1986 Merkur XR4Ti

Owners: Dennis & Roberta Edwards (Original Owners) Simpsonville, SC

Mileage: 79,000

Car was purchased on NOV 30, 1987, from Gregory Motors located in Salisbury, NC. This Merkur was the last 1986 model received by the dealership. It never sold because the 1987 models arrived at about the same time and the newer models were more attractive to buyers. When I discovered the car in October 1987, (while on a business trip in the area) the �86 XR had been sitting on their lot for over a year! I began negotiating to purchase the car, but the dealer & I never could reach a figure that we could both live with. Several weeks later, while on another business trip, I had to spend the night in the New England area and checked into a local hotel. A Merkur XR4Ti was in the hotel lot outside and I walked around the car. I called Gregory Motors and made one last offer to purchase. The salesman agreed and the �86 model was mine! Purchase price was $14,350. Sticker window price was $19,388. Imagine my anxiety when I realized that I still had to call Roberta to let her know that I was okay & that �we� had just purchased a new car from a dealer in Salisbury, NC!

Features: Diamond White Exterior with Charcoal Cladding / Gray Leather Interior / C3 Automatic Transmission / Tilt & Sliding Screened Moonroof / Convenience Group including Power Windows & Central Locking System

Usage: Car has been primarily a recreational vehicle and typically is stored in the garage. For the past 5-yr period, it has been an airport car. Car is driven to Greenville/Spartanburg airport and parked in a covered garage for 5 days. What a life!

Appearance: Car is stock. Paint is original. Painted cast aluminum �rotary phone dial� wheels are stock for 1985/1986 models. Tires (P195/60HR-14) have been changed from Pirelli�s to Dunlop�s. Ford replaced interior leather on recall notice MAY/89. In 1991, dealer installed a new 1989 model dash & �A� pillar interior moldings (we only paid for labor!). Stereo cassette player was replaced in 1992; speakers upgraded in 1998 (rear) & 2000 (front).

Costs: Average Operating Cost = $0.165/mile; low = $0.058/mile (1988); high = $0.728/mile (2003)

Mileage: Average Fuel Mileage = 18.7 mpg; low = 16.4 mpg (1997); high = 20.6 (1993)

Operating Cost Highlights:

1989 - new battery ($45.14) / low coolant sensor ($27.32)
1990 - fuel pump relay ($18.38) / new tires ($365.50) / high pressure �in-line� fuel pump ($219.78)
1991 - new 1989 dash panel & �A� pillar trims ($80.00) / front brake pads ($26.31)
1992 - new battery ($48.38) / Clarion cassette player ($232.95)
1993 - new coolant expansion tank ($45.00) / 2 tires ($119.67)
1995 - new battery ($96.38) / heater hose kit ($103.32)
1996 - 2 tires ($150.28) / rear hatch lock assembly ($59.71)
1997 - A/C overhaul ($787.17) / transmission front seal ($259.94) / ignition module ($36.44)
1998 - hatch lift supports ($47.98) / power antenna ($52.88) / Clarion rear speakers ($49.95)
1999 - oxygen sensor ($22.99)
2000 - K&N air filter ($26.41) / Clarion front speakers ($31.46)
2001 - new battery ($61.99) / power antenna ($53.99)
2002 - Ford turbo flex inlet hose ($89.51) / 3 bulbs for Clarion stereo cassette ($65.75) / 2 tires ($212.92)
2003 - A/C conversion to R134 ($610.87) / Borla �cat-back� single exhaust ($336.67) / driver side upholstery ($680.00)
2004 � 2 tires ($127.03) / SS Brake Lines ($92.45) / BAT hose kit ($199.50) / repaired & repainted front grill ($250.00)

Awards:

1) 2000 Euro Auto Festival
� 2nd place - Merkur
2) 2001 All Ford Nationals @ Carlisle
� 1st place - 1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock Class (Carlisle Award)
� 2nd place - 1985/1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock Class (MCA Award)
3) 2001 Euro Auto Festival
� 1st Place - Merkur
� �Crowd Pleaser� - Merkur Concours
4) 2002 All Ford Nationals @ Carlisle
� �Best in Show� - 1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock Class (MCA Award)
5) 2002 Euro Auto Festival
� 1st Place - Merkur
6) 2003 All Ford Nationals @ Carlisle
� �Best in Show� - 1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock Class (MCA Award)
� 1st Place - 1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock Class (Carlisle Award)
7) 2003 Euro Auto Festival
� 1st Place - Merkur
� �Crowd Pleaser� - Merkur Concours
8) 2004 Euro Auto Festival
� 1st Place - Merkur
� �Crowd Pleaser� - Merkur Concours
9) 2005 All Ford Nationals @ Carlisle
� 3rd Place - 1986 Merkur XR4Ti Stock Class (Carlisle Award)
10) 2005 Euro Auto Festival
� 1st Place - Merkur

Shot above left is award ceremony at 2001 All Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA. Shot above right is from showfield at 2003 Euro Auto Festival in Upstate SC.