An all-original, unrestored car in excellent condition
Single family ownership for the first 20 years of its life
Newly recommissioned
MoT with no advisories until July 2024
The Appeal
In the 1980s, a seismic shift in automotive tastes took place. The two-seater sports car, which had been the vehicle of choice for the driving enthusiast since the 1930s, had suddenly fallen out of favour. The sort of motorists who coveted brisk performance and nimble handling instead flocked to buy a ‘hot hatch’, a new phenomenon pioneered by Volkswagen with the Golf GTi of 1976.
Before long, a slew of performance-oriented hatchbacks appeared on the market. They were quick, nippy and lots of fun, just like the sports cars of old, but they were also capable of carrying shopping bags and children and would keep you warm and dry in winter. Enlivened with eye-catching decals, spoilers and flared arches, they looked suitably exciting, too.
Ford’s contribution to the hot hatch craze was the Fiesta XR2, which appeared in 1980. Its popularity ensured there was also an XR2 version of the Mk. II Fiesta, built from 1983 to 1989, and the name ultimately lived on until 1994. During the 1980s, the XR2 boasted the largest engine of any Fiesta, the 1597cc CVH straight-four, which was updated with a revised cylinder head and carburettor in 1986 for reduced emissions. With a 0-60 mph time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 112mph, it was every bit as ‘hot’ as its racy bodykit suggested.
As popular as the XR2 was, its target audience was not the pottering Sunday driver type, and not all were treated sympathetically, but the car offered here certainly has been. Purchased new from Bridge Garage in Shoeburyness, Essex, by Mrs. M. Emery of Thorpe Bay, it remained in the family for a full 20 years. Off the road since 2009 and newly recommissioned, it’s a remarkable survivor. The paint and interior are all original, the mechanicals have never required major work, and its history file goes back to the day it was bought. Its presence would significantly enhance any collection of historic Fords or 1980s classics, or it could just be the perfect classic to enjoy in the summer and take to shows.
The History and Paperwork
Originally sold through Bridge Garage of Shoeburyness to Mrs. M. Emery of Thorpe Bay
Ownership transferred to Mr. John Emery in 1999
Taken off the road in 2009, it has had only two owners since the Emerys
The vendor, a trained mechanic and classic Ford collector, purchased it in 2018 and put it back on the road earlier this year
The Fiesta is offered with the present and historic V5s, correspondence from Bridge Garage to Mrs. Emery dated 1987/1988, full MoT history dating back to 1992, a large collection of service invoices from Bridge Garage, and assorted other maintenance invoices issued up to 2008
Included service books
The Interior
A real time-warp in superb unrestored condition
Original spare wheel in boot
Tidily kept and immaculately presented
It’s going to be difficult to find words that can do justice to this car. As far as we are concerned, it must be one of the best original, unrestored XR2s in existence. Just look at the photographs and see for yourself. The cloth upholstery is excellent, the door trim is superb, the dash and centre console are in wonderful condition and the headlining is in very good shape, too.
There may be one or two marks here and there – it is a 35-year-old car after all – but it nevertheless possesses one of the cleanest and best-preserved interiors of that period that we have yet seen. There is a very small circular patch on the driver’s seat where the cloth has, for some reason, hardened, but other than that you’d be hard-pressed to find anything in the interior which couldn’t pass for new or nearly-new.
Opening the boot, the situation is every bit as good. The carpets have been kept beautifully clean and they lift to reveal the original spare wheel in excellent condition. Some of the trim inside the boot lid has sustained some minor damage, but aside from that the whole interior is more or less impossible to fault.
The Exterior
Finished in its original Rosso Red paint
Desirable ‘pepperpot’ alloy wheels
Full XR2 equipment including spotlights and sunroof
Looking wonderful in its eye-catching Rosso Red, the condition of this XR2 is even more impressive when you consider that its paintwork is believed to be the original finish that was applied in Dagenham 35 years ago. It is extremely hard to find any faults, although it has acquired a very light patina appropriate for its age, and the vendor advises that he has touched in some small patches of paint himself.
The exterior plastics are likewise in very good condition, and seem not to have suffered from any of the fading or dulling to which plastics of the period are often susceptible. Again, there is a subtle patina, and evidence of a very slight scrape at the nearside corner of the rear bumper but, taking age and originality into consideration, it presents extremely well.
The distinctive ‘pepperpot’ alloys were originally an option on the XR2, but they may as well have been standard as they were specified by almost all buyers, and they do look very handsome. These are in much the same condition as the rest of the car, being close to immaculate, although with some light patina and very mild scuffing which gives their age away.
It’s well worth taking a look at the underside, just to see what excellent condition it’s in. We could not see any evidence of corrosion or past welding. The overall condition of the car is such that we think that if you were to enter it in a Ford concours, there would be a good chance of winning a preservation class award.
Please not that the original number plate is included.
The Mechanics
No major work has ever been required
Detailed service history
MoT with no advisories until July 2024
Drives beautifully – quiet and smooth on the road
Considering how well this car has obviously been treated, it is perhaps no surprise that it has never required any major mechanical work over the course of its life. With a genuine 77,000 miles from new, all the mechanical systems still appear to be in excellent condition.
This is supported, first of all, by its MoT history, which it passed without a single advisory note. Previous MoTs up to 2009 also showed no advisories, which suggests that the Fiesta has always benefitted from careful storage and sympathetic use.
Secondly, we were fortunate enough to travel a few miles in the car and can report that it went like a dream. Though the exhaust note had a lively bark to it, once seated inside the car drove very quietly and smoothly. It felt as nippy and responsive as a car of its class ought to be and, with the open road at your disposal, it is difficult to imagine that anyone could go for a drive in it and not return with a huge grin spread across their face.
It will be seen that the engine bay is very clean and we can see no reason why the Fiesta shouldn’t be perfect for somebody who wants a vivacious classic to use, enjoy and maintain.
The Summary
This XR2 is a true time-warp. With the paint, interior and mechanicals preserved almost exactly as they were when it left the factory, we think the chances of finding a better unrestored example are almost nil. In every aspect of its condition, it is enormously impressive and we’re sure our views would be validated if you were to place the XR before a panel of judges at a Ford concours. It deserves a new owner who is going to preserve and cherish it just as previous owners have done, and whoever that person may be is sure to be the envy of thousands of Ford enthusiasts.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
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