Ford's facelifted Sierra estate oozes Ghia style in this very pleasing replica

PRICE: £26.99
REF: CLC352
SCALE: 1/43

Ford's Sierra was created as a replacement for the Cortina and Taunus models. The mid- to large-size family car was built by Ford Europe from 1982 to 1993 and was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément.

The Sierra was first unveiled on 22 September 1982 at the British International Motor Show, at the NEC in Birmingham, and was shown again a week later at the Salon de l'Automobile in Paris, going on sale to the public the following month.

Sales in the UK were a little slow to begin with, as there was still a fair number of older Cortinas that needed to be shifted, so were being heavily discounted. There was also the fat that the more rounded styling was quite a different look the more boxy, but accepted appearance of its predecessor. This soon changed in 1983 and it quickly became Ford's second-best seller, behind the Escort. The design was restyled for the 1988 model year, and this is the version that Ixo has chosen to replicate for this release - with the choice of estate adding to it too.

Ixo's lovely diecast replica models a later incarnation of the  more luxuriously-appointed Ghia, with a revised front end, but still with the more attractive front light arrangement. The model depicts a left-hand-drive version and looks like it is sitting in a dealer showroom, ready to attract potential new owners, with its generic "Sierra" sales 'registration' plates to the front and rear.

Body shape is excellent, particularly to the compound curves around the tailgate, and the light lenses look very realistic too, at both the front and the rear. Wheels and tyres are very accurately rendered and the fine pinstriping to either side of the body is a lovely touch, as are the roof bars and sunroof.

All in all, it's a really lovely replica, and very keenly priced too, representing excellent value and making it a must-have for classic Ford and 1980s collectors alike.