Ford thought there would be a market for additional Ford of Europe imports sold through its Mercury division. So, the Merkur Scorpio was offered in 1988 and 1989. As a 4-door German-built luxury sedan, it was a companion to the sporty XR44Ti that was both turbocharged and fuel-injected. This ’88 example is a one-owner car with low miles and is available because its owners aren’t getting any younger. Located in Metuchen, New Jersey, this rarity is available here on craigslist for $14,999. Mitchell G. has brought us another interesting tip!
Ford/Mercury was looking for a better way to compete against Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and other European sedans in North America. So, the Merkur Scorpio was derived from the Ford Scorpio Mk I. Though the XR4Ti had been around a couple of years before the Scorpio arrived, neither car found a solid footing in the U.S. market. So, after about 22,000 Scorpios were imported over two years, Ford dropped both automobiles and the Merkur brand from its portfolio on this side of the Pond.
We’re told this neat survivor has always been kept in climate-controlled coverage storage when not in use. It’s only traveled 43,000 miles in 35 years, which suggests it saw only occasional outings. It has a 2.9-liter V6 engine, an automatic transmission, and features that were intended to attract Mercedes-Benz owners. The black paint looks good, and the grey interior presents well, too, although perhaps a little wear is reflected in the photos.
The seller has had the air conditioning retrofitted to 21st Century standards, but everything else appears to be original. This vehicle has been detailed since the photos were taken, so supposedly the vehicle will look even better in person now. Finding a M-B or BMW of this vintage is probably easier than finding a Merkur, so why not drive something that everyone else doesn’t have?
May be the best left in the US, but 15K ain’t happening.
Cloth seats and an automatic..looks like the seller is trying to pad their retirement fund with that price.
Since the price is “firm”, then most of us won’t need to bother them with interest. Maybe it’s just me but, before I list a car for any price), I make sure I clean every nook and cranny I can think of. The picture of the gear selector, the emergency brake, etc… looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years. That, to me, always means the car doesn’t smell very nice inside.
Still, it sure was nice to see that one of these still exists somewhere! I always admired its stying (and how much the Mercury Sable at the time mirrored the design).
These are fine, comfortable long-distance cruisers that will pile on the miles without trouble. Or leave many cars for dust if fitted with the 2.9 Cosworth engine and 4×4 that we got in the UK!
Electronic climate control dash panel will fail and the transmission is very weak and will need a rebuild if you start driving it more.
Not to mention the TFI, rod bearings, cooling system, and driveshaft donuts. And, of course, the heater – AC fan! Yes, those were fun times…
These have the weirdest keys, a shaft with nubs on it. You’d think they’d have the same stamped “Ford Family of Fine Cars” keys as a Mustang or F150, but no…
Jaguars have these keys too.
When those keys came out, they were ‘supposedly’ difficult to copy and considered an anti-theft feature.
(At least) UK only ever had the oval Ford logo stamped on car keys – if that even. Many weren’t even stamped and just left blank.
These have (slightly) reclining back seats with massive legroom; you can freely swing a leg over your knee without a care about touching the front seats even incidentally.
Put it on “Bring a Trailer” No Reserve” if your confidant sir.
I looked at a used one of these in 1990. 15,000 miles for $13,500. Great looking and driving car. Had a dent in the roof, that the dealer wouldn’t fix. I walked.
There’s one on BAT and another on FB marketplace for sale:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6521727794616152/?ref=newsfeed
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-merkur-scorpio-2/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2023-11-24
It was known as the ford scorpio in europe and in the uk it was the mk3 guise of the ford granada the scorpio name being used on the top of the range models and the price of that you could probably import 1 from europe for less
I bought one of these in Minneapolis with 43,000 miles for like 3 or 4 thousand in 1994. The car was pretty comfortable on long trips. . . but it was a turd as far as reliability. The climate control module kept going out and at almost $500 a pop, the car went bye bye when it ate the second one. I bought a 3rd unit and dumped the car as I knew it would happen again. Plug and play part the size of half a pack of cigarettes for $500 was a lot of money in 1995. They had potential and liked it while I had it as it was ahead of it’s time with features.
Hi Nater, there is currently one for sale at a CountrysideAusto dealership in Austin, MN with 53K miles on it. Could this one have been yours?