Highlights
- Well presented factory standard Diamond White car
- 5 former registered keepers with first from new until 1996
- Enthusiast current keeper since 2019 who has used it sparingly
- Eligible for Historic Vehicle status so tax and MOT exempt
- Most recent MOT passed with no advisories in May 2024
- Very rare original-style rubber 'waffle' mats and original parcel shelf
The Appeal
The XR3 may have hit the market first, but it was the XR2’s predecessor and very close cousin that set the template for Ford’s foray into the hot hatch sphere. Light, with just enough power to be entertaining and detailed to perfection, the XR2 is real-world, analogue 80s motoring at its finest.
Most XR2s ended up in hedges or rotting on driveways, so survivors as good as this factory-standard example are extremely rare. Finished in classic Diamond White, it is likely one of the last built before the arrival of the more rounded Mk2, and it is in really good condition. We love the classic decals, cleverly designed to accentuate the arches, and the purposeful auxiliary driving lights, a key ingredient of any energised 80s hatch. The eagle-eyed will spot the waffle carpets and parcel shelf, two vanishingly rare and hard-to-replace XR2 addenda.
The seller is an enthusiast who acquired this car in 2019 because he had one when he was 17. He has carefully traced the car’s history and tells us that it the first lady keeper retained it until 1996. He also explains that it has been restored at some point. We’re told the displayed low mileage of 86,000 is correct. The car has been used sparingly since purchase, yet it comes with regular servicing, most recently less than 200 miles ago.
This is a really good example of a car that has woven its way into many classic fans’ hearts. Here’s a chance to acquire a good, factory-standard original with the added advantage that it is now eligible for Historic Vehicle status.
The vendor says
“The car has been reliable and trouble-free in use throughout my ownership. During my time with it, I have not experienced any mechanical issues when driving, including on longer journeys. It starts easily, drives well, and feels firm and settled on the road.
“The maintenance listed below reflects routine servicing and the resolution of small age-related items, rather than fault-finding. These have been addressed as they arose, and the car has continued to perform as expected.
“The car is fitted with a non-standard exhaust, which was already installed when I purchased it. It sounds sporty without being intrusive, suits the character of the car well, and has a period-correct appearance, so I chose to retain it. I had considered replacing it with a standard system, but ultimately prefer how the car sounds and drives in its current form.
“Overall, the car drives exactly as an XR2 should, in my opinion. This is an honest, enthusiast-owned example of the Mk1 Fiesta XR2, offering long-term ownership, careful storage, light mileage in recent years, and full transparency throughout. It has been enjoyed sympathetically rather than over-restored and represents a genuine opportunity to acquire an increasingly hard-to-find early hot hatch.”
Key Information
- Mileage: 86,144 miles, odometer reading stated as correct
- Country of registration: United Kingdom
- Technical inspection status: exempt as Historic vehicle
- Technical specs: 1,600cc petrol, four-speed manual transmission
- Paperwork: Service records from current ownership, V5C logbook
The vendor says:
“This Mk1 Fiesta XR2 is finished in Diamond White and was first registered on 8 September 1983, originally supplied by Haynes Ford in Maidstone, Kent.
“I have owned the car since July 2019, during which time it has covered just under 3,000 miles, increasing from 83,340 miles to 86,144 miles. On the day I bought it, the car was driven from Glasgow to Amersham (approximately 400 miles) without issue, which set the tone for my ownership.
“The car has now had five previous keepers. During my ownership, I was contacted by the son of the first registered keeper, who confirmed that his mother owned the car from new in 1983 until 1996, adding a nice piece of early provenance to the history. Knowing where the car was originally supplied, I have also sourced period-correct dealer-style number plates and a matching dealer sticker for the rear window, which complement the car’s original presentation.
“The V5C log book notes that the car has at some point been registered and used overseas. Unfortunately, no further information is available regarding this period.
“I originally bought the car as it is the same model and specification as my first car when I was 17, making this a nostalgic purchase rather than a speculative one. Now 47, and with limited time to use it as intended, I feel it is the right moment for it to pass to the next enthusiast.
“The most recent MOT was carried out on 24 May 2024 at 86,057 miles, and passed with no advisories. The vehicle is now classed as Historic, meaning it is MOT and road tax exempt.”
The Detail
- Factory-standard car in Diamond White with classic pepperpot alloys
- Paintwork, decals and exterior trim all in very good condition
- Benefited from restoration earlier in life we are told (although there is no documentation of when)
- The vendor states the car has been reliable throughout ownership
- We are told it starts easily, drives well, and feels firm and settled on the road
- Non-standard exhaust fitted with period-correct appearance, sounds sporty without being intrusive
- Small number of age-related marks and blemishes visible in photos
- Stone chip to one front spotlight, protected with PPF, light functions correctly
- Corrosion and crack in paint on corner of driver's door, more obvious when open
- All age-related marks unchanged during nearly seven years of current ownership
- Interior presents in very good condition with light age-related wear
- Front seats firm with cloth in good condition, XR Owners Club seat covers used for preservation
- Couple of dashboard cracks (common on these cars)
- Very rare original-style rubber 'waffle' mats fitted
- Original parcel shelf in good condition
- Rear seat belts removed by previous owner; would need refitting for rear passengers
- Car not driven in wet conditions during current ownership
- Period-correct dealer-style number plates and matching dealer sticker sourced
- V5C notes car was registered and used overseas at some point according to seller
Service history:
- 05/06/2020 (84,858 miles): Service including oil change, coolant, wheel bearing kit, wheel cylinder, antifreeze
- 17/07/2020 (84,893 miles): Clutch kit fitted
- 10/06/2021 (84,961 miles): Gear linkage reset, temperature gauge repaired, new starter motor loom
- 29/06/2022 (85,021 miles): Oil change, wheel bearing, fan switch, antifreeze
- 05/06/2023 (85,970 miles): Oil change
- Most recent MOT on 24 May 2024 at 86,057 miles, passed with no advisories
The vendor says:
“The car has benefited from a restoration at some point earlier in its life, although there is no documentation to confirm exactly when this took place. As expected, it now shows a few age-related marks and blemishes, all of which are visible in the photographs. None are considered significant or detracts from the overall appearance of the car.
“The main external point worth highlighting is a stone chip to one of the front spotlights. This has been protected with PPF, the light functions correctly, and the car is not driven in wet conditions.
“There is corrosion and a crack in the paint on the corner of the driver's door. This is more obvious when the door is open. Not really noticeable from the outside. This is shown in the photos.
“Importantly, all age-related marks inside and out are unchanged from when the car was purchased nearly seven years ago. Thanks to careful ownership and storage, they have not deteriorated during this time.
“Inside, the interior is in very good condition for its age, with some light age-related wear. It is not perfect, but it remains a pleasant and original-feeling place to be. The front seats are firm, with the cloth in good condition, and XR Owners Club seat covers have been used to help preserve them.
“As is common on these cars, there are a couple of cracks in the dashboard. Close-up photographs are included. When parked in strong sunlight, an XR Owners Club–branded towel has been used to help protect the dashboard.
“The car also benefits from very rare original-style rubber “waffle” mats, along with a parcel shelf that appears to be original and remains in good condition — both items that are increasingly difficult to source.
“A previous owner removed the rear seat belts entirely. The rear seats have not been used during my ownership, but anyone intending to carry rear passengers would need to have belts refitted.”
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