A MCA PUBLICATION
Merkur Happenings 2000
Fall Edition Volume 1, Issue 3 October 15, 2000
New Challenges Ahead for MCA Inside this issue: Challenges 1 Membership Membership Grows 1 MCA Information 2 It is nearing the end of the This will include more topi- bers. first year in the new millen- cal subjects and activating Web Site Volunteers 3 nium. Only a few more the Members Only Section. The planning cycle for Car- Suggestions Required 3 months and year lisle 2001 also is about to be- Thank You 4 2001 will be How- gin. Those who can devote Madsen, Marshall & Clarke 5 with us, hope- ever, their time are requested to fully without your assist in planning and staging Awards & Prizes 7 any of the fuss Board events and selecting the BBQ Prizes 8 concerning the of proper facilities to make the MCA Application 9 millennium cri- Direc- upcoming Carlisle the best Sponsors 10 sis. This is our tors ever. third edition of a can- newsletter that not do Don’t stand back and assume many never thought would the job by themselves. We someone else will do the happen. need volunteers to supply work. We need each and eve- editorial and pictorial con- ryone of you to help us grow The Merkur Club of America tent and volunteers who can and become better. is alive and growing. We feel help manage and operate the MCA Facts confidant that membership club website. No one said it Please let your Directors will continue to support us as would be easy, but it has be- know where you can be of · Members reside in 21 we continue with our growing come an onerous task with- assistance. E-mail them di- states and Canada. pains. You will be seeing ma- out the involvement and as- rectly from our website or · Canadian members jor changes to the website. sistance of other club mem- contact them individually. live in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Membership Exceeds 100— · New Jersey has the most members with Tops Year End Goal 14 · Pennsylvania has 11 The membership of In fact we with 21 foun- members MCA has continued to have suc- ders, we have grow throughout the ceeded and seen member- · 25% of our members year. Many of us re- look for- ship grow to live west of the Mis- sissippi River member when the Club ward to an over 100 dues was just an idea and even better paying mem- many people in the 2nd year. bers. This has Merkur community did been a pleasant not want us to succeed. Starting (Continued Page 3) PAGE 1 MERKUR HAPPENINGS 2000
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY MERKUR CLUB AMERICA (MCA), INC. 130 Pennhurst Road, Spring City, Pennsylvania 19475 www.MERKURCLUB.com. M e
MISSION STATEMENT: The Merkur Club of America was founded as a nationwide, independent association of owners and enthu- siasts, dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the Merkur Scorpio and XR4Ti.
The goal of the club is to provide Merkur owners with the opportunity to participate in organized events throughout the year. Our schedule of events will include car shows, autocross, track, rally (fun rides), swap meets and social events.
These events will be designed to promote camaraderie, family involvement and technical support to our members, and to educate the general public on the unique styling and performance qualities of the Merkur marque.
Our personality will develop over the coming year.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Saul Rivkin President & Director of Finance Dave Compton Director of Technology Rich Franco Director of Communication Paul West Director of Member Services Dave Ziminski Director of Event Coordination
NON-BOARD RESPONSIBILITY: Rick Byrnes Ambassador at Large Phil Dorsey Merchandising Manager Jay Ertl Ford Lincoln-Mercury Dealership Liaison Allan Slocum West Coast Coordinator Dave Weiner Newsletter Editor and Vendor Representative
FOUNDING MEMBERS: Brad Anesi Ben Buemi Rick Byrnes Alex Chaney Dave Compton Phil Dorsey Jay Ertl Kate Ertl Rich Franco Nick Mannarino Scott Miller Don Paluh Saul Rivkin George Schults Allan Slocum Cliff Walton Dave Weiner Elaine Weiner Paul West Dave Ziminski Eve Ziminski VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 1
Merkur Happenings 2000
Membership Exceeds 100 continued Surprise to your Board of Directors We are not a one state club by any Steve Munk! and special means. New commenda- State Representation Jersey has the The various charts pictorially depict tion must go most members MCA membership. Further infor- to Paul followed by mation is available through Paul West , Direc- 42% Pennsylvania West or Dave Weiner. tor of Mem- with 11, 58% ber Services, Virginia Membership Distribution for his role in with 8, helping us Ohio Members Non-Members achieve this with 6, 17% level of New 33% membership. Contrary to the mis- York with 6, California with 13% taken opinion of non-members, 6, and Canada with 5. your fellow Club members are from 6% 10% 21 states and Canada. The 21 One of your fellow members 7% 7% 7% states represent 41% of our total lives in Alaska and won the states. award for longest travel dis- tance at Carlisle—way to go New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Ohio New York California Canada Other
MCA Needs Volunteers for Web Site Support
MCA needs consuming job. It is not not continue due to a change of volunteers a task that one person work responsibilities. Remember specifically can properly per- even your with web form, although Dave Directors page skills. Compton, pictured need to sup- This includes with one of his cars, port them- design, link- has provided extra selves. ing, hosting, ordinary skill and and the like time to launch the So let us type skills. website and con- know how tinue its operation. you can help shoulder some of the The opera- workload to continue the success of tion of the website is a very time But Dave’s superhuman efforts can MCA.
Carlisle 2001 Suggestions Requested / Required This is your chance to contribute to antee that suggestions can be im- ber. Please follow the instructions the planning for Carlisle 2001. We plemented, we will endeavor to pre- for registering and post your mes- ask for your input, regardless of if sent the best suggestions to the sage. Also take the time to peruse you did or didn't attend, to recom- Carlisle Planning Committee. our website if you have not been mend how we can make this a big- there before. ger and more fun event for the Please use "The Wall" section of Merkur community. Let us know the MCA website, http://www. For those who find it easier please what worked, what didn't work, or merkurclub.com to post sugges- send a response to me, Dave anything you'd like to see be done tions. The website is available to all, Weiner, [email protected]. differently. While we cannot guar- you do not need to be a MCA mem- PAGE 1
Merkur Happenings 2000 Terry Watson’s Rapido Stage IV XR4Ti
I bought my first XR4Ti (an '89 Off to Laguna Seca with street tires then there would be all the installa- auto) from some friends who & a stock suspension. What a tion fun, and rear gear ratios head- were the original owners (this blast! Now I am really hooked! aches, etc. Knowing that this would was their second XR4). I had be a major undertaking, and I would just rear-ended someone with my After the Laguna Seca trip, up- be notching up the daily driver an- rare 1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 grades began. Rapido IC, Rapido other level, I thought I could probably Touring Spider (one of 4000 suspension & Konis, Cossie grill & buy a 5-speed car for about the made, about 200 still running). hood vent, rear disk brakes, racing same price as the transmission tires, 15x7 wheels, etc. Back to swap. This would be a lot less pain- I was having a bad day to say the Laguna Seca for another Alfa club ful, and I could get to the bottom line least, and thought that it would event. faster perhaps. So, I began to watch make sense to get a "practical" the "for sales" and searching the car, since my other car is a 1972 Much more competitive, even with internet sites for possible cars. Datsun 240Z converted to a Fer- the auto tranny I am passing rari GTO replica, and a four- bunches of people, until a tire wall An interesting thing occurred. Some- seater, low-profile car could have ran into me at 60 mph or so! It did one posted a message about a car its merits. I knew nothing about a real number on the passenger for sale in Alabama with an awful lot XR4's except Jack & Lyn had side of the car, but was really all of good stuff done to it. He wanted one for sale with 70,000 miles, sheet metal damage. Got it all to know if the price was too much or and they keep their cars in im- fixed, and then to Willow Springs okay. I responded that it sounded peccable condition. like it was a fair price, but One call to them entirely too much car for resulted in them him (jokingly), and that he driving it down that should pass on the deal and day from Pasa- let me have it. Several dena, CA. months passed, and then I got an email from the guy I gave them a saying that the car was still check, no test for sale and he wasn't going drive, no questions to buy it. He gave me the asked (we are information on how to con- long –time friends, for a Time Trial event where I did tact the seller, who was a and I had driven the car around terrible! Willow is a fast track doctor in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. At the block a few weeks earlier). where you are in 4th most of the that time, I also got a complete list of time, with a few short blips into 3rd all the modifications done on the car, Now that I had a "practical" car or 5th. You don't need much brak- and that it might have been owned that seemed to be fun to drive, I ing there, but you do need gears by Rapido at one time. I was able to signed up for a driving school and power. This resulted in seri- confirm that it was indeed purchased with the local Alfa Romeo club at ous consideration of a 5-speed from Rapido, and Russ was able to Willow Springs Race Track. swap. If you are still wondering fill in some more info about the car. Well, the bug then bit! A month about the Rapido Stage IV car. It The car was one of his original de- later, the club was holding a Time is coming soon. velopment cars, and was featured in Trials event at Laguna Seca a number of car magazine articles. Race Track in Monterey, CA. A 5-speed swap did not appear to The car was billed as a "Rapido Now, this is where they hold all be a trivial thing to do. Thanks to Stage IV XR4Ti", and also referred to kinds of races, including the ma- the IMON list, there was a lot of as the "Darth Vader" XR4Ti, as is jor historics along with the annual info out there, but also a lot of peo- mono black with tinted windows and Concours at Pebble Beach. I ple fighting vibration problems, and tinted headlight covers. The car only thought, why not do this? You obtaining the right parts, or having had 50,000 miles on the odometer. don't get a chance to drive to have them made, etc. A call to around a famous track very often, Rapido said that about $3,000 (Continued Page 5) and I'm not getting any younger. would get me a lot of stuff, and PAGE 1 MERKUR HAPPENINGS 2000
As luck would have it, I had been Resetting it cures the problem! haust and T3/T4 turbo waiting to traveling to Huntsville, Alabama a Now I have a running XR4Ti, so off go on it. lot for business, but that had for a test drive over to Allan stopped. However, I had a guy Slocum's house. There is also a head sitting in my working there for me (Jim) who is a garage waiting to have big valves car enthusiast, and one of the cus- The car is running lousy! I am de- installed and a roller cam. I have tomer people I knew there (Sam) pressed! It was running fine in Ala- the EEC Tuner installed, comple- was also a car enthusiast who had bama, so it had to be simple. ments of Randy Schiltz, but have a brother with a car dealership. Jim Allan's is only a few minutes away, not tweeked the PE computer yet. graciously offered to drive 2 hours so I limped over there, and we dis- A couple other mods included a to Tuscaloosa on a rainy Saturday cover that the lower intercooler grey leather Recaro driving seat, a to test-drive and photograph the connector has come loose, proba- dual gage pod on the A-pillar, and car. I gave him a list of things to bly got scraped when loading & a Hot Lap timer. There is probably check, and off he went. He called unloading the car from the trucks. more, I just don't remember it all me from the doctor's house and Snugged it up, and we were back sometimes! said the car was basically as ad- in business! vertised, but was neutral about it I have taken the car to Willow (probably the only way he could Now, this is not to say the car was Springs twice now, and once to have been, really). I struck a deal perfect. Over the next few months, Laguna Seca. The times are obvi- with the doctor over the phone and I brought a lot of things back into ously up from the times I turned in sent him a check. Sam put me in spec, and un-fixed a lot of strange the 89 auto, but surprisingly, not contact with a car hauler, and things on the car. Some mighty terribly different at Laguna Seca. shortly thereafter, the car was on strange mechanics must have First trip to Willow the car got a lit- its way to Los Angeles. Now, my worked on it! Obvious things were tle loose a few times in a left-hand girlfriend is thinking I am totally the fact that three wheels were turn going up a hill, which I didn't nuts, buying a second XR4Ti, 15x7, and one was 15x6. There really understand until I went to again without a test drive! were lots of little electrical bugs adjust the rear shocks. due mostly to corrosion on con- Well, I finally get a call saying the tacts, and instances of wrong parts The right rear shock had no damp- car is in LA. Great! The bad news being installed. I think the doctor ing at all for about half its stroke, is that they can't get it started, and "drove it hard and put it away wet" then froze solid (I now am familiar they are informing me this so I will more than once or twice! with the handling of an XR4 with a be aware of this fact when I go to rigid link in place of a right rear pick the car up. I remind them I What have I done with the car so shock!). Replacing the shock im- paid for a door to door delivery. I far? To begin with, the car was mediately cured that problem. also inform them that the car was pretty nicely equipped. 1985, T-5 Both XR's exhibited a bit of "lift driven on to the truck in Alabama, installed, Rapido's suspension and throttle-induced over-steer", which and they have had it the whole Konis, Rapido's SVO Plus kit, Cos- can be a lot of fun sometimes (you time. I haven't a clue why it won't sie grill and genuine RS whale tail. just back off the throttle some in a start, and tell them not to mess I added rear disk brakes (Rapido turn and the back end comes with it. Just deliver it! may not have developed their kit around a bit until you are headed before Russ sold it), and have re- where you want to go, then you put It shows up at my house a day cently installed a Modern Perform- your foot down and the rear end later on a flatbed, and of course, ance intercooler. I also added an hooks right back up). won't start. I check a number of OMP front strut bar and a "Home things, but no luck. This is after I Depot" rear strut bar, urethane Terry has continued working on hook up the turbo outlet hose, trailing arm bushings (most of the and modifying his vehicle. He has which they have removed to spray rest were already done by Rapido), since gone to Willow Springs and starter fluid into the throttle body, added a set of 5-point harnesses, other track events like many of and after I charge the battery, Ric Gillis's adjustable boost con- your fellow Merkur owners. which they have depleted in vain troller, 15x7 Wolfrace wheels from attempts to start the car. I remem- Bill Cobb, David Godfrey's big front We would like to thank Terry Wat- ber the trunk impact switch, which brake kit, and later model master son. Also special thanks to Jay disabled my '89 XR4 after the tire cylinder and booster. The intake and Kate Ertl for sending a copy of wall hit me, and sure enough, it is manifold has been ported by Allan the article to us. flopping around loose in the trunk. Slocum, and I have a ported ex- VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 1
Sierras and Merkurs A Personal History
Strangers as well as fellow Merkur parked outside, handprints from I sold the car escaped the me- owners often ask me why I drive a the neighbor kids would be all over chanical problems that have Merkur. While it may be an easy the car. haunted this model to this day. for some it is somewhat involved to But it was a blast. provide a simple response. In Everyone wanted a ride in the car 1982-1984 I did work in the U.K. and if possible drive it. It was I came home and drove our During that time the Sierra was be- great, but really not faster than the BMW 733 and Audi 5000. But ing introduced and I initially got a XR4i. But as the the hunger Sierra 2.0 GL to drive. saying goes all was still good things must there. A It was a simple reliable vehicle that have some bad. couple of created no problems but was bor- years later ing. Soon after obtaining the 2.0, When I started I was back Ford introduced the XR4i. The the RS in the in the U.K. XR4i was the spitting image of morning to go to I looked at what a “boy racer” would drive. It work, the noise the RS looked beefed-up and had a bi- was great. But by the time I got to again but said no and got a Si- wing spoiler on the back that made High Street, the equivalent of our erra 4x4. The Granada Scorpio the car standout from others. Main Street, the local constable was not exciting enough. The was waiting for me and would fol- 4x4 is still the best vehicle for So away went the 2.0 and in came low me out of town. It was like be- overall practicality and drivability the XR4Ii. By the way this was the ing in a western movie and being that I have ever owned. While it start of the Sierra/Merkuritis dis- told to leave now. I was the gun- was a manual transmission, it ease that I have not been able to slinger and the town needed pro- had so much torque that you al- cure. The car and I developed a tection from me. Four or five times most didn’t have to shift. special relationship whether blast- a week I would be shadowed. I ing done the motor- think I developed a new special rela- ways or playing with they tionship that I thought would last the joystick that ad- knew my forever, but then Ford did it justed the speaker schedule again. A new variant of the dis- balance. It was fun. before I ease was discovered. The Si- did, be- erra was remodeled and they let But then a strange cause I their racing group bring out a car came on the always worthy successor to the XR4i scene. It looked like had and RS, the Cosworth Sapphire a XR4i on steroids. company 4WD. It had a rear spoiler in any as large as the Porsche whale tail. town, village, or hamlet I drove This was the perfect vehicle. It It looked mean and it was nasty. through. had four doors, all-wheel drive, Ford has raised the stakes and I and a 2.0 liter motor. But it called their bet. Away went the On the motorways other cars could take on the world. “Boy XR4i and in came the Sierra RS would crowd around and try to bait racer” was back and even better Cosworth. me into a race. Yes I fell for it al- in a stealth machine. No crazy most every time, wouldn’t you? appendages, no gaudy badging, I had graduated from “boy racer” to But worst of all was that the car just a plain vehicle that enthusi- “macho-man racer” in an instant. was a target for every thief in the asts understood. Wherever I drove people looked. U.K. Little boys and grown men gave The police left you alone, no one me the thumbs-up sign and had an Luckily a solution came my way; I tried to race you and you knew envious look. If the car was was transferred back to the States. (Continued Page 7) PAGE 1 MERKUR HAPPENINGS 2000
SIERRAS AND MERKURS: CONTINUED knew if they did it was no problem. tried to take the car for a joy ride Comparable to all contemporary and made a major mistake. vehicles, no exceptions Also the new body style eliminated the horrible aerodynamics in cross Second, an air conditioning bracket Visual Impact winds of the early model. Cross- bolt worked its way loose while I Sierra RS Cosworth winds would move the first genera- was recently at Watkins Glen. It Take your choice, use the wing for tion Sierras, all versions, from lane- caused bent exhaust valves. So tea and picnics or just scare most of to- even with constant the people that see the car lane. care and attention something can go Attention Magnet But all wrong with your car. Sierra RS Cosworth good The bolt could have Every little boy will have his finger- things come loose on the prints on your car come road or track, it was Your neighbors will hate you to and just bad luck when it end, occurred. Drivability sooner or later. I was back in the Sierra 4x4 States. The BMW needed replace- Routine maintenance, such as oil The automatic manual because of ment and Elaine and I got a Scor- and oil filter are changed every the intense torque of the 2.8 L i6 pio. The Scorpio was exactly what 3,000 – 3,500 miles and I now use cylinder CAR magazine said it was: “An un- Mobil 1. Although I am not con- sophisticated sofa on wheels Boring with great space, and best as Sierra 2.0 GL a highway cruiser.” We Ugly loved taking it on trips. Un- Slow fortunately the reliability was The salesman's car less than desired. In 10 years, 46,000 miles, the Fastest transmission went, the rear XR4Ti Modified by RPM Motors of axle went, and many other Westwood, NJ and Modern Per- issues existed. So it to even- formance of West Long Branch, NJ tually was traded on a SUV. vinced that Mobil 1 is any better than less expensive oil since my oil I have owned or leased the follow- But in 1989 I purchased my XR4Ti. change interval is so frequent. ing models, sometime more than The vehicle I still drive today. Other one: than replacing the fuel pumps there The following table rates the Sier- · Sierra 2.0GL has been no mechanical failure. I ras/Merkurs based upon various · Sierra XR4i am a firm believer that routine factors from my personal experi- · Sierra RS Cosworth maintenance is required for any ve- ences: · Sierra 4x4 hicle. Mine is constantly being Various Granada Scorpios pampered and upgraded, such as Stealth Car · Sierra Cosworth Sapphire stainless brake lines, belt and hose Sierra Cosworth Sapphire 4WD · Merkur Scorpio replacement, new CV joints, and a No one notices unless they know · Merkur XR4Ti new guibo. and then they leave you alone Article By Dave Weiner Two incidents have taken place in Luxury (DAVE AND HIS WIFE ELAINE ARE the past year. First, a parking car Scorpio FOUNDING MEMBERS OF MCA AND HE demolished my engine. It was Relative to the Sierra/Merkur line, IS THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR AND RE- painstakingly rebuilt and placed not the same as a LS400 Lexus CORDING SECRETARY) back into the car. A legal case is pending as we go to press. It has Roominess not been fun. Someone obviously Scorpio VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 1
Watkins Glen 2000 Merkurs on World Famous Track
Four MCA members made the trek Prior to its stockcar involvement, tions is strenuous. Going down the north to Watkins Glen, New York for Watkins Glen was the first perma- straight at 115—130 mph, watching a two day driving instructional. The nent home of the United States your mirrors, looking at the course instructional is Grand Prix. It marshals, recognizing and following sponsored by evolved from a flag signals, setting up for the next the Shelby street course curve, thinking about the two follow- Mustang Club through the town ing curves is hard work to get right. of Rochester and around Se- You gain a new respect for the guys New York and neca Lake into the you watch on television who make it is attended by best staged event look so easy. up to 100 cars. on the Formula The Merkur contingent is always As indicated it One calendar. welcomed with open arms and peo- is an instructional and not a racing It was a privilege and thrill to race ple come over to reminisce about sessions, although boys will try to on the same surface where many of their Merkur experiences. While be boys and push the envelop. the greatest our cars are not Drivers are classified by group de- European and the fastest, they pending upon their driving skills and American drivers more then hold not the type of car being driven. have raced. their on on the The highest skill level, class 4 is re- Both the NAS- straights to the served for SCCA licensed drivers CAR short surprise of the who normally have higher priced course and Mustang guys. competitive equipment. SCCA long Cliff Walton, course were util- New and/or novice drivers always Dave Ziminski, ized during the Paul West, and have a personal instructor in their instructional. vehicle to improve your driving skills Dave Weiner made new friends, as well as measuring progress and There were four 20 minute sessions renewed acquaintances. The determining if you qualify for solo on each of the 2 days, interspersed Daves brought their wives and Paul and/or re-classification to a higher with classroom instructions. For brought his wife and two sons. All group. those who unfamiliar with track driv- had a great time. ing don’t think that a 20 minutes For those not familiar with the Wat- Hopefully you will be able to join us kins Glen facility it is next year and owned and operated learn about by NASCAR who apexes, what the runs a full range of flags mean, track stock car events and other termi- throughout the sea- nology which will son. The week-end make driving your prior to our instruc- Merkur or any ve- tional Mark Martin, hicle more enjoy- Jeff Gordon, Dale able and probably safer. Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt and com- session is short. It is taxing on your pany had made their annual visit. concentration and fatigue easily Accommodations, while rustic, are Additionally, the SCCA runs a full comes into play during the after- very reasonably priced and the total schedule of events throughout the noon. for 2 days including course fees is between $ 500 and $ 600.00 USD. year at the Glen. Driving a car in racing like condi- VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 1 MCA Merkur Happenings 2000
Membership Application Form
Name: (First) (MI) (Last)
Contact information: Street: Street (cont'd): City: State or Province: Postal (Zip) Code: Country:
Email: Home Phone: Work Phone: Home Page URL: Car information: Year of Year Model VIN Color (Scorpio/XR4) Purchase
Referral How did you hear of the Merkur Club of America? Tick here if you do not want your name listed in the member directory: [ ] (Accessible to members only) Type of Membership: [ ] Individual ($30) [ ] Family ($40) Complete form and send it with a check or money order made out to MCA: Saul Rivkin 130 Pennhurst Road Spring City, PA 19475 Please allow six weeks for processing (Do not write below this line) Member Number: Renewal Date: Date Received: Type of membership: Indiv Family Payment Method Check Credit Card Online Money Order A MCA PUBLICATION
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Let the excitement continue!
The Merkur Club of America, Inc. 130 Pennhurst Road Spring City, Pennsylvania 19475
Website: www.merkurclub.com
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