The 1982 Ford Sierra and it's competitors

[stormee]

They were wrong with the Audi 80CD table, by 115hp it had the same engine as the Passat GL5, namely the 1,9l carb. 5S. Had this in a Coupé once and it was very nice.

[stormee]

They were wrong with the Audi 80CD table, by 115hp it had the same engine as the Passat GL5, namely the 1,9l carb. 5S. Had this in a Coupé once and it was very nice.

[Spiny Norman]

Interesting comparisons, I remember how badly the Sierra was received when it was launched. It looked modern but wasn't, particularly the driving experience, and it handed Vauxhall several years of profitable sales on a plate.

I had a fair bit of experience with them both since my boss went from a Mk5 1.6LS Cortina to a 1.6L Cav saloon, then to a 1.6L Sierra Sapphire and I'd say the Cav was by far the best of the lot.

It was light years ahead of the Cortina (God knows how ancient an Ital must have felt in comparison) in terms of everything to do with driving enjoyment and more economical to boot. The later Sierra saloon felt bigger and far more comfort oriented, but a lot slower, although ours had a fifth gear which the Cav didn't so motorway blasts were a lot easier on the ears, especially with the decent quality of standard fit Ford stereos of the day.

 

I think probably the Audi 80 would have been a better car in many ways, but the 1.6CL version would have been a bit basic and even that was a good £500 dearer. There's no way I'd have considered the Ital or either Chrysler pair at the time, or probably the Mazda, but I'd have looked at the Renault.

[Spiny Norman]

Interesting comparisons, I remember how badly the Sierra was received when it was launched. It looked modern but wasn't, particularly the driving experience, and it handed Vauxhall several years of profitable sales on a plate.

I had a fair bit of experience with them both since my boss went from a Mk5 1.6LS Cortina to a 1.6L Cav saloon, then to a 1.6L Sierra Sapphire and I'd say the Cav was by far the best of the lot.

It was light years ahead of the Cortina (God knows how ancient an Ital must have felt in comparison) in terms of everything to do with driving enjoyment and more economical to boot. The later Sierra saloon felt bigger and far more comfort oriented, but a lot slower, although ours had a fifth gear which the Cav didn't so motorway blasts were a lot easier on the ears, especially with the decent quality of standard fit Ford stereos of the day.

 

I think probably the Audi 80 would have been a better car in many ways, but the 1.6CL version would have been a bit basic and even that was a good £500 dearer. There's no way I'd have considered the Ital or either Chrysler pair at the time, or probably the Mazda, but I'd have looked at the Renault.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Sierras seemed to get worse as the years went by. The original 1600 on a VV carb was like a moon rocket compared to the dismal E Max nonsense. The 1.8 was never up to much and the facelift/Staffires were definitely softened up on the damping to the detriment of handling. The Twin cam engine was just a hound, as was the CVH in the Sierra application. Best all rounder was the original 2.0 Pinto with the 5 speed box, with the injected version being very lively. The XR4x4 2.8i was a great car as well.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Sierras seemed to get worse as the years went by. The original 1600 on a VV carb was like a moon rocket compared to the dismal E Max nonsense. The 1.8 was never up to much and the facelift/Staffires were definitely softened up on the damping to the detriment of handling. The Twin cam engine was just a hound, as was the CVH in the Sierra application. Best all rounder was the original 2.0 Pinto with the 5 speed box, with the injected version being very lively. The XR4x4 2.8i was a great car as well.

[trigger]

One thing that does make me laugh, check that bumper alignment, If i was a customer and saw that I'd be put right off!

 

[trigger]

One thing that does make me laugh, check that bumper alignment, If i was a customer and saw that I'd be put right off!

 

[Junkman]

God knows how ancient an Ital must have felt in comparison

 

Drive a 1.7 or a 2.0 with auto box. You will be surprised.

[Junkman]

God knows how ancient an Ital must have felt in comparison

 

Drive a 1.7 or a 2.0 with auto box. You will be surprised.

[ProgRocker]

One thing that does make me laugh, check that bumper alignment, If i was a customer and saw that I'd be put right off!

 

 

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

[ProgRocker]

One thing that does make me laugh, check that bumper alignment, If i was a customer and saw that I'd be put right off!

 

 

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

[Junkman]

Probably a knocked about example from the pilot series?

 

 

The examples used in the sales brochures appear to have much better fitted parts:

 

 

Oh, and the cars, too.

[Junkman]

Probably a knocked about example from the pilot series?

 

 

The examples used in the sales brochures appear to have much better fitted parts:

 

 

Oh, and the cars, too.

[PhilA]

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

 

Funny how someone paid enough attention to detail to take the wheel trims off and stick them on the right way up, but appeared to have missed that. Either that or this was a really really early production design bumper. It might have been hot off the press, as (lighting notwithstanding) the front bumper seems to be a different shade of grey to the rear. Maybe a hasty redesign, or someone punted that one into something solid?

 

--Phil

[PhilA]

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

 

Funny how someone paid enough attention to detail to take the wheel trims off and stick them on the right way up, but appeared to have missed that. Either that or this was a really really early production design bumper. It might have been hot off the press, as (lighting notwithstanding) the front bumper seems to be a different shade of grey to the rear. Maybe a hasty redesign, or someone punted that one into something solid?

 

--Phil

[pandarus]

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.

 

Great post, Trig.

 

Yes BL were way off the mark when the Sierra came about...

[pandarus]

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.

 

Great post, Trig.

 

Yes BL were way off the mark when the Sierra came about...

[pandarus]

One thing that does make me laugh, check that bumper alignment, If i was a customer and saw that I'd be put right off!

 

 

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

Na, he was in but he got his job at Fiat shortly after where he stayed for the rest of the 80s and all of the 90s...

[pandarus]

One thing that does make me laugh, check that bumper alignment, If i was a customer and saw that I'd be put right off!

 

 

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

Na, he was in but he got his job at Fiat shortly after where he stayed for the rest of the 80s and all of the 90s...

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Probably a knocked about example from the pilot series?

 

 

The examples used in the sales brochures appear to have much better fitted parts:

 

 

Oh, and the cars, too.

 

 

The K on ze plate meanz it vos assembled in Koln, Ja?

 

Dagen Ham Sierras were thrown together really. We came from an E28 525e to a Sierra - the difference is finish and assembly quality was staggering. Today, BMW's and Fords are identical in these respects.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Probably a knocked about example from the pilot series?

 

 

The examples used in the sales brochures appear to have much better fitted parts:

 

 

Oh, and the cars, too.

 

 

The K on ze plate meanz it vos assembled in Koln, Ja?

 

Dagen Ham Sierras were thrown together really. We came from an E28 525e to a Sierra - the difference is finish and assembly quality was staggering. Today, BMW's and Fords are identical in these respects.

[fordperv]

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

 

Funny how someone paid enough attention to detail to take the wheel trims off and stick them on the right way up, but appeared to have missed that. Either that or this was a really really early production design bumper. It might have been hot off the press, as (lighting notwithstanding) the front bumper seems to be a different shade of grey to the rear. Maybe a hasty redesign, or someone punted that one into something solid?

 

--Phil

 

dont know how they wouldve taken the trims off and turned them round as the tyre valves poke through the wheel trim slots (look by the top slot on the wheels) they wouldve either jacked it up and spun the wheel to desired position or it was just an accident that they were in that position lol,

 

the sierra has always been a favourite of mine they drive lovely, i would absolutely love another base spec with drop down mirrors

[fordperv]

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

 

Funny how someone paid enough attention to detail to take the wheel trims off and stick them on the right way up, but appeared to have missed that. Either that or this was a really really early production design bumper. It might have been hot off the press, as (lighting notwithstanding) the front bumper seems to be a different shade of grey to the rear. Maybe a hasty redesign, or someone punted that one into something solid?

 

--Phil

 

dont know how they wouldve taken the trims off and turned them round as the tyre valves poke through the wheel trim slots (look by the top slot on the wheels) they wouldve either jacked it up and spun the wheel to desired position or it was just an accident that they were in that position lol,

 

the sierra has always been a favourite of mine they drive lovely, i would absolutely love another base spec with drop down mirrors

[Spiny Norman]

dont know how they wouldve taken the trims off and turned them round as the tyre valves poke through the wheel trim slots (look by the top slot on the wheels) they wouldve either jacked it up and spun the wheel to desired position or it was just an accident that they were in that position lol,

 

They'll have jacked it up. Photographing cars properly isn't easy. Another trick they used to do before the days of Photoshop was to stuff the insides of the wheelarches with matt black paper in case any of the suspension bits caught a bit of light.

[Spiny Norman]

dont know how they wouldve taken the trims off and turned them round as the tyre valves poke through the wheel trim slots (look by the top slot on the wheels) they wouldve either jacked it up and spun the wheel to desired position or it was just an accident that they were in that position lol,

 

They'll have jacked it up. Photographing cars properly isn't easy. Another trick they used to do before the days of Photoshop was to stuff the insides of the wheelarches with matt black paper in case any of the suspension bits caught a bit of light.

[Junkman]

The K on ze plate meanz it vos assembled in Koln, Ja?

 

Either by Turks in Köln, or by Moroccans in Genk. Ford of Europe is headquartered in Cologne, so the press cars were registered there no matter where they were built.

 

On a differnt note - when the MKII Granadas were phased out, they chucked the last ones out with ridiculous discounts. For a few weeks in 1984, it was cheaper to buy a Granada, than a Sierra. Many people, including my Grandad, took advantage of this.

[Junkman]

The K on ze plate meanz it vos assembled in Koln, Ja?

 

Either by Turks in Köln, or by Moroccans in Genk. Ford of Europe is headquartered in Cologne, so the press cars were registered there no matter where they were built.

 

On a differnt note - when the MKII Granadas were phased out, they chucked the last ones out with ridiculous discounts. For a few weeks in 1984, it was cheaper to buy a Granada, than a Sierra. Many people, including my Grandad, took advantage of this.

[Junkman]

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

 

Funny how someone paid enough attention to detail to take the wheel trims off and stick them on the right way up, but appeared to have missed that. Either that or this was a really really early production design bumper. It might have been hot off the press, as (lighting notwithstanding) the front bumper seems to be a different shade of grey to the rear. Maybe a hasty redesign, or someone punted that one into something solid?

 

--Phil

 

dont know how they wouldve taken the trims off and turned them round as the tyre valves poke through the wheel trim slots (look by the top slot on the wheels) they wouldve either jacked it up and spun the wheel to desired position or it was just an accident that they were in that position lol,

 

the sierra has always been a favourite of mine they drive lovely, i would absolutely love another base spec with drop down mirrors

 

Nothing is left to coincidence in press car shots. My sister worked as a photographer for the BMW PR department after she finished her apprenticeship (after I got her the job ), and can tell the story. The cars were meticulously cleaned inside out, carefully arranged in perspective with the background, jacked up to arrange the wheels, passenger side mirror set at the same angle as the driver's side one, windscreen wipers fettled so both were parallel, and so forth. They even put ballast into the cars to get the 'stance' right. For interior shots, both front seats were adjusted the exact same way, the steering wheel straightened, and even the contol knobs for heaters and stuff arranged to look orderly. They once did some press shots with new E28s on a sandy beach in Italy. The cars were completely mended as described, the wheels fixed with wooden chocks driven between the calipers and discs, then the cars were craned onto the beach to avoid any tracks or footprints. The job was tedious enough to drive her to the brink of distraction.

 

The comparison sheets for the sales people were Ford INTERNAL information. A photo of a car with the bumper hanging on half eight would never have made it into PR material.

[Junkman]

The first cars off a production line usual have very poor fit and finish as I suppose assembly line workers are still getting used to the new processes.

 

Or maybe the Quality Control person was off sick?

 

 

Funny how someone paid enough attention to detail to take the wheel trims off and stick them on the right way up, but appeared to have missed that. Either that or this was a really really early production design bumper. It might have been hot off the press, as (lighting notwithstanding) the front bumper seems to be a different shade of grey to the rear. Maybe a hasty redesign, or someone punted that one into something solid?

 

--Phil

 

dont know how they wouldve taken the trims off and turned them round as the tyre valves poke through the wheel trim slots (look by the top slot on the wheels) they wouldve either jacked it up and spun the wheel to desired position or it was just an accident that they were in that position lol,

 

the sierra has always been a favourite of mine they drive lovely, i would absolutely love another base spec with drop down mirrors

 

Nothing is left to coincidence in press car shots. My sister worked as a photographer for the BMW PR department after she finished her apprenticeship (after I got her the job ), and can tell the story. The cars were meticulously cleaned inside out, carefully arranged in perspective with the background, jacked up to arrange the wheels, passenger side mirror set at the same angle as the driver's side one, windscreen wipers fettled so both were parallel, and so forth. They even put ballast into the cars to get the 'stance' right. For interior shots, both front seats were adjusted the exact same way, the steering wheel straightened, and even the contol knobs for heaters and stuff arranged to look orderly. They once did some press shots with new E28s on a sandy beach in Italy. The cars were completely mended as described, the wheels fixed with wooden chocks driven between the calipers and discs, then the cars were craned onto the beach to avoid any tracks or footprints. The job was tedious enough to drive her to the brink of distraction.

 

The comparison sheets for the sales people were Ford INTERNAL information. A photo of a car with the bumper hanging on half eight would never have made it into PR material.