Description
FOR SALE
JF CLASSIC CARS HAVE FOR SALE A TIMEWARP 1994 FORD FIESTA FINESSE WITH A MEAGER 901 MILES FROM NEW ALONG WITH HAVING ONLY 1 FORMER KEEPER
DESCRIPTION
The Ford Fiesta Finesse was introduced in the early 1990s as a well-equipped trim level of the popular Fiesta range. The 1994 Fiesta Finesse combined the practicality and reliability with additional equipment and distinctive styling aimed at providing greater comfort and value. The Finesse designation was used during the mid-1990s before being phased out as Ford revised its Fiesta trim structure.
EXTERNAL
Presented in the highly desirable and distinctive Tourmaline Green Metallic this 1994 Ford Fiesta Finesse is an exceptional example of Ford’s much-loved Mk3 Fiesta, presented in outstanding showroom-standard condition throughout
The Finesse was positioned as a well-equipped step-up model within the Fiesta range combining the practicality and character of the Mk3 with a number of additional exterior styling features that gave the model a more refined and distinctive appearance. This particular example remains remarkably well preserved and presents an exceptional opportunity for the enthusiast, collector or professional seeking an original and highly presentable 1990s Ford.
The exterior is finished in its attractive Tourmaline Green Metallic a period Ford colour that suits the clean lines of the Fiesta particularly well. The paintwork presents beautifully throughout, giving the car a crisp and exceptionally well-preserved appearance. Complementing the body colour are the factory-style colour-coded front and rear bumpers which remain in excellent condition and retain a very sharp finish.
The Finesse's additional exterior detailing further enhances its presentation, including its distinctive Finesse badging and specially styled wheel trims which were among the identifying features of this higher-specification model. These details give the car a particularly authentic period appearance while retaining the understated character for which the Fiesta was renowned.
The colour-coded rear-view door mirrors remain in excellent condition and complement the Tourmaline Green finish perfectly. The original front and rear lighting units are also completely unmarked presenting exceptionally well and reinforcing the remarkable level of preservation evident throughout the vehicle.
Particular attention is also drawn to the vehicle’s external rubber trims. The bumpers, trims and external rubber components remain in excellent condition with an unusually fresh and well-preserved appearance for a vehicle of this age. This is an important detail on any 1990s classic, and the quality of the external trims contributes significantly to the car’s overall showroom presentation.
The vehicle retains its original glazing further enhancing its originality and authenticity. The glass remains clear and exceptionally well presented, with the glazing complementing the unmarked lighting and beautifully preserved exterior trim.
The Finesse specification was designed to provide a more sophisticated interpretation of the Fiesta, with its additional styling touches, distinctive wheel covers and dedicated badging giving it a clear identity within the contemporary Ford range. Period sales literature confirms the Finesse as a distinct model within the Fiesta line-up, while surviving examples such as this demonstrate just how appealing the specification can be when combined with exceptional preservation.
The overall impression is of a Fiesta that has been preserved with considerable care and attention, retaining the character and originality expected of a genuine 1994 Finesse while presenting to an exceptionally high standard. The Tourmaline Green Metallic paintwork, original exterior components and period-specific Finesse details combine to create a remarkably authentic and desirable example
INTERNAL
Stepping inside this 1994 Mk3 Ford Fiesta Finesse immediately reinforces just how exceptional and carefully preserved this example is. Having covered just 901 miles from new the interior presents in a manner that is rarely encountered on a vehicle of this age. The overall impression is remarkably close to that of a new car, with the cabin retaining the appearance, feel and originality of the Fiesta as it would have left the Ford factory in 1994.
The Special Edition Ruble velour cloth upholstery to both the front and rear seats remains in immaculate condition. The fabric is exceptionally well preserved with no evidence of sagging, stretching or excessive wear. The seat bolsters, cushions and seat faces retain their original shape and firmness giving the upholstery an almost unused appearance. The front seats have matching headrests completing the factory-correct appearance of the seating arrangement.
The exceptionally low mileage is reflected throughout the cabin. The interior has clearly benefited from being protected from the normal wear associated with everyday use and the upholstery retains the crisp appearance and texture expected of a virtually unused vehicle. There is no wear to the seating materials and the original Ruble velour remains one of the most striking features of this remarkably preserved interior.
The dashboard is entirely original retaining the factory finish and layout exactly as intended by Ford. It presents exceptionally well, with the plastics, mouldings and surrounding trim retaining their original appearance. The switchgear throughout the dashboard is equally impressive, presenting almost as new, with the controls retaining their crisp markings and unworn appearance.
Directly ahead of the driver is the instrument binnacle housing the Fiesta's factory-fitted instrumentation. The speedometer is particularly noteworthy displaying just 901 miles from new providing an important and highly visible indication of the vehicle's exceptionally low mileage. Positioned alongside it is the tachometer and also fuel and engine-temperature gauges. The clarity and condition of the instruments, their markings and surrounding binnacle are consistent with the extraordinary level of preservation found throughout the cabin.
The dashboard layout is characteristically straightforward and functional, reflecting the design philosophy of the period. The driver's instruments are positioned directly within the binnacle for clear visibility, while the centre and surrounding dashboard areas accommodate the various factory switches and controls. Every element remains faithful to the original 1994 specification, with no unnecessary alterations or modern additions detracting from the factory appearance.
The vehicle also retains its original factory-fitted Ford RDS stereo system an important feature for maintaining the authenticity of the cabin. The unit sits naturally within the original dashboard and complements the surrounding switchgear and trim. Its presence further demonstrates that the interior has been preserved in its original specification rather than subsequently modified or modernised.
The original door cards are also in exceptional condition. The trim remains clean, crisp and remarkably well preserved, with the materials retaining their original appearance and the surrounding fittings presenting to an extremely high standard. The door furniture and associated switchgear show the same minimal-use condition evident throughout the remainder of the interior.
Underfoot, the original factory-fitted interior carpet remains exceptionally well preserved and presents almost as new. Of particular note, the carpet has been protected by over mats from the time the vehicle was registered helping to explain its remarkable condition today. The underlying factory carpet retains its original appearance and has avoided the wear, fading and marking normally associated with a Fiesta that has seen regular road use over more than three decades.
The consistency of preservation throughout the cabin is perhaps what makes this interior so remarkable. The original seats, headrests, dashboard, instrumentation, switchgear, stereo, door cards and factory carpeting all complement one another and retain the character of the Fiesta exactly as Ford intended. There is no sense of a restored or refurbished interior instead the cabin presents as an exceptionally preserved original factory interior with its condition being a direct reflection of the extraordinarily low mileage.
At just 901 miles from new this Fiesta Finesse offers an almost unique opportunity to experience the interior of a 1994 Ford in a condition remarkably close to that of a newly delivered car. The Ruble velour upholstery remains immaculate, the dashboard and instruments retain their original finish, the factory Ford RDS stereo remains in place, the matching door cards are beautifully preserved and the protected original carpeting remains virtually untouched.
The result is an interior of exceptional originality and authenticity. It does not merely look like a low-mileage example it feels like one retaining the crispness, texture, fit and finish associated with a car that has spent the vast majority of its life protected from normal use.
For anyone with an appreciation of original Ford vehicles, this 1994 Mk3 Fiesta Finesse provides an extraordinarily rare glimpse into how these cars looked when new. With only 901 miles recorded from new the cabin remains a remarkable time capsule of Ford's early-1990s design, preserved to an exceptional standard and presented in a condition that is as close to factory-new as one could realistically hope to find today.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
At the heart of this 1994 Ford Fiesta Finesse is Ford’s proven 1. 3-litre HCS four-cylinder overhead-valve petrol engine a well-established unit renowned for its straightforward mechanical design, durability and economical nature. Producing approximately 59 bhp the engine provides the Fiesta with an engaging and uncomplicated driving experience that is entirely in keeping with the character of a well-preserved 1990s Ford.
The 1. 3-litre HCS, or High Compression Swirl, engine was developed with everyday usability in mind, offering a useful balance between performance, economy and mechanical simplicity. Its four-cylinder configuration and overhead-valve design provide a characteristic period driving feel, with the engine delivering its power in a smooth and predictable manner rather than relying on outright performance.
For a car of this size, the 1. 3-litre engine is particularly well suited to the Fiesta Finesse. It provides sufficient performance for both urban and open-road driving while retaining the light, uncomplicated character that made the Fiesta such a successful model throughout the 1990s. The modest power output also makes the engine an excellent match for the car's relatively light construction.
Power is delivered through a five-speed manual gearbox giving the Finesse an additional level of flexibility when compared with a four-speed transmission. The five-speed arrangement allows the driver to make full use of the engine's available power while providing a more relaxed cruising experience when travelling at higher road speeds. The gearbox is a particularly important part of the car's period character, offering the direct and mechanical interaction that enthusiasts associate with driving a manual Ford of this era.
The combination of the 1. 3-litre HCS four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission** makes this Fiesta an excellent representation of the practical, uncomplicated engineering philosophy that defined Ford's small cars during the period. There is no unnecessary complexity; instead, the mechanical package is straightforward, accessible and designed around dependable everyday motoring.
In the case of this exceptionally low-mileage example, having covered just 901 miles from new the mechanical specification becomes even more significant. The car has travelled only a fraction of the mileage normally expected of a 1994 vehicle, making it an exceptionally unusual survivor. Combined with its highly original presentation, the 1. 3-litre HCS engine and five-speed manual gearbox provide an authentic driving experience that remains remarkably faithful to the way a Fiesta Finesse would have felt when new.
The result is a particularly appealing combination of period Ford engineering, modest but perfectly adequate performance, five-speed manual transmission and exceptional originality. Rather than being a modified or upgraded example, this Fiesta retains the straightforward mechanical character that made the model so popular when new, while its extraordinarily low mileage and preserved condition make it a fascinating example of Ford's 1990s small-car engineering.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
This 1994 Ford Fiesta Finesse retains its original-style steel wheels providing the car with the clean and understated appearance that was characteristic of the Fiesta when new. The steel wheels are complemented by the correct Ford factory-style wheel hub caps which remain exceptionally well presented and complement the Tourmaline Green Metallic exterior perfectly. The combination of the painted steel wheels and original-style hub caps gives the car an authentic period appearance without detracting from its originality.
Fitted to all four corners are as-new tyres maintaining the correct period-style appearance while providing excellent condition and confidence for the vehicle's continued use. The tyres are 165/ 70 R13 and all four tyres present exceptionally well
HISTORY FILE
Registered on the 14th January 1994 by Brooklyn Ford of Redditch to a Mr Hankin who purchased the vehicle as a retirement present to himself
Retaining the vehicle for some 25years, Mr Hankin became poorly in 1996 resulting in the vehicle being used very sparingly, By the time the vehicle was due for its first mot in 1997 the vehicle had only covered 819 miles.
Always garaging it along with having central heating and a soft cotton cloth placed over it, Mr Hankin would not drive the vehicle in the wet or on hot sunny days
By 1998 Mr Hankin had managed only a further 5 miles in the car and even less thereafter not long after in 2002 Mr Hankin gave up driving altogether, The vehicle remained in the heated garage until 2018
Within the ownership of Mr Hankin it went back to Brookly Ford for three services:
339 miles... 18-04-1994
756 miles.. 08-02-1995
814 miles.. 17-02-1996
Having covered very little since.. 901 miles now to be precise!
The vehicle was then subsequently sold to a Mr Bonner of Redditch who has only been the other registered keeper
Various old MOT certificates along with all service and handbooks plus dealer binder, All 3 keys and original Ford alarm fitted from factory with original Ford alarm fobs all in as new condition
Could it get any better?
V5 PRESENT & HPi CLEAR.
