Ford Sierra XR4i

To add some much needed sparkle to the Sierra range Ford added a sports version in 1983, the XR4i. The XR4i used a unique three-door hatch body which featured unusual split side windows and an eye-catching ‘Biplane’ boot-lid spoiler which was later also to appear on the legendary RS500 Cosworth.

Underneath the XR4i bonnet sat a 160bhp 2.8 litre Cologne V6, as shared with the Capri. Driving the rear wheels, this muscular V6 could propel the Sierra to 60mph in just 7.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 130mph. To prove the car’s sporting credentials, a turbocharged version of the XR4i won the 1985 British Touring Cars Championship in the hands of Andy Rouse.

A real 80s icon, the car was a big favourite with boy racers and road testers alike, who all loved its no-nonsense charm and tail-happy handling. Sadly the model was short lived and was replaced with the XR4x4 model in 1985 after just 25,000 had been made. Today good examples are surprisingly thin on the ground and they are now beginning to become seriously collectable.

This example dates from 1984 and has covered some 97,000 miles from new.  MOTd until June 2013, the vendor advises us that it has had a full respray, recent extensive work undertaken and comes with a Cat II alarm system.  A car to use and improve, it looks like an ideal vehicle in which to join the 'fast Ford' set for little initial outlay.