Ford Sierra

The story

After twenty years of square Cortinas, the smooth, wind-cheating Sierra shocked Ford's loyal buyers, and sales began slowly. Within a few years everyone else's cars looked the same. The winged RS Cosworth of 1986 did 149 mph.

Inside

A dashboard that curves round the driver, with the radio and heater controls angled towards you.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Meanwhile, in 1982

The Falklands War was fought, and Channel 4 went on air.

Best-selling single of 1982: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners

Before you buy a 1980s car

• Check for rust in the usual places, though many cars from this decade were better protected.
• Electrical and fuel system faults are common, so test everything.
• Parts for mass-market cars are usually easy to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.