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Well, the time has finally come to clean out the garage and the ol girl's got to go.
http://www.offcamber.net/cars/merkur/img000.jpeg.medium.jpeg
http://www.offcamber.net/cars/merkur/img001.jpeg.medium.jpeg
This is our '87 Merkur XR4Ti. Another one of Ford's fine orphans. This was just our second brand new car when we bought it new in Florida in 1987. I had a Capri and we both had Fiestas previously so we were thrilled to be able to get a brand new German (sort-of) Ford. These were wonderful cars. These days it feels more like a highway cruiser than a sports sedan (too much body roll) but at the time it was a great combination of speed, comfort, and practicality.
It just so happened that we were big Roush Racing/Scott Pruett fans at the time so it was great seeing them win GTO and TransAm championship with the car (or a facsimile of it).
When we moved back to Ohio the car was garaged winters and well, pretty much always. We had a one car garage so it was trapped in there by two daily drivers most of the time. Over time we became more and more reluctant to drive it. Which adds up to 56,000 miles - just 4000 over the last 8 years. :/
So we learned our lesson about worrying so much about a car that you can't enjoy it. As much as we'd like to keep it around for sentimental reasons it makes no sense. I don't enjoy working on cars and it's hard to justify the operating costs of four cars for two people.
So it's up for sale. I don't expect it to go quickly. While there are a few Merkur enthusiasts out there, the demand for clean, low mileage cars doesn't seem to be enough to push the price much above blue book. But I'm not exactly a motivated seller so we'll see.
Well, the time has finally come to clean out the garage and the ol girl's got to go.
http://www.offcamber.org/cars/merkur/img000.jpeg.medium.jpeg
http://www.offcamber.org/cars/merkur/img001.jpeg.medium.jpeg
This is our '87 Merkur XR4Ti. Another one of Ford's fine orphans. This was just our second brand new car when we bought it new in Florida in 1987. I had a Capri and we both had Fiestas previously so we were thrilled to be able to get a brand new German (sort-of) Ford. These were wonderful cars. These days it feels more like a highway cruiser than a sports sedan (too much body roll) but at the time it was a great combination of speed, comfort, and practicality.
It just so happened that we were big Roush Racing/Scott Pruett fans at the time so it was great seeing them win GTO and TransAm championship with the car (or a facsimile of it).
When we moved back to Ohio the car was garaged winters and well, pretty much always. We had a one car garage so it was trapped in there by two daily drivers most of the time. Over time we became more and more reluctant to drive it. Which adds up to 56,000 miles - just 4000 over the last 8 years. :/
So we learned our lesson about worrying so much about a car that you can't enjoy it. As much as we'd like to keep it around for sentimental reasons it makes no sense. I don't enjoy working on cars and it's hard to justify the operating costs of four cars for two people.
So it's up for sale. I don't expect it to go quickly. While there are a few Merkur enthusiasts out there, the demand for clean, low mileage cars doesn't seem to be enough to push the price much above blue book. But I'm not exactly a motivated seller so we'll see.
I just bluebooked that car, gave it an excellant rating and it still came out at around $1500. Seems like a collector or enthusiast would be willing to go much better than that. You kept it in nice shape. :thumbup:
Spicoli
10-17-06, 07:21 AM
What are you gonna do with your Skynyrd 8 tracks?:gomer:
:runs:
Unless that picture was taken in 87, you've taken extremely good care of this car. :thumbup:
Tifosi24
10-17-06, 09:37 AM
I have always liked those cars, and at least 18 months ago, there was a great deal of demand for the Merkur among folks in North American rally. I would be interested if I knew where I was going to live, but I can't make any important decisions until I have a job. If you aren't averse to your car being disected and turned into a rally car, I would recommend registering at SpecialStage and posting the specifics (If it is a manual of course).
RaceGrrl
10-17-06, 09:49 AM
Richard took those pictures just last week. Seeing how good it looks makes me kind of sad to get rid of the car. If we had a three car garage, we'd want to keep it. It's not worth hanging onto just because we're sentimental about it, though.
racer2c
10-17-06, 09:57 AM
I had an aunt and uncle who had bought one the debut year. They dug it.
How are the seals holding up?
Hmm, my 16 year old is shopping for her first car and said she wants "something different". This is unique. Kinda like that funky wedge shaped Subaru of the same timeframe.
I had an aunt and uncle who had bought one the debut year. They dug it.
How are the seals holding up?
Hmm, my 16 year old is shopping for her first car and said she wants "something different". This is unique. Kinda like that funky wedge shaped Subaru of the same timeframe.
16 yo in a turbo??? :\ :eek:
Geez, that looks to be in great shape, I'd keep it just for something to have a little fun with.
If I had some extra cash around, I'd snag that from you and store it for a few more years until Brit was old enough to drive.
racer2c
10-17-06, 10:50 AM
16 yo in a turbo??? :\ :eek:
I told her she can buy a car but I didn't say she could drive it. ;)
She's actually pretty good driver. She’s a natural in her cousins shifter kart and I have her driving me around town in the Miata (5 speed) with nary a stall. She begs on a daily basis for me to give her the Miata but I'm not budging. It's way too small. Practically like driving a motorcycle in that you have to keep your eye on every car around you and she hasn't developed that type of focus yet.
What are you gonna do with your Skynyrd 8 tracks?:gomer:
Dude. I was on the leading edge of the casette revolution back in the '70s. :tony:
http://i24.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/9f/d7/2a_1.JPG
I always liked those cars while in was in high school/college. :thumbup: Jim Rome is a big fanboy, 2. :laugh: :saywhat:
-Kevin
CART 500
10-17-06, 12:34 PM
Wait till you have to buy parts for it :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
It just so happened that we were big Roush Racing/Scott Pruett fans at the time so it was great seeing them win GTO and TransAm championship with the car (or a facsimile of it).
A good friend of mine was on that crew. He's a big fan of the cars as well.
I totally know what you mean about not enjoying a car because of worrying about it. I did the same thing with my 3rd Gen RX-7 (of course, it was always ready to blow up at a moment's notice!).
Geez, that looks to be in great shape, I'd keep it just for something to have a little fun with.
See that's part of the dilemma. We've got other fun drivers that don't have the baggage of worrying about stone pecks and door dings. It would be nice to just forget it and drive, but we're way past that.
Tifosi24
10-17-06, 01:03 PM
While were on the topic of sweet cars from the 1980s, I saw a cherry Buick Grand National in a grocery parking lot in Dubuque, IA. I haven't seen one of that vintage in years, but as I wasn't driving I couldn't go in for a closer look. Now that is the car you need to get for a 16 year old ;) .
ChampcarShark
10-17-06, 01:14 PM
I haven't seen any of this..
http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B31585.jpg
guess that makes it unique.
I have always liked those cars, and at least 18 months ago, there was a great deal of demand for the Merkur among folks in North American rally. I would be interested if I knew where I was going to live, but I can't make any important decisions until I have a job. If you aren't averse to your car being disected and turned into a rally car, I would recommend registering at SpecialStage and posting the specifics (If it is a manual of course).
I'd hate to see a car like this gutted. Straight, rust free XRs are getting harder to come by but there are still some out there with other issues (interior, dents, etc) that would be better (cheaper) candidates for rally duty.
It's a stick (we've never owned a slushbox) but the original T9 probably wouldn't hold up well to rally duty. A lot of owners (auto and manual) swap in a T5.
RacinM3
10-17-06, 01:52 PM
nrc, there's got to be a place here to advertise it where it will be seen by people with a preference for it. Who knows, with that condition and mileage, it could be their Holy Grail....http://www.merkurdesktop.com/desktop.php
Nice car. I always liked them and felt Ford did a poor marketing/development job with them.
EDIT: A quick scan of the classified shows a low mileage car with a $5k asking price.
EDIT 2: This forum appears to have a good amount of activity...advertise it there...http://forum.merkurclub.net/forum/
datachicane
10-17-06, 01:59 PM
I drooled over that car from your description when we met in Cleveland a few years back. It'd look pretty cool parked next to my early SHO...
Sean O'Gorman
10-17-06, 05:11 PM
nrc, that is a seriously cool car. When I was in Kansas for Solo Nationals there was one of those racing:
http://www.digitalracephotography.com/scca_autocross/06_champ/Solo/026_Thur_4E/images/06_Solo_Thur_4E_113.jpg
Well, the time has finally come to clean out the garage and the ol girl's got to go.
http://www.offcamber.org/cars/merkur/img000.jpeg.medium.jpeg
http://www.offcamber.org/cars/merkur/img001.jpeg.medium.jpeg
This is our '87 Merkur XR4Ti. Another one of Ford's fine orphans. This was just our second brand new car when we bought it new in Florida in 1987. I had a Capri and we both had Fiestas previously so we were thrilled to be able to get a brand new German (sort-of) Ford. These were wonderful cars. These days it feels more like a highway cruiser than a sports sedan (too much body roll) but at the time it was a great combination of speed, comfort, and practicality.
It just so happened that we were big Roush Racing/Scott Pruett fans at the time so it was great seeing them win GTO and TransAm championship with the car (or a facsimile of it).
When we moved back to Ohio the car was garaged winters and well, pretty much always. We had a one car garage so it was trapped in there by two daily drivers most of the time. Over time we became more and more reluctant to drive it. Which adds up to 56,000 miles - just 4000 over the last 8 years. :/
So we learned our lesson about worrying so much about a car that you can't enjoy it. As much as we'd like to keep it around for sentimental reasons it makes no sense. I don't enjoy working on cars and it's hard to justify the operating costs of four cars for two people.
So it's up for sale. I don't expect it to go quickly. While there are a few Merkur enthusiasts out there, the demand for clean, low mileage cars doesn't seem to be enough to push the price much above blue book. But I'm not exactly a motivated seller so we'll see.
Does it have the Cosworth turbo? :confused:
Spicoli
10-17-06, 05:55 PM
Dude. I was on the leading edge of the casette revolution back in the '70s. :tony:
http://i24.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/9f/d7/2a_1.JPG
http://andrew.triumf.ca/novatel-brick.jpg
:thumbup:
Well, I'm conflicted to report that the old girl sold today at a reasonably fair price.
A fellow drove down from Kenosha, Wisconsin this morning with the intention of buying it if everything was as advertised. He seemed pleasantly surprised that the car was exactly as we'd presented it. I guess he's had some bad experiences traveling to buy cars in the past.
He was intending to buy it as a daily driver, but when his wife called and he was telling her what good shape it's in she said, "You're not going to drive this in winter are you?" He said, "Well, once you see it, I'll let you decide."
We're sad to see her go, but very happy that she's going to someone who can appreciate and enjoy her and give her the attention a 20 year old car needs. :( :) :( :)
TravelGal
12-18-06, 02:15 AM
I know how you feel boss. Y'all can have a great guffaw but I felt the same when I gave up my 24 year old Gremlin. Still had original paint, tranny, motor, everything. Power steering was so sensitive I could park it with 3 inches to spare. Sigh. I'm getting nostaglic here. Paid $2800 for it in 1975 and took a $1500 tax deduction in 1999 because it was still my primary ride. It didn't owe me a penny and you can bet I could find it in ANY parking lot. Definitely the retro look. :D
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