An ex-Eggenberger Group A Ford Merkur XR4Ti, which was a race winner in the 1986 European Touring Car Championship, Spa 24 Hours finisher (pictured below) and is one of only two examples ever built, has been fully restored by CNC Motorsport AWS.
The Merkur XR4Ti (featured), with its chassis built by the Swiss Ford-supported team, played a vital role in developing one of the most successful touring cars, the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth and RS500. And thanks to CNC Motorsport AWS, one of them is ready to race once again.
The car in question has a storied past. After its European Touring Car Championship campaign with Steve Soper and Klaus Niedzwiedz had concluded, it was shipped to New Zealand for Soper and Neville Crichton to race in the Wellington Street Race, finishing fourth.
Whilst waiting for a Sierra Cosworth Crichton opted to purchase the car to race in the Nissan Mobil races in the country before taking it to race in the Shell Ultra Touring Car Championship in Australia. Here it was ultimately upgraded to full RS500 specification with a new drivetrain, suspension and rear quarters. Later, owned by Mark Petch, it raced in the TraNZam series. Before its return to the UK, it was fitted with the correct XR4Ti panels before its full restoration by the team behind the Rouse Continuation RS500 cars, CNC Motorsport AWS.
This involved a full body restoration and fresh, in-house 340bhp, 2.3 litre Merkur engine with just test miles completed to date. The roll cage was remanufactured by CNC Motorsport AWS to the correct 1986 design. Now ready to race, the car has the correct and original Group A Eggenberger specification suspension and rare Getrag ‘long’ bell housing. Other original parts include Bilstein dampers, AP racing callipers and 17” BBS wheels along with a brand new FIA-approved fuel cell. CNC Motorsport AWS’ attention to detail and aim to build period specification cars ensures it will be sold complete with FIA HTP papers and will be eligible for high profile racing events throughout the UK and Europe. These include an invitation for Peter Auto HTC alongside Motor Racing Legends.
“This is possibly one of the most significant cars of the Group A touring car era,” says Alan Strachan who has painstakingly restored the car over the past four years. “Without the Merkurs, the Sierra Cosworth may not have endured the success they did. This is a fascinating car, driven by some of the biggest names of the time and comes with an extensive history of its time in New Zealand including pictures, race reports and period spare body panels. We also can offer an additional spares package and support with running the car.”
This fine example is available now. Enquiries should be made via info@cncmotorsport.com
