The 1982 Ford Sierra and it's competitors

[trigger]

Sorry for being a bit photo heavy here, but a long while back I bought a 1982 Ford Sierra dealer folder which was used by Ford dealers to help the sales team learn about the new model, one of the sections is about the Sierra and it nearest competitors which makes for pretty interesting reading, I thought I'd share with you guys.

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (1) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (2) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (3) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (4) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (5) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (6) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (7) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 ( by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (9) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[trigger]

Sorry for being a bit photo heavy here, but a long while back I bought a 1982 Ford Sierra dealer folder which was used by Ford dealers to help the sales team learn about the new model, one of the sections is about the Sierra and it nearest competitors which makes for pretty interesting reading, I thought I'd share with you guys.

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (1) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (2) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (3) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (4) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (5) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (6) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (7) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 ( by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (9) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[trigger]

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (10) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (11) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (12) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (13) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (14) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (15) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (16) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (17) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (18) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (19) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (20) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[trigger]

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (10) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (11) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (12) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (13) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (14) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (15) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (16) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (17) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (18) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (19) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (20) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[trigger]

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (21) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (22) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (23) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (24) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (25) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (26) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (27) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[trigger]

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (21) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (22) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (23) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (24) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (25) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (26) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Ford Dealer Sierra Competitive Comparisons Fact List 1982 (27) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[oman5]

Hmm. The proof of the pudding was in the eating. on paper the sierra measures up well, but I always felt that the cav did a lot more with what it had than the sierra.

In real world driving they were quicker, more economical and handled better. which was why all the big fleets instantly went to Vauxhall.

Once people got used to the aero shape, the sierra did well enough but I can remember how much people hated it at the time, everyone was still in love with the Cortina. Ford really had their work cut out trying to sell sierras in the early days.

(did they really see the ambassador and Ital as serious competitors?)

[oman5]

Hmm. The proof of the pudding was in the eating. on paper the sierra measures up well, but I always felt that the cav did a lot more with what it had than the sierra.

In real world driving they were quicker, more economical and handled better. which was why all the big fleets instantly went to Vauxhall.

Once people got used to the aero shape, the sierra did well enough but I can remember how much people hated it at the time, everyone was still in love with the Cortina. Ford really had their work cut out trying to sell sierras in the early days.

(did they really see the ambassador and Ital as serious competitors?)

[vulgalour]

Makes sense to see the Ital and Ambassador as competitors in the UK market as people were still brand loyal to BL at the time and wouldn't entertain the idea of a Ford over what was, essentially, still considered to be an Austin. I would question the Ambassador's weakness of less interior space; having been in both an Ambassador and a Sierra the Ambassador certainly feels like it has more space and uses it better than the Sierra hatch or saloon did. Everything else is correct, obviously. The Sierra isn't a bad car at all, far from it, but they did always have that Ford sogginess about the suspension that didn't inspire confidence in handling or really offer much satisfaction when it came to comfort, personally speaking of course.

[vulgalour]

Makes sense to see the Ital and Ambassador as competitors in the UK market as people were still brand loyal to BL at the time and wouldn't entertain the idea of a Ford over what was, essentially, still considered to be an Austin. I would question the Ambassador's weakness of less interior space; having been in both an Ambassador and a Sierra the Ambassador certainly feels like it has more space and uses it better than the Sierra hatch or saloon did. Everything else is correct, obviously. The Sierra isn't a bad car at all, far from it, but they did always have that Ford sogginess about the suspension that didn't inspire confidence in handling or really offer much satisfaction when it came to comfort, personally speaking of course.

[Alexg]

The Sierra looks to be from a different time, it's so much more modern looking than the competitors. I'm surprised Ford held back with the 'Sierra Advantages', car's like the Ital especially were well off the pace.

 

Thanks for posting Trig.

[Alexg]

The Sierra looks to be from a different time, it's so much more modern looking than the competitors. I'm surprised Ford held back with the 'Sierra Advantages', car's like the Ital especially were well off the pace.

 

Thanks for posting Trig.

[bigstraight6]

Great stuff, I well remember when I first saw the Sierra in '82 how modern it looked in comparison to the outgoing Cortina but it looks ancient now!

[bigstraight6]

Great stuff, I well remember when I first saw the Sierra in '82 how modern it looked in comparison to the outgoing Cortina but it looks ancient now!

[CortinaDave]

Aye the cavalier was overall the better car. Better economy and (in my experience) more robust mechanically, although they did rust like A BASTARD. Early sierras ( the german built ones anyway) seemed to last a lot longer before the tinworm ate them alive. By C reg though Sierras had joined the made out of tinfoil club.

 

Ital/ambassador etc were dinosaurs by 82.

[CortinaDave]

Aye the cavalier was overall the better car. Better economy and (in my experience) more robust mechanically, although they did rust like A BASTARD. Early sierras ( the german built ones anyway) seemed to last a lot longer before the tinworm ate them alive. By C reg though Sierras had joined the made out of tinfoil club.

 

Ital/ambassador etc were dinosaurs by 82.

[Mr Lobster]

Interesting stuff, ta for scanning.

 

The Ital does look very dated and out of place compared to everything else though and odd to think that back then an Audi was just another family sized saloon rather than a status symbol for badge snobs as seems to be the case today.

[Mr Lobster]

Interesting stuff, ta for scanning.

 

The Ital does look very dated and out of place compared to everything else though and odd to think that back then an Audi was just another family sized saloon rather than a status symbol for badge snobs as seems to be the case today.

[oldford]

I remember driving a 1.6 rental Sierra to Colchester and an hour later doing the same in a 1.6 Cavalier. The Cavalier seemed more modern, quicker but with more road noise, still preferred the Sierra though.

[oldford]

I remember driving a 1.6 rental Sierra to Colchester and an hour later doing the same in a 1.6 Cavalier. The Cavalier seemed more modern, quicker but with more road noise, still preferred the Sierra though.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Thanks for posting these, they're great! I used to have the dealer binder for the Escort Estate and Sierra XR4i, but it wasn't as good as this.

 

The Sierra looks to be from a different time, it's so much more modern looking than the competitors. I'm surprised Ford held back with the 'Sierra Advantages', car's like the Ital especially were well off the pace.

Doesn't the Ital look just terrible among that company? Sierra advantages: Doesn't look like a relic from another age.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Thanks for posting these, they're great! I used to have the dealer binder for the Escort Estate and Sierra XR4i, but it wasn't as good as this.

 

The Sierra looks to be from a different time, it's so much more modern looking than the competitors. I'm surprised Ford held back with the 'Sierra Advantages', car's like the Ital especially were well off the pace.

Doesn't the Ital look just terrible among that company? Sierra advantages: Doesn't look like a relic from another age.

[ProgRocker]

Surprised to see the Audi 80 featured given it's premium credentials.

 

Not sure whay the Ital is there - with it's chassis dating back to the 1950s. Ambassador much more credible BL rival.

 

The Mazda 626 looks damn good in that company. I love a car with a velour seat trim.

[ProgRocker]

Surprised to see the Audi 80 featured given it's premium credentials.

 

Not sure whay the Ital is there - with it's chassis dating back to the 1950s. Ambassador much more credible BL rival.

 

The Mazda 626 looks damn good in that company. I love a car with a velour seat trim.

[Guest]

The Amclassador is the pick for me there.

 

A good thread, ta.

[Guest]

The Amclassador is the pick for me there.

 

A good thread, ta.

[Junkman]

The only car of the bunch I'd consider buying is the Ital. This hasn't changed in 31 years.

[Junkman]

The only car of the bunch I'd consider buying is the Ital. This hasn't changed in 31 years.

[andrew e]

Great stuff Trigger, as they say you can take the boy out of Essex but you can't take the Essex out of the boy!

[andrew e]

Great stuff Trigger, as they say you can take the boy out of Essex but you can't take the Essex out of the boy!