READER’S RESTORATION: Sierra XR4i
Reader’s restoration: Andrew Palmer’s Sierra XR4i is a bit unusual — as you’ve probably already spotted it dates from 1990 and it has two too many doors…
The Mk2 version you never knew about.
As soon as you think you know it all about classic Fords, someone will come along and present you with a brand new piece of evidence. Take the Sierra XR4i for instance. Production began in April 1983, they were built for just over two years until being replaced by the XR4x4 and that was the last anyone ever heard of them, right? Well, not exactly. In 1990 the XR4i badge made a brief reappearance in the UK. It was still attached to the hatchback bootlid of a Sierra, but this time it was a five-door bodyshell.
“I’d call it the Ford Sierra XR4i Mk2,” smiles this Sierra’s owner; Andrew Palmer from Stockton-On-Tees. “To be honest I didn’t know
“IN 1990 THE XR4i BADGE MADE A BRIEF REAPPEARANCE IN THE UK ONLY THIS TIME ATTACHED TO THE HATCHBACK OF A FIVE DOOR”
“ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THERE ARE ONLY 51 LEFT IN THE UK AND IRELAND, WITH JUST SEVEN ON THE ROAD”
much about the car myself when I first got it. I’d been looking for a couple of years for a first project car, something to recommission rather than do a full restoration on. I had an XR2i when I was younger so I fancied a car like that again — something a bit sporty. I had a mental list of ideal cars, and my Dad was into Fords so I thought maybe a classic Escort or even Fiesta SuperSport if I could find one cheap enough. Otherwise, maybe a BMW E34, a Golf GTi or a Renault 5 Turbo, I wanted one that stood out and that I could work on at home.
“In February 2019 I saw an advert for an XR4i in a classic car newspaper,” continues Andrew, “and it was only asking £2400 which sounded very reasonable for an XR4i, although there was no photo. I phoned and had a couple of long chats with the owner. The car was located in Ipswich — a fair distance from where I lived — but since the owner sounded so genuine I bought it sight-unseen off the strength of those two phone calls.
“I knew it was a five-door since he’d explained that to me and he also described it as being a rare car, but I didn’t know for certain what it was. I honestly thought that rarity line was all part of his sales pitch. I got a little bit off the asking price and then asked a mate to collect it. When the Sierra arrived it was just as the guy had described it other than having some very small cigarette burns on the driver’s seat.”
Working from home
The seller had apparently bought the Sierra as a project for himself, so although it was complete there were quite a few jobs to do.
“I did all the work on my driveway and that included new track control arms and brake pads, new soundproofing and carpet,” remembers Andrew. “Although actually the very first thing I did was have a full RAC vehicle check conducted including VIN verification.”
“Then I gave it a full service of all fluids and filters, plugs and leads. I fitted a new battery, MAP sensor and throttle position control unit, and stripped and cleaned the idle control valve. Getting new bits was no problem, I just gave the parts places the numberplate or VIN and they got them in. As far as I’m aware, there’s very little difference between this and a regular 2-litre Sierra of the same age. I’m told it was made as a badging exercise to complete Ford’s XR range since they had the Fiesta XR2i and the Escort XR3i. I really don’t know why you’d have bought it over any other new Sierra though. According to my research there’s only 51 left in the UK and Ireland, seven licensed and 44 on SORN. I was chatting to a mate who runs a garage and he then mentioned he used to have one years ago, in fact I asked his advice about getting the spark plugs out, but otherwise I’ve never seen or heard of another five-door XR4i.”
The Sierra got a full respray by Richard and Robert at Richard Kell Motors in Saltburn by the Sea. “I knew them through my work and initially just asked them to touch up a few areas where the paint was dull. That made the rest of the paint look not so shiny, so in the end I went for a full respray because they did quote me a really good price. It’s finished in the original Radiant Red and they painted the bumpers, mirror bodies and spoiler at the same time.”