The thing about the XR3i is that we all knew someone who had one back in the day and Ford’s hot hatch was the blue collar hero car that every teenager wanted to own, but few could afford. Together with red braces, yuppies and mobile phones the size of a breeze block, the XR3i was one of those cars that defined an era. It screams Eighties nostalgia.

The XR3 first appeared in late 1980 and was the first of the new generation of FWD Ford hot hatches, replacing the long-in-the-tooth Mk 2, with both the Mk3 and Mk4 built at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. 

The Mk 3s sported a 96bhp 1,597cc CVH engine with a twin choke Weber carb, while the updated Mk 4 version arrived in 1986 and featured Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection which upped the power to 105bhp at 6,000rpm and gave it a top speed of 120mph. Zero to sixty comes up in a sprightly 8.5 seconds thanks to the models low kerb weight of just 912kg. So it didn’t just look quick, it was quick.

The model was incredibly popular in period – being one of Ford’s best selling cars of the Eighties – but many were thrashed, crashed or modified, making this car a rare survivor. Given the popularity of fast Fords and the rise in interest of Eighties classics, original examples are such to offer great investment potential.

The current owner had always wanted an XR3i as child but it wasn’t until years later that he could afford to realise the dream. He’s owned the car since 2016 after hunting exhaustively for one in his favourite colour of Radiant Red. While black was a popular choice in period, the striking red hue is the iconic colourway. Although the car was in great condition when he bought it, after a couple of years of ownership he wanted to bring it up to his high standards and dispatched it off to the Scooby Clinic in Chesterfield for a full respray. 

This involved taking all the glass out and removing the doors, boot and bonnet for a through job. Minimal metalwork was needed with only one sill needing replacement and even the boot floor – a common rust spot on the Mk4 – was solid and needed no metalwork. Even the original battery tray – which often rots – was in good condition.

He has receipts for all the work carried out on the car during his ownership period.

The current owner keeps the car garaged and on a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up. To ensure the belts don’t sit in one position he takes it out every few weeks to keep it in good condition. As he doesn’t get the time to use it as often as he wants, having covered a mere 718 miles in six years, he’d rather have someone else enjoy the car. The V5C is in the current owners name and the car will be supplied with a fresh MoT.

The original interior was reused in the restoration work and is in excellent condition for the vehicles age, with the grey Zolda seat fabric being unripped and in good condition. The fabric has gone a little saggy with age on the driver’s seat, but any decent trimmer could easily sort this. Pleasingly there are no holes cut in the original door cards for oversized speakers and the dashboard is uncracked and doesn’t have any aftermarket additions. The original Ford cassette radio is still in place in the centre console, as is the two-spoked sports steering wheel.

It's a largely frill-free interior that was shared with lesser models in the range, but the XR3i did gain a few goodies, such as electric windows and a wind-back glass sunroof.

Only a little pock marking on the door handles and a little loose vinyl on the rear seat sidecards (by the ashtrays – remember those!) hints at the vehicle’s 33-year-old age. The only replacement part fitted during the restoration work was a new rear parcel shelf as the original had speaker holes cut into it.

Overall, the interior is in superb condition for its age – just try and find another in this condition.

As the paintwork was refreshed around four years ago, as you’d expect it’s in great condition. The work was clearly done to a very high standard as the paint is super smooth without a trace of orange peel - far better quality than the original Ford paint! It’s worth pointing out that the side window surrounds have been painted on – just like it was when the car was built. Less fastidious restorations either omit this detail or use vinyl.

The shut lines are tight and even and the rubber trim is all in good order. The original side rubbing strips are also supplied with the car and attach with adhesive strips (the current owner didn’t like them) – these are expensive and rare to source.

Equally rare are the twin factory-fitted spotlights – these original Carello items are highly desired by classic Ford fans as so many were crashed in period.

An original style single tailpipe exhaust exits at the rear and makes a refreshing change from the bean can sized tips sported by modified cars.

The black rubbery rear spoiler and classic dogleg five-spoke wheels give it a great Eighties look, while the XR3i lettering on the side hints to a time when fuel injection was still a rarity. All tyres are 185/60-14 Uniroyal Rainsport 3s (including the spare) and are in excellent condition being dated 2016.

The car looks like it just rolled out of a Ford showroom and looks incredible. To nitpick, there’s a tiny chip in a nearside rear light lens and the offside front headlight has dulled with age.

The current owner and previous owners have clearly looked after the XR3i well and the car is said to drive well with good power. The gears are said to change smoothly and the clutch works fine. It’s said to be the same with the suspension and brakes, while the five matching tyres hint at careful ownership.

The car started easily for the photoshoot and the engine idled happily without making any untoward noises. 

The cambelt was changed shortly before the current owner acquired the car and even though its only done just over 700 miles, he suggests changing it would be prudent.

Given that all components were checked during the restoration work, the car wants for nothing and is all ready to be enjoyed by a new owner.

Original and unmodified XR3is are few and far between with the steel roofed model being much rarer than the cabriolet. This one is supplied in the iconic Radiant Red paintwork which is the classic colour for the model. Being the early fuel-injected model adds to the appeal, while the sympathetic restoration work means that nothing needs doing.

Given the strong interest in classic fast Fords, this is a shrewd buy for any collector but few people with petrol running in their veins will be able to resist taking this slice of Eighties nostalgia for a spin.

So grab your bleached jeans, slip in a Duran Duran cassette, turn it up to 11 and head for your favourite twisty road!