• The recipient of one of the most painstakingly correct restorations we have seen

 • Matching-numbers engine

 • Original interior preserved in almost as-new condition

 • Offered for sale after six years in well-ventilated dry storage

A little motoring revolution occurred in 1976, when Volkswagen introduced the GTi version of the Golf. Suddenly, the traditional sports-cars which for decades had been the transport of choice for the performance enthusiast seemed old hat. The newly-invented hot hatchback had all the high-performance qualities of the sports-cars of old, but with a day-to-day usability. Their small engines made them economical and their light weight and diminutive proportions meant they loved being thrown around.

Pretty soon, every car manufacturer which recognised a good thing was developing its own hot hatch, and Ford’s contribution was the Fiesta XR2, introduced in 1981. The original Fiesta was already a strong seller, its popularity helped by the crisp, clean styling from Ghia’s celebrated Tom Tjaarda, so all that was needed to make it appealing to enthusiasts was some souped-up mechanicals.

The XR2’s 84bhp 1.6-litre engine was the largest used in any Mk. I Fiesta and gave it a top speed of 107mph, so it could be a lot of fun given the right road conditions. It also looked the part, with a special trim package including decals, spoilers and distinctive round headlights. That respectable-looking chap who pulled up beside you in an MG Midget might have sneeringly dismissed the XR2 as a boy racer’s indiscretion, but he wouldn’t have been so cocky when the lights turned green…

 • Registered in Preston and sold new through Evans Halshaw

 • Acquired by Mr. Paul Cross, an experienced restorer with a penchant for 1980s Fords, circa 2010

 • Comprehensively renovated by Mr. Cross with extensive mechanical work including an engine rebuild

 • Understood to have been exhibited at the Ford Fair at Silverstone

 • Purchased by the present owner from the sale of the Coopers Classic Collection in 2016

 • Kept in dry storage since purchase and only returned to the road within the last few weeks

 • Paperwork includes the current V5, a collection of MoT certificates issued between 2012 and 2016, and the current MoT certificate which is valid until 4th April 2023

 • A collection of invoices details the various new mechanical parts purchased by Mr. Cross

 • The file also includes an original XR2 sales brochure and the auction catalogue from the sale of the Coopers Collection

 • Totally original interior preserved in exceptional condition

 • Fitted with its original P32 push-button radio

 • Probably the best original XR2 interior you are ever likely to see

Suppose you’re restoring a rare car. You want to get everything right, but you’re not sure exactly how it should look. What you really need to do is inspect an untouched original car from which to take notes. This is that car, with an interior unaltered since the day it rolled off the Dagenham production line. It’s almost on a par with unicorns and hen’s teeth for rarity.

It’s a pity we don’t know the early history of this car, as it’s obvious whoever owned it first really cared for it. The whole ‘Storm’ interior – the seats, doors, carpets, dash, centre console and headlining – is in the best conceivable condition for one which is totally original. We have found it nigh-on impossible to fault; only the seats have a few extremely mild marks and creases in the fabric, but we don’t see them as a bad thing as they testify to their originality.

The vendor does advise us that a few small cracks have appeared in the surface of the plastic dash, but this is extremely common with all Fiestas of the period and, on the face of it, this is still one of the best original dashes in existence. We are also told that the radio does not turn on, but we can forgive that at almost 40 years old.

If we need to go further to demonstrate just what an exceptional survivor this is, direct your eyes to the parcel shelf. Imagine the wear and tear it might have been subjected to, with shopping bags casually chucked on it and maybe the occasional pile of rubbish to take to the tip. You can see that it has never suffered any such abuse – its past owners must have loved it as if it were a member of their family.

Let’s continue our tour to the boot floor, where lives the original pepperpot alloy wheel which the vendor believes has never been removed. We’re certain of its originality, for it retains its original Pirelli sticker.

 • Near-mint condition with only minute detailing needed to bring it up to concours standard

 • Extra-cost options include locking fuel cap, glass sunroof and tinted windscreen bands

 • Retains its original dealer number plates

Given the remarkable state of the interior, it is conceivable that the Fiesta’s external finish is all-original, too. Then again, since Mr. Cross restored the car at his family’s body shop, it is equally possible that he subjected it to a full cosmetic restoration. Unfortunately, we can’t be certain either way but that hardly seems to matter. Original or not, it is utterly superb and we are of the understanding that it was clear-coated by Mr. Cross.

The plastic bumpers have a few marks in places, but the paint is truly outstanding. It is let down, unfortunately, by some tiny scratches on the scuttle near the offside bonnet corner, a few bubbles on the hatchback door and a chip in the top corner of the driver’s door, which is difficult to notice when the door is opened and almost impossible to spot when it is shut. There is also a slight leak from the sunroof, so we would recommend that, for the time being, the Fiesta does not spend much time in the rain in order to protect the original headlining.

The alloy wheels are near-mint, with one just having a little bit of bubbling beginning to appear under the powder-coating, and the decals look as if they had just been freshly applied. It may be noted that the glass is all original and carries all its correct inscriptions. The Yokohama A539 tyres must be the only thing not factory-specification, but we suspect they are of rather superior quality to the originals.

Underneath, the car is wonderfully clean and solid. There is the lightest corrosion on the exhaust pipe and some zinc-plated parts, but the floors are more or less immaculate. The vendor is a former professional welder and it is his opinion that the car has never been welded. If we were to suppose that it had never been driven in the rain, it probably wouldn’t be far from the truth.

 • Matching-numbers car

 • Engine comprehensively rebuilt c.2010 with new piston rings and big-end bearings

 • Starts on the button after six years of storage

The key turns and the engine wakes up, slowly at first but then the automatic choke kicks in and suddenly the Fiesta is wide awake, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The vendor has spent some time getting it ready for the road, and having just picked up a fresh MoT certificate (valid until 4th April 2023) with no advisory points, we’d say it’s more or less ready to go. The vendor has advised us that he experienced some rough-running and brake drag at first, but says the car now drives exactly as it should and ‘stops perfectly’.

If it does need anything it all, you know it will only be the bare minimum. The mechanics should have many years of life left in it, since the engine was rebuilt and so much was renewed c.2010. Besides the new piston rings and big-end bearings, the Fiesta also had its Weber 32 carburettor serviced, a new accelerator cable and clutch release bearing, and its suspension overhauled, among many other things.

To give some idea of just what a meticulous and perfectionist approach was taken to the restoration, the restorer used new old-stock Ford parts wherever possible. We would highlight the yellow clips securing the engine hoses. Most restorers would think nothing of visiting their local motor factors and walking home with a tub of jubilee clips. The yellow clips on the Fiesta are the correct ones as fitted by the factory – attention to detail like that is uncommon and highly commendable.

The engine appears to have been repainted before it was reassembled and now looks immaculate, with only the most minor cosmetic flaws. The only problem we are aware of is that the temperature gauge does not give a reading.

When the vendor was recommissioning the car, he found it necessary to replace one of the front ball joints. He is supplying the original item as well as another new spare with the car.

This Fiesta is, simply put, one of the very best out there. With only around 20,000 produced, Mk. I XR2s are not easy to find at the best of times, but time-warp survivors like this are near-mythical. 

The original interior is the real highlight, but the bodywork and engine are first-class, too. While it’s true that the car isn’t quite absolutely perfect, it is nevertheless good enough to be in the running for prizes at shows. If you really want to sample an XR2 as it was when new, this is the car to have, and it would make the ideal centrepiece in any collection of classic Fords.