A rarity on the road...

[Conti94]

Thats right an 86 Merkur Scorpio, saw at a gas station on Saturday, was a maroon color, looked mint, especially for a Merkur could'nt beleive it, have not seen one in a long time, running and driving. The Scorpio was the sedan version of the XR4Ti same motor as well. A 2.3liter turbocharged four. Merkur the Edsel of the 80's.

 

[lincoln_lurker]

those are actually pretty well equipped cars for their day. good eye actually knowing what it was conti, most people think it's some oddball escort or taurus

 

[chicken]

my auto shop teacher in high school had 2 XR4Ti's he needed two to keep one running very odd cars to say the least, prob only seen one scorpio in person

 

[Frogman]

I heard the "Ti" letters came from Texas Instruments because they're the ones who did some sort of work on the engine computer (if not built the whole thing). Dunno if that's true or not.

 

[Conti94]

I heard the "Ti" letters came from Texas Instruments because they're the ones who did some sort of work on the engine computer (if not built the whole thing). Dunno if that's true or not.

Interesting, that has me curious, the combined minds of Ford MoCo, and Texas instruments comes together. hahaha....what a title.

 

[Aquabrit]

There was a Euro equivalent called the Ford Sierra.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Sierra

When i was a kid, the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was 'king of the streets' where i lived.

 

[Conti94]

There was a Euro equivalent called the Ford Sierra.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Sierra

Thats it the Ford Sierra, thanks. I knew the car was brought over by Ford in about 1985, based on a originally German based model by Ford. That car was the Sierra. Nice find dude.

 

[Aquabrit]

Just to clarify, the Merkur XR4 Ti was equivalent to the Sierra, but the pic you posted - the Merkur Scorpio was equivalent to the Ford Granada. (which was a bigger, more luxurious car)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Granada_(Europe)#Ford_Granada_Mark_III_.281985.E2.80.9394.29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur_Scorpio

In Europe, the top of the line Granada was called the Granada Scorpio. Later, a new car replaced the Granada and was given the name Scorpio.

I know these cars quite well, as my dad owned two Ford Sierra 1.6 L's and One Ford Granada Scorpio (2.9 L)

 

[Conti94]

Just to clarify, the Merkur XR4 Ti was equivalent to the Sierra, but the pic you posted - the Merkur Scorpio was equivalent to the Ford Granada. (which was a bigger, more luxurious car)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Granada_(Europe)#Ford_Granada_Mark_III_.281985.E2.80.9394.29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur_Scorpio

In Europe, the top of the line Granada was called the Granada Scorpio. Later, a new car replaced the Granada and was given the name Scorpio.

I know these cars quite well, as my dad owned two Ford Sierra 1.6 L's and One Ford Granada Scorpio (2.9 L)

Awesome, How did he/you like the car? It looks like a nice ride, especially after seeing a Scorpio up close. I like the styling, and a turbo four to, it must move pretty nice.

 

[slowmkviii]

I see a few of them on the road around here usually rusty though

 

[Aquabrit]

The Scorpio was a 2.9 V6. I never went in that car, as i already had a BMW 735. But, i grew up around the Ford Sierras. My dad's 1.6 liter I 4's were pretty gutless (75 BHP) but they were quite reliable. I remember it having a non interference engine. (cambelt snapped twice and it didn't hurt the valves - Lol)

Rust was a big issue with all 80's / early 90's Euro Fords. The Sierras were given away due to rocker, suspension turret and rear fender rust. The Scorpio was scrapped due to rear fender rust and a broken coil spring.

He now has a 2006 Ford Fiesta Turbo Diesel - nice little car - very economical. (gets over 50 on a run)

My uncle also had a Granada - an 86' 2.0 liter I 4 - i went in that car - very nice and quiet.

You can pick up any of those old Fords for dirt cheap now - they were pretty common on England's streets.

 

[Conti94]

The Scorpio was a 2.9 V6. I never went in that car, as i already had a BMW 735. But, i grew up around the Ford Sierras. My dad's 1.6 liter I 4's were pretty gutless (75 BHP) but they were quite reliable. I remember it having a non interference engine. (cambelt snapped twice and it didn't hurt the valves - Lol)

Rust was a big issue with all 80's / early 90's Euro Fords. The Sierras were given away due to rocker, suspension turret and rear fender rust. The Scorpio was scrapped due to rear fender rust and a broken coil spring.

He now has a 2006 Ford Fiesta Turbo Diesel - nice little car - very economical. (gets over 50 on a run)

My uncle also had a Granada - an 86' 2.0 liter I 4 - i went in that car - very nice and quiet.

You can pick up any of those old Fords for dirt cheap now - they were pretty common on England's streets.

So i take it the 2.3L never was in the European models and it was only a States thing?

 

[Aquabrit]

Think so. The Sierra was available with a 2.3 petrol or 2.3 diesel, but the Granada had other engine sizes ranging from 1.8 (totally gutless in such a heavy car) to the 2.9. Don't think we had any with a 2.3 and a turbo.