Chris' Object of Automotive Desire - 1/12

At the prodding of Shane and John, I've bumped up the Merkur XR4Ti and its hot-rod English twin, the Ford Sierra Cosworth, into today's slot from its position in the queue.

Thanks to a combination of a weird name, poor marketing, curiously bulbous looks (which, of course, I find irresistible), the versatility but odd looks of a hatchback, and a unique biplane rear wing that seemed awfully cool to me as a nine-year-old, the Merkur was looked upon by the American market much as townsfolk look at Frankenstein - as a bizarre, deformed, hideous monster to be approached only with great caution and, preferably, torches and pitchforks.

In Europe, however, the Sierra Cosworth was a hero car - comfortable, sexy, fast, and with a rich competition pedigree that bolstered Ford's European performance heritage for years.



A few years ago, I nearly bought a Merkur XR4Ti. It was listed in the Charlotte Observer for $1,200. The owner said it hadn't been driven, registered, or inspected for a year or two; the engine sounded as if the oil sump as full of gravel; and the exhaust was festively streaked with white smoke, legacy, no doubt, of a variety of blown seals or gaskets.
But even in that horrific shape, the Merkur was very quick - the turbo spooled up rapidly, and the car leapt forward with a surprising haste. Even on completely knackered shocks, it still handled well. Had I had more money for maintenance, I may very well have bought that Merkur - and probably thoroughly hated them today.