Y plate Sierra Ghia. A little prang.

[CortinaDave]

The other cool toy it will have is light-up sunvisors. they're so bright that when you switch them on the light utterly obliterates any chance of you seeing your reflection but still cool.

 

Funny when you think in a late cortina ghia all you got was er... a rev counter, plush seats and some wood. A year later a Sierra ghia gave you leccy windows, mirrors, door open graphic, light up visors, footwell lights etc etc.

 

PM me when/if you come to sell this, I have to own a sierra again in 2014

[Guest Tony Hayers]

The other cool toy it will have is light-up sunvisors. they're so bright that when you switch them on the light utterly obliterates any chance of you seeing your reflection but still cool.

 

Funny when you think in a late cortina ghia all you got was er... a rev counter, plush seats and some wood. A year later a Sierra ghia gave you leccy windows, mirrors, door open graphic, light up visors, footwell lights etc etc.

 

I always thought this. The spec change from the outgoing Cortina to Sierra was MASSIVE. Normally Ford do it in reverse - add kit on as a model gets older (boosting showroom appeal) and skimp back spec when the new model is launched.

 

Let's be honest, love it or hate it the Sierra was unbelievable for a Ford in 1982!

[cyruspower]

Epic buy! Can't wait to see the photos.

 

How was the drive back? Is it a head turner?

[trigger]

I don't think he's made it back yet!

[laser wheels]

Don't worry - I'm back! More details to follow, just too tired now. Spent about an hour typing something up then deleted it by accident and needed to go away and have a little cry.

 

Car runs great so far but needs a damn good clean; a couple of issues I will go into later but nothing serious. Other than the drive back from Darlo had a bit of a bimble around town this evening as a bit of a bonding exercise. Felt like a proper old giffer just cruising round doing 25mph at around 1000rpm - the old girl does not like to be hurried!

 

I did take a picture on my 'phone but I'm an idiot and couldn't work out how to get picture from 'phone to compooter. Couple of interesting chod sightings on way home but typically was driving so couldn't get pictures. Sod's law, eh?

[dollywobbler]

I like this thread, in the old fashioned 'writing that I like it instead of clicking a button' way. Look forward to a full report. 

 

Seems a good place to lob in a spot I saw today. A Sierra caravanette! That was on the M6. Again, no camera handy.

[oldford]

Sounds like a cracking car.  That spec of Ghia wasn't around for long, with the stripy Chatsworth seats, wood on the door panels, the 3 vent wheel trims and no filler panel between the rear lights and curiously for the top of the range - no rear wash/wipe.

 

Don't be shy about posting loads of photos.

[trigger]

From July 1983.

 

 

 

[trigger]

Also this is the October 1982 version with the 3 vent wheel trims.

 

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

There used to be a metallic red ex Press car in Darlington. KHK2Y or something and that was a Ghia. Early Sierras are superb - but who would have a Ghia over a black grille base model? We deserve to be told.

[inconsistant]

I remember some launch time Sierra bullshit about the aerodynamics keeping the rear window clean so it didn't need a rear wash wipe.

Or did I wet dream that?

[laser wheels]

I haz pictures!

 

This morning. Bit frosty.

 

 

 

 

Moar in a bit!

[trigger]

Early rear lights and no wiper on a Ghia, the stuff wet dreams are made off!

[laser wheels]

Okay, first things first let's take a run out to the car wash - triple foam with wax, pre-wash, and clean underneath. Only £5.50! Barge!

 

Yes, that's much better, thank you.

 

 

Seriously, this car is still filthy. It looks like it hasn't been washed in years. It has a layer of black sooty road filth on top however I'm sure that underneath it should come up lovely. It's just gonna need some elbow grease.

 

Now for the rusty bits. Externally I have found these.

 

Rear window.

 

 

Frond nearside wing.

 

 

Rear offside wheel arch - other side is much the same.

 

 

And that's it, really. A lot better than my K plater and that had been absolutely pampered all it's life.

[laser wheels]

Trim pr0n.

 

Wheel trimz. Good nick, too.

 

 

Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here? Phwoooaar!!!!1!!!

 

 

Hmmm, this isn't right, is it? Or did Ford actually use Humbrol at one point?

 

 

I don't think this was factory, either.

 

 

I haz wood*!

 

 

Some sticker chod, to finish.

 

[HMC]

Fantastic! Somehow adds to the futuristic look of the early sierra by being in Diamond white, plus those little scabs will be easy to sort and blend in too.

 

Its an advert for that 'Auto Armor' too, whatever it is or was, its worked a treat!

[laser wheels]

From July 1983.

 

9536016901_62a8487483_o.jpg

 

9536010023_1e6045221d_o.jpg

 

9538795416_e55ba9068e_o.jpg

 

 

Thanks for that; interesting to see that there where still some extra options not standard on the Ghia like heated seats. Wonder how many optioned this and if any survive? Also very surprised to see no alloys except on the XR4i. Would have thought they would have been at least an option on the Ghia.

[laser wheels]

EPIC JOURNEY WRITEUP PLEASE!

 

Anyhoo, to keep you going - have a picture of a Sierra Ghia I used to train on when I was studying mechanics at college. Was a proper beast - shame it had to die at the end of the day. Even the graphic equaliser still worked perfectly! Dammit!

 

 

 

That's lovely, that is, But why did it have to die?

[Lord Sterling]

That looks a peach Laser, seriously. I absolutely love these early Sierras, real Sierras in my opinion. One on my list if I ever win the lottery.

 

Does the painwork feel "chalky" at all? If so, it might need a good T-cut and polish. When I had a couple of White Mk1 800s, I had the same problem with the paintwork, they wouldn't clean up, but a good T-Cut and polish session saw it shine up:

 

My old Sterling:

 

Old 820e:

 

Both of these cars' paintworks suffered from 'pitting' which got the paintwork feeling chalky. A bit like Red paintwork when it turns to Pink. T-cut will cut through that to the original colour and polishing it will help protect it, then the £5.50 car wash will really be worth it!

[fordperv]

That looks lovely

[greengartside]

That's lovely, that is, But why did it have to die?

 

It was bought by the college when it had come to the end of it's roadworthiness. Various spotty students pulled bits off it and I put them all back on. Devoted most of my free periods in to fixing her and got her running better than when they bought it. I did try and buy it off the college but by the time I'd gathered enough moolah, they had decided to scrap her! Shame as it wasn't that bad.

 

Anyway, yours looks fab and I definitely would. That does need the DMB Graphics touch re:number plates/dealer sticker etc. Looking forward to seeing her all cleaned up!

[CortinaDave]

The tail lights are absolutely supposed to look like that ! The black ribbing was only on the ghia models - Y and A reg only and now very rare ! I've only ever had one car with them ever.

[rml2345]

That looks mega! Brilliant purchase man, it's really something else and exceptionally solid for a Ford of that age.

[Angrydicky]

Excellent stuff, I can't believe how rare these are now.

 

Get a disklok on it if you haven't already!

[laser wheels]

Excellent stuff, I can't believe how rare these are now.

 

Get a disklok on it if you haven't already!

 

Good idea!

 

 

[inconsistant]

I remember some launch time Sierra bullshit about the aerodynamics keeping the rear window clean so it didn't need a rear wash wipe.

Or did I wet dream that?

 

I found my Ford Sierra launch brochure (Oct 1982) last night. Will try to scan it & post as soon as I get a chance.

And yes, it does say that a benefit of the aerodynamics is that the wind keeps the rear screen clean.

[laser wheels]

I found my Ford Sierra launch brochure (Oct 1982) last night. Will try to scan it & post as soon as I get a chance.

And yes, it does say that a benefit of the aerodynamics is that the wind keeps the rear screen clean.

 

I can confirm that either that isn't completely true or I'm not driving fast enough.

[Stixy]

I can confirm that either that isn't completely true or I'm not driving fast enough.

 

I can confirm it too

the shape just fans the dirty water across the screen  where it sits in the middle

 

Ford knew they had a problem with this and from 85> the fitted deflectors to the rear quarter window rubbers  to break up the airflow  and standardised the rear wash wipe on eveything except base models  

[laser wheels]

Some MOAR pictures from yesterday.

 

Interior is generally in very good condition, just needs a damn good clean. This might have to wait until the Spring at least, lest I get a mouldy interior.

 

 

 

Nice view and comfiest steering wheel EVAH!!11!!1

 

 

Dashboard cracked.

 

 

And this bit is melted.

 

 

And this is broken, too.

 

 

OEM.

 

 

This is cool.

 

 

Glovebox chod.

 

 

Boot chod (actually the boot carpet is really good as well, but again needs a damn good clean).

 

 

HBOL.

 

 

Grabbed a bottle of Redex additive while filling up this morning, and definitely running better now with much better throttle response!

[DVee8]

wow just wow

 

I fecking hated the sierra 2.0is that owned,now they are just wow..