Is the Sierra Ghia a classic? Not just yet, it seems...

Afinal bargain at MPC’S March Runcorn sale caught my eye. A remarkably original ’92 Ford Sierra 2.0i Ghia manual estate with a warranted 69,000 miles. Not a cardcarrying classic yet, but the Sierra wagon is a very rare thing now and with its original service history book and pack, selling dealer number plates and run of Mots going back to 1985, this very well-preserved specimen was surely worth more than the derisory £2300 bid? Being a Ghia, it came with all those blue oval executive extras we used to get so excited about like electric tilt-and-slide sunroof, power windows, factory alloys and headlight wash-wipe, plus it had just two owners in 20 years. For such a small amount of loot this was a charismatic and rare load lugger that you could cheerfully drive every day. It was very well bought indeed.

Nineties Fords have a growing following and the Sierra has become an exemplar of a carefree decade when company cars were handed out like Smarties and being able to wear those little Ghia badges on your front wings meant so much to so many. I remember selling nearly new Sierras by the transporter load back in the day and clearly recall the huge affection and allure of the higher spec models. Back then sales reps would change jobs for the in-car entertainment and if your firm awarded you a 2.0-litre injection Ghia estate the next step was a seat at the boardroom table and a Granada Scorpio. That this once fashionable Ford has survived in such lovely condition is a credit to those two previous owners. Let’s hope the buyer continues to carefully cherish this icon of a simpler era. The Sierra will eventually have its day in the sun. Bargain of the sale?