Sierra XR8 was made especially famous in the early 80's by a gang of bank robbers (the Stander gang) which used one as their getaway car.

As a Cortina and a Capri owner in the early eighties, the Sierra didn't impress me at first. Till I drove one. I was sold! It really was a 'drivers' car.

Kind of ironic that a humble rep mobile gave us some of the most desirable cars ever made,namely the XR4i,XR4X4 and of course the Cosworth.A true icon in motoring history.

I grew up with a Ford Sierra - my fathers... Now I own a Tesla Model S (Performance/highspeed version). I enjoyed learning driving in the Sierra and sometimes nostalgically miss it :-) (But I love the crazy comfort and speed - having a luxury 4door w. 2.3sec 0-100km/h time was unthinkable back them; now its 'everyday driving' :- )

My father had one of these in South Africa. He had a 1985 with the 3.0 6 cylinder if I recall correctly. I learnt to drive in this car and I thought it was nice looking.

I love the Sierra RS cosworth!

My dad had a Sierra Mk2 Station Diesel and it was his best and most reliable car he ever owned.

End of production parts bins is Fords way with all models. Maybe other manufactures too.

Go South Africa!!! W0000T. As a teen, in the late 90's I used to drive the Sierra station wagon, but it had a 3.4L V6 motor shoved in and it was pretty quick for its size, and the turbos made this woosh sound when you took your foot off the gas at high rev's, and other than the fat wheels and the holes in the bonnet it looked like a normal station wagon. Thank you for making this video, they need to add a

I had a 1989 1.8 lx and my dad had a 1992 XR4 x4. Both 5 door hatchbacks. Loved them both, wish we still had them.

I assume you don't hang that Spectrum t-shirt next to your BBC Micro one, there'd be a hell of a punch up in your wardrobe. Quality content as per.

We have an ' 89 Sierra Ghia 2.0 Estate, still in mint unrestored condition , the only previous owner was a marine engineer who filled every orifice and rust prone void with oil from new, 31 years on it remains as perfect underneath as on top ,MOTs are almost look forward to for the admiring comments !. It is also totally reliable and supremely comfortable.Always being asked if it is for sale .

I owned 2 sierras.

My Dad had a boring white Montego as a company car. One day he got rear-ended and the car was written off. While the firm sourced a new vehicle he was given a brand new 4x4 bright red Turbo Sierra. Was so gutted when he had to give it back. *carries on watching video* @8:52 got me right in the childhood but @10:48 finished me off!

My mate had a sapphire RS Cosworth which I think is the fastest car I’ve ever been in

I'm South African. I never owned one but loved the Sierra since it came here.

Good video, but with two errors though: 1. The layout's called Fastback, which ironically originated as a compromise between booted - but thus less adaptable - Saloons and roomier - but what were thought parental / utilitarian & thus boring - Estates. Unlike with the SD1 - and arguably the Hillman Imp - the Sierra had a rather more useful fully opening tailgate, instead of a 'Liftback' hatch. 2. The claim about being first to introduce annoying promps is misplaced. Seatbelt Warning was a standard feature of the Austin Princess, years before the Sierra was designed. (BL technically didn't need such a feature at the time though, because seatbelt use wasn't a legal requirement in the 1970's)

extremely interesting. this shows the consumer does not have always an ability for discernement. the shape of the Sierra was excellent, both functionaly, and aestheticaly.

The Sierra's problem was that it was too ahead of its time. Just look at the MK3 Cavalier that it struggled to compete with towards the end of its production run.....the same "jelly mould" styling ethos as the Sierra.

I had a 1.8L sierra sapphire. Very reliable car and good for long motorway journeys. I put a big stereo in it, lowered the suspension and put expensive alloy wheels on it. Sold it for a Rover sd1 vitesse which was unreliable and cost loads in fuel. Great video. How about Talbot cars? I had a Talbot Samber as my very first car; small, lots of plastic and not very fast.

Great video! The Sierra was my absolute favorite car when i was a kid, unfortunately my dad couldn't afford it and so we had an Escort instead. Also a great car. Suggestion for a future video: the story of the Skoda Favorit/Felicia.

The XR 4x4 was my first ever brand new car. By modern standards it wasn't very powerful or very fast, but, across country there was very little that could stay with it at the time. It also liked a drink (fuel consumption in the 20's was only possible on long motorway runs) but I remember the car with great fondness and there's no way I would ever have bought a Vauxhall.

In Lithuanian, Sierra (without extra "r" that is) literally translates to sulfur. And despite these cars being rare today, I remember how common they were in the early/late 2000's, much like Mercedes 300CE.

Did any survive without the dashboard cracking ?

Absolutely loved Sierras... had two and they were brilliant. Really enjoyed this video....except for the ads!

17 minutes of talking about the Sierra without one mention of the most significant feature: RUST! The Sierra was an utter rot bucket. The Cavalier was too, but at least it was a front wheel drive rot bucket.

As a kid born after the petrol crisis, I missed all the classic and performance cars previous generations enjoyed. But within the confines of the times, this car was the absolute tits! Loved mine till the wheels fell off, then got another Sierra and drove that one straight into the Covid crisis. We practically grew old together.

LOL. I had some good laughs with this one. The Merkur was a rather unfortunate choice for a model name. Firstly, it was sold by Lincoln-Mercury dealers, but the name looked like someone from Mercury made the name badge after a night long drunk. If it was a Mercury, why the weird spelling? It looked like some kind of mistake. It was also the name of a fairly well known ghost town in Utah, a rather unfortunate choice for a car model. Lincoln-Mercury dealers had their arms twisted to add the Merkur line to their dealership, including a small sign at the far end of the parking lot, and a single Merkur was usually displayed in a dusty corner of the showroom, behind a stack of brochures for better selling Mercurys. The XR4Ti model name didn't exactly roll off the tongue, and the rear wheel drive/rear drums combination was a disappointment for what was supposed to be a European car. The engine was an old design, and the turbo didn't have an intercooler. Ford had the misfortune to introduce the Merkur just when the inflation rate was beginning to ramp up again from its 1980/81 highs, going from 1.9% at its 1986 introduction to 5.5% by the time it was discontinued in 1989. The German Mark was becoming the preferred global currency, and the exchange rate was raising the price of the car even as Ford added no new equipment. Things like power windows and locks, power brakes, and a moonroof remained extra cost options at a time they were becoming standard in other cars, especially ones like the new Acura Integra lineup of 1989. The price kept rising, and the XR4Ti became less competitive. Mercury dealers, seeing the Merkur as a car that didn't fit into their lineup, did very little to promote it, especially at the XR4Ti price rose to about what you'd pay for a standard Lincoln Continental with much better standard equipment. I had the chance ot drive the 1989 version for a couple days. It wasn't a bad car. Fit and finish were good, the weird bi-plane spoiler and telephone dial alloys were gone, and it was a pleasant looking car. It was fast enough, although less than I expected for a turbo model. Gas mileage for what in the US was a small car wasn't good, about 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg city. It was one of those cars that really didn't have any outstandingly bad features, but also didn't have any outstandingly good features. It was just the wrong car being sold under a wrong brand, and at too high a price. It did sell about 20,000 more copies that the US version of the Cortina, but Ford saw the writing on the wall, the last few XR4Ti's being sold in 1990.

12:43 The Sierra 4x4 Ghia had an engine you didn't list a 2933cc V6. It was an amazing vehicle, the grip level was insane and it would out-perform many hot-hatches...

Could you do the Ford Escort next? :)

Superb video I could listen to you all day

only the South Africans would put a V8 in a Sierra ,

I remember in the early days the Sierra was introduced in Venezuela the first years it was a common sight to see a Sierra with the hood (bonnet) open on the highways.

Could've mentioned the Sapphire Cosworth, and Sapphire 4x4 Cosworth

Sierra was, and still is my dream car

The XR4X4 was so good to belt around the countryside on the emergency driving course. Such fun. Always had a soft spot for the Sierra. Great to hear the story here :)

„Man & Mashine in perfect harmony“ is amazingly true. Love this car

Why does your logo look like a Prius?