West Des Moines, IA | USA
Description
We are moving our museum to a new space, and are considering selling a few of our cars and projects. This is a rare ONE OWNER 1985 Merkur XR4 Ti, we bought it off the owner 3-4 years ago. The car is clean inside and out, the only flaw is a dent on the fender we never got around to repairing. With too many other projects going on, we are considering selling this one. VIN WF1BP80W2FM628594 It has the original wheels inside the car, along with a ton of parts, owners manuals, etc. With a good wa...
Our Take:
- European Roots with an American Twist: Launched by Ford's European division, the Merkur XR4Ti was part of a bold strategy to bring some Euro flair to U.S. soil. It was sold exclusively at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships and took cues from the Ford Sierra, a model that ruled the roost in Europe. The "Ti" moniker stood for "Turbocharged injection," hinting at its performance intentions.
- Rare and Short-Lived Legacy: The Merkur brand only existed from 1985 to 1989, making this 1985 XR4Ti among the inaugural models. The brand didn't last long in the states due to its niche appeal and high price tag compared to domestic offerings. So finding one today is like stumbling upon a rare artifact—a brief but fascinating chapter in automotive history.
- Unique Aerodynamic Design: One of the defining features was its aerodynamic styling, including a bi-plane rear spoiler that was quite the head-turner in the '80s. Nowadays, it’s that quirky look and Euro character that draws enthusiasts to these cars, making them stand out at classic car meets.
- One Owner with Original Goodies: The description mentions that this XR4Ti is a one-owner vehicle, which is quite noteworthy. Having the original wheels and a trove of parts and manuals adds a bit of vintage charm and authenticity. It’s like finding an old vinyl record with the original cover art and sleeve—it just feels more complete.
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