A Legendary Rebirth
Once a forgotten relic of Ford’s European performance lineup, the Merkur XR4Ti has been completely reimagined by JH Restorations. With aggressive RS500-inspired styling, modern power under the hood, and handcrafted details throughout, the RS4Ti is more than a build—it’s a resurrection of rally-bred history with a bold new attitude
1987 MERKUR RS4Ti
ENGINE
2.3L Ford Performance EcoBeast, Ford Performance turbo, camshaft and throttle body, custom DeWitts radiator
TRANSMISSION
Bowler Tremec TKX 5-speed, Ace Clutch, QA1 Carbon Fiber driveshaft, Ford Super 8.8 rear end 3.15 gear
BRAKES/SUSPENSION
Wilwood 14″ 6 piston Forged calipers front and 4 piston Forged calipers rear, JH engineered front and rear suspension based off Corvette C6 hubs with QA1 coilovers
WHEELS/TIRES
American Racing VF529 18″, Toyo Proxes Sport Tires 255/35 265/35
PAINT/BODY
Ford Area 51 blue by BASF Automotive Refinishing Coatings, In-house desgined and manufactured front body, wide body, side skirts, rear bumper, front and rear diffusers, rear wing modifications
INTERIOR
Custom interior by Vlad Nesic Design, 2018 Focus Recaro seats, recovered in leather and retro Recaro fabric
MEDIA
THE STORY
JH Restorations took the rarely-seen 1987 Merkur XR4Ti and transformed it into something truly radical: the RS4Ti. Inspired by the legendary Sierra RS500, this wide-bodied beast blends vintage rally style with modern performance engineering. Under the hood, a turbocharged 2.3L EcoBoost engine pumps out 475 horsepower, paired with a TREMEC 5-speed and a custom-built independent rear suspension. The result is a car that’s just as wild on the street as it is on the show floor.
Finished in Area 51 Blue and sitting on aggressive 18″ American Racing wheels, the RS4Ti demands attention from every angle. Inside, it’s fitted with modern Recaro seats, digital gauges, and refined touches that keep the driver firmly planted in both comfort and control. This build isn’t just a tribute to Ford’s rally past — it’s a full-blown resurrection.
