It had to be white, didn't it...
It’s a fast Ford for Shed of the Week this week, but not perhaps, one of the more usual suspects.
The XR4x4 has become one of the forgotten steeds in Uncle Henry’s back catalogue, living in the shadow unsurprisingly (and literally if that famous wing is inline of the sun’s rays) of the mighty Sierra Cosworth. If you’re after a quick Sierra, the XR just doesn’t make it onto the radar, unless you’re talking this kind of money.
Of course, the XR was never meant to offer the hardcore thrills of the inimitable Cossie. Instead it offered easy going power, steady traction, and a mainstream flavour of executive sport for the eighties man in a hurry. Two-point-eight was an impressive number back then.
Marketing recipes were so much simpler then too, and the XR4x4 followed the Ford recipe to the tee: chunky body kit, alloys (with a ‘restrained’ touch inline with its exec ambitions), colour-coded plank bolted to the boot lid and pale grey cloth sports seats. Easy.
Now that's what we call a rear overhang...
It even had a moment in the sun on the rally stages. Not even the driving talents of Carlos Sainz, Didier Auriol and Colin McRae amongst many others were going to make a whale tail Cossie competitive on anything other than tarmac stages, and there was a frustrating gap before the 4x4 Sapphire Cosworth came on stream. The XR had found its niche, but it was a small and temporary one, and one that faded quickly at that.
The trouble now for ‘Shed’, is that history has left the big XR some way back in the rear view mirror. It’s 2792cc Cologne V6 still sounds ‘useful’ on paper and in voice too (this is one of the last of the 2.8s before the 2.9 model came in offering a little more torque), but we’re only talking about 150bhp here, and a 0-60mph time of 8.3 seconds. That’s hardly earth-shattering by modern standards.
Visually, you’ll be playing the ‘retro cheese’ card rather heavily; its appeal largely confined to those who drove and appreciated them at the time, and those who looked on longingly dressed in short trousers. Having said that, the eighties ‘look’ is where it’s at right now, along with white paintwork, and this one looks a minter. Maybe Shed will load the Don Henley ‘Boys of Summer’ cassette into the dash and stoke that V6 once again…
'Cologne' V6 knocks out 150bhp
Advert: This sierra is in superb condition and is one of the cleanest 4x4's I have seen. It has very low mileage at 96k and is fully documented in the last 14 years. It was owned by the previous owner for the last 14 years too. No cracking of the dash board like most sierras and paintwork looks immaculate. Interior is immaculate and completely unmarked. Engine bay is also in outstanding condition. Alloy wheels are completely unmarked with 4 very good tyres. Car comes with service stamps to 76k miles and the last 14 years worth of mot's and tax discs. Thus really needs to be seen to be appreciated. Flew through the current MOT a few weeks back with one advisory on a tyre which has now been sorted. Taxed for 6 months. This car really needs to be seen to be appreciated. Brand new fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel accumulator, plugs, distributor cap, rotor arm, oil filter and engine oil. You don't see many like this anymore. I'm advertising this for a friend but feel free to email any questions and I’ll get you the answer or phone Ian on the number below. I have lots more pics I can email if required.