{"id":15931,"date":"2022-05-24T07:41:57","date_gmt":"2022-05-24T07:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=15931"},"modified":"2024-09-12T10:14:54","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T09:14:54","slug":"1986-etcc-merkur-xr4ti-classified-of-the-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/1986-etcc-merkur-xr4ti-classified-of-the-week\/","title":{"rendered":"1986 ETCC Merkur XR4Ti – Classified of the Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

Would you like a racy little number? By which, we mean something that has gen-u-ine on-track credentials, not some stickered up imposter? Of course you would, which is why this 1986 Merkur XR4Ti<\/a> should take your interests and whip them into stiff piques. It’s the bona fide real deal, it was once piloted by Steve Soper and Klaus Niedzwiedz and not only did they tame it, they used it to win races in the 1986 European Touring Car Championship. It finished an impressive seventh at the 1986 Spa 24 Hours and it even gained a podium finish at the brutal Hockenheim circuit. Yes indeedy, this is one serious bit of kit. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

But, you might be pondering, race cars only have a finite shelf life, right? Well, yes, in most cases that is true. This one was at the top of its ETCC game, and then went off to New Zealand to be Soper’s ride in the Welling Street Race in which it finished fourth. And for most racers, that would have been enough. This one, by that point, had been through a number of changes and upgrades to keep it competitive, but ultimately it was mothballed after doing some racing in Australia. That would be the end of it for most cars, but old Fords don’t die, they get faster. And this Merkur is a Ford. <\/p>\n

\"Merkur,<\/a><\/p>\n

In case you’re wondering, Merkur, now defunct, was a luxury offshoot from Ford (Merkur is German for Mercury, which was Ford’s American luxury brand). The company had plans to make the brand big, but ultimately they only managed to make the XR4Ti, a turbocharged 2.3 inline-four version of the Sierra XR4i, and the Scorpio, which was, um, a Ford Scorpio in all but first name. Neither did very well, and in the end the poor exchange rate between Germany (where the cars were built) killed off the brand after six years of poor sales. What Merkur was though, is moot here. What matter is that the XR4Ti was a Sierra, and that meant it could be made to go very fast. <\/p>\n

\"Merkur,<\/a><\/p>\n

The car was a forerunner to the RS Cosworths and RS500s we would soon see on track. As the years rolled on, though, this car become one with the RS500, being fitted with the running gear from one in during its time in Australia. It even had the ‘big window’ rear quarters fitted to make it look like an RS500 too. But in recent years, the decision was made – quite rightly – to convert it back. But the work didn’t end there. The car came back to the UK, landing in the workshops of CNC Motorsport AWS. As the company behind the Rouse RS500 continuation cars, they know a thing or two about an old Ford… sorry, Merkur. <\/p>\n

\"Merkur,<\/a><\/p>\n

Here, the XR4Ti was re-united with the correct 2.3 turbocharged engine, this time with 340bhp, The roll cage was rebuilt to correct 1986 specifications. Other original parts include Bilstein dampers, AP racing callipers and 17\u201d BBS wheels along with a brand new FIA-approved fuel cell. CNC Motorsport AWS\u2019 attention to detail and aim to build period specification cars ensures
\nit will be sold complete with FIA HTP papers and will be eligible for high profile racing events throughout the UK and Europe. These include an invitation for Peter Auto HTC alongside Motor Racing Legends. Now ready to race, the car also has the correct and original Group A Eggenberger specification suspension and rare Getrag \u2018long\u2019 bell housing.<\/p>\n

\"Merkur,<\/a><\/p>\n

How much? Well, it’s a POA affair<\/a>, but if you know race cars and more importantly, race cars with serious provenance, you’ll know you need serious pockets. But trust us, this Merkur will almost certainly be worth every single penny. A legend, a proven winner, a car with legends attached to it, and so fresh from restoration that the engine only has test miles on it. This is it, your chance to strap on your helmet and pretend it’s 1986 all over again. Imagine turning up to Goodwood, or the Silverstone Classic in this. Imagine it. <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Would you like a racy little number? By which, we mean something that has gen-u-ine on-track credentials, not some stickered up imposter? Of course you would, which is why this…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":15936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[93],"tags":[963,13,11,4162,4161,488,4157,565,972,610,1677,4159,56,489,55,16,4160,1687,2163,4158],"yoast_head":"\n1986 ETCC Merkur XR4Ti - Classified of the Week - C&C Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Fancy a racy little number with genuine, in-period, winning credentials to back it up? 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