Fast Fords are big news these days, especially when they have a fully known and documented history - and they don’t come with a much better pedigree than this one, which has been in the same ownership since 1991.
Back when the owner bought it, the Sierra was still in production, and the rest of the car industry had finally caught up with its game-changing aerodynamic styling. 41 years since its debut, it’s hard to imagine the scale of the impact the Sierra had. Styled by French designer Patrick Le Quement to completely revolutionise the family car sector, its slippery shape and rounded curves were like nothing we’d seen before.
A sporty version was inevitable, and it arrived in 1984. This one is one of the very first. With its distinctive double-decker boot spoiler and pepper-pot alloy wheels – it certainly didn’t hide its light under a bushel.
The owner bought it at seven years old and with 66,000 miles on the clock, as a young man. Then along came a wife, a family and a career. The Sierra stayed but went from daily driver to occasional fun car to garage ornament – kept MOT’d and in casual use until 2002, then tucked away in the garage of the family home for the next 20 years.
Last summer, the vendor decided the Sierra deserved a new lease of life, so it was pulled out of the garage and comprehensively overhauled at a cost of over £9,000. Today, it’s immaculate and also for sale – here’s your chance to buy an XR4i with a pedigree unlike any other…
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
First registered in May 1984, making this a very early XR4i indeed
Purchased by vendor in November 1991 and used as his daily car until 1994
Repainted in Azure Blue in 1993 – the paint it still wears today. Invoice for the paint and bodywork included
MOT until November 2023
UK V5C
MOT certificates up until 2002 when the car was taken off the road
Some historic invoices
Genuine mileage
Recommissioned by classic car specialist between August and November 2022 at a documented cost of over £9,000
Original Ford manuals and handbooks
Original advert from Auto Trader through which the vendor bought the car
Two sets of keys
THE INTERIOR
Ford ‘Raven’ velour trim
Sports front seats
Red piping around dash inserts and centre console – a wonderfully Eighties vibe!
Kept out of the sun for over 20 years, so no sun damage or cracks to the dashboard, as commonly seen on Sierras
Exceptional condition inside with no major wear
Radio needs tuning or recoding
THE EXTERIOR
Repainted 30 years ago in Ford Azure Blue and still looks incredible today, with only minor ‘spidering’ under the paint in places
Original body kit, arch extensions and side skirts
Outrageous double decker ‘tea tray’ spoiler in great condition
Refurbished pepper-pot alloy wheels
Sunroof
All original badges and trim in good order
Excellent order underneath with no welding carried out
THE MECHANICS
2.8-litre V6
Five-speed manual transmission
Completely overhauled by classic car specialist over four-month period in 2022
Mechanically wants for nothing – all consumables and worn components relating to the engine, steering, suspension and braking systems have been renewed
New fuel tank
Sports exhaust system
SUMMARY
An original XR4i is a very rare car these days and an early example in good condition will command a following, but this one is something altogether more special.
Unlike many XR4s, which have passed through the hands of multiple owners, been used and abused and - if they got lucky - restored, this one has been the property of the same owner since John Major was Prime Minister and the first Gulf War was in full swing. It’s a piece of social history in itself – a performance car from an era when performance was one part tuning and handling, and an equal measure of outlandish body styling.
Make no mistake. This is an incredible car, and one with a fabulous story behind it. It’s so cool, it hurts.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1984 Ford Sierra XR4i
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