Boredom has set in.......

[Choochoochoo]

So I have found myself imagining what the xr would look like if you ditched the hatch, and made it into more of a notch back design.... Could be kinda cool, very expensive to do, but also very unique. What are your thoughts? I figured if you ditched the second set of rear windows, and use the c pillar as a reference point to mount up the rear windows and then work in a trunk...

[dunhamr1]

Would that be grafting a Mustang notch-back onto the Merkur, or all custom? Could be interesting.

[John Brennan]

I think you would succeed in making it look more like the 70's cars which came before it (or even lots of contemporary square-riggers), and that you would deface one of the best examples of space utilization ever designed-- and still unmatched by most of today's cars. The Sierra and its derivatives never cease to amaze me in terms of their utility, aesthetics, the efficacy of their aerodynamics, and the fact that it puts to shame so many excuses by designers who cry about their inability to create substantive interior room and component packaging with RWD without going big on the outside. But, to each his own.

[reddy2300]

Look up a Sierra Sapphire. That's a Sierra (Merkur) with a notchback.

[John Brennan]

Look up a Sierra Sapphire. That's a Sierra (Merkur) with a notchback.

Which, to me, is inferior aesthetically to the three-door... but that's a matter of personal preference. But it was done, and done properly, by the factory. If someone wants the Sapph body style, may I humbly suggest buying one?

[Spaldino]

So I have found myself imagining what the xr would look like if you ditched the hatch, and made it into more of a notch back design.... Could be kinda cool, very expensive to do, but also very unique. What are your thoughts? I figured if you ditched the second set of rear windows, and use the c pillar as a reference point to mount up the rear windows and then work in a trunk...

something like this?

[John Brennan]

Please note that the Sapph is also a four-door, which makes a big difference.

When Brad Anesi here created his "XRBratti" car, he grafted a pickup bed onto his XR4, basically imitating the body style of the Subaru Brat, by removing most of the upper body from the B-Pillar back and putting a box in its place. I would absolutely ask him about what he went through to achieve that, but he ended up creating a car with something useful, to whit, a pickup bed, Ranchero/El Camino/Brat/Aussie "Ute" style, so his car could do something it could not do before.

http://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/viewt ... =37&t=2639

A Mustang Notch can be had with the body style you're thinking of-- you can put a Lima into it, even an IRS from a contemporary Cobra.

If you're into major bodywork mods and this is your thing, and you want to do it just because, why then by all means knock yourself out. History, the Internet, and the dregs of craigslist are littered with many examples of Frankenstein's Monsters. I'd be delighted if you were to prove me wrong.

[mhamilton]

...and Brad is now out looking for a Fox body notchback.

[John Brennan]

...and Brad is now out look for a Fox body notchback.

As in, "BRAD! LOOK OUT! HE'S COMIN' RIGHT FOR 'YA!!!"

[Ghost]

Oh crap.... Here comes Brad with the sawzall and a Pontiac grill!!!

[Choochoochoo]

It was more of just a wonderment. I won't ever have the time, skills, or money to do it. I'm not so concerned about space, it was just kind of a mix between a notch back and a xr. Then you add a wide body to it and it could be interesting...

[sierra_base_model]

[Choochoochoo]

Well now I know! Gotta admit, I kinda dig the notchback..

[cmouta]

woah woah more details about that four eye headlight/grill setup please!!(I'm sure there's tons of info on this one off black and white photo )

[John Brennan]

Well now I know! Gotta admit, I kinda dig the notchback..

Not nearly as bad as I imagined it-- but whoever did this was very good. I wonder what backlight was used, and to what extent clips from which other cars were used?