Mk1 Sierra
What you need to know.
Few cars have had their work cut out like the Sierra. On its October 1982 launch, not only did the new arrival have to fill the humongous boots of the Cortina, but it also had to convince hardcore Ford buyers that rather than a traditional saloon, what they really wanted was a hatchback.
Despite the manufacturer laying the foundations for the Sierra’s smooth new lines with the reveal of the Probe III concept at the 1981 Frankfurt Motor Show, the new-fangled Cortina replacement was simply too radical for some Blue Oval fans. For those that could leave the past behind though, the
Sierra promised plenty of future driving enjoyment. Questions over its looks remained, and there was some criticism over its high-speed stability in crosswinds, but there was no denying that the Sierra was a marked improvement over the Cortina. It was roomier, better equipped and more refined.
In particular, the interior played a big part in the Sierra’s grown-up feel, featuring a contemporary ‘command point’ dashboard that curved round to make the controls more accessible to the driver. Folding rear seats, advanced rear suspension and the availability of a five-speed gearbox on higher specification models also added to the comfort factor.
It wasn’t all new though, the Sierra inheriting the Cortina’s rear-wheel-drive and the majority of its engines, including the 1.6 and 2-litre Pinto, plus the 2.3-litre Cologne V6. A 59 bhp 1.3-litre Pinto and a 66 bhp 2.3-litre Peugeot-derived diesel completed the engine line-up. Ford wasn’t shy in offering a wide array of trim levels either, customers having a choice of base, L, GL and Ghia variants.
Sierra customers were spoilt for choice, but initial sales were slow. However, once drivers got used to the shape and the ‘jellymould’ jibes wobbled away into obscurity, there was no stopping the Sierra. It was one of the UK’s most popular cars in 1983 and the Mk1 remaining a best-seller until the facelifted Mk2 debuted in 1987.
Considering the number of Sierras that hit the roads then, it’s ironic that cooking Mk1 survivors are now thin on the ground. It’s easier to buy a Cosworth than a 1.6L, so if you want a Sierra that really does stand out, search out a lowly, lesser-spec Mk1 and you’ll have a rare classic Ford that enjoys a level of attention that is far from basic.
“THERE WAS NO DENYING THAT THE SIERRA REPRESENTED A MARKED IMPROVEMENT OVER THE CORTINA”
“FORD WASN’T SHY IN OFFERING A WIDE ARRAY OF TRIM LEVELS”
“ONCE POTENTIAL BUYERS GOT USED TO THE SHAPE, THERE WAS NO STOPPING THE SIERRA”