Venezuelan Sierra with "Custom" grille

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:48 am

And it's for sale!!!

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ve/MLV ... ano-86-_JM

Post by **merkurdriver** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:34 am

OK, obviously the grille is horrible, but it has large rear side glass and what looks to be the US Merkur front bumper on it??

AnHonestCitizen · Post by **AnHonestCitizen** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:06 pm

Check out the shifter in the second photo. Looks like it's for a 4-speed auto tranny. It's a six cylinder, too. Could it be a 2.9 or 2.8 with an A4LD?

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:41 pm

merkurdriver wrote:OK, obviously the grille is horrible, but it has large rear side glass and what looks to be the US Merkur front bumper on it??

I'm thinking it might just be that the rear window is open, giving the appearance of being larger than it is. From the little a know about the S.A. cars, I don't think they ever got the "big window".

As to the front bumper, yea, it looks like the "Merkur bumper". Here's another one here:

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ve/MLV ... ano-86-_JM

But then look here. Two more examples, also '86's, with a different front bumper. They also got the vented front grille, so maybe there was an "appearance package" that came with a different bumper.

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ve/MLV ... 280-ls-_JM
http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ve/MLV ... ano-86-_JM

Texranger · Post by **Texranger** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:05 pm

The first link Brad put is a big rear window Sierra. Venezuelans also got the Mk2 3 door Sierras with the big rear window and euro style bumper (shorter); they show up for sale every 3-4 weeks...
They got V6 2.8 (a few 2.9) & 2.3 I4 carb'ed versions.

Here's another link to a big rear window 3 door Sierra GT280 in Venezuela:
http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ve/MLV-5936735-_JM

If you click on the pics they will open in better resolution; check out the XR4TI rear badge!

Peru also got the MK2 Sierra big rear window and shorter bumper:
http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.pe/MPE ... o-full-_JM
$2000.- nice car, nice interior;

Maybe Eric can get in touch with the owner and get it shipped overhere!!!!

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:48 pm

I stand corrected then - thanks.

Somewhat oddly, the whole South American Sierra thing seems to be a giant mystery, as far as details go. Seems we can all site chapter and verse on all the various Sierras sold in Europe, but South America is a different story. Here's the extent of what Wikipedia offers...

South America
In South America, the Sierra was produced in Argentina and Venezuela. In Argentina, it was offered in three and five-door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles. The facelifted post-1987 model was built in Venezuela, but not in Argentina, where the range continued with a Merkur XR4Ti-like grille until 1992, when it was replaced by the Volkswagen Santana-based Galaxy. The 1.6 L and the 2.3 L engines were offered in GL, Ghia, and XR4 trims (three-door only). The station wagon was called the Sierra Rural Ã¢â‚¬â€

fastmaul · Post by **fastmaul** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 3:48 pm

Brad,
I would think cause everyone at first wanted to know about the holy grail that's known as the RS Cosworth.. who the hell wants to know about same crap we (kinda have here) LOL. Now, though, I think everyone is more accepting to other "Sierra's" and want to know about them too.

Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:39 am

No doubt, I'm sure part of the draw to the Euro Sierras in general is the presence of the Cosworth versions. But it just strikes me as odd that there's such a dearth of knowledge of the S.A. versions. I know it's only within the past year or two that I became aware of the fact that the cars were actually BUILT there, and Mk I production continued for FIVE YEARS after it was stopped in Europe. I realize that may not be as unusual as it sounds (to an American) - as an example, VW bug production continued in Mexico until the 90's, 20-something years after it was halted elsewhere.

Freejack · Post by **Freejack** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:00 pm

Texranger wrote:Peru also got the MK2 Sierra big rear window and shorter bumper:
http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.pe/MPE ... o-full-_JM
$2000.- nice car, nice interior;

I'd be curious about this bumper, looks like it is almost aftermarket. Might make a good alternate to our park bench.

Jake