1980 Ford Fiesta L – Classified of the Week

There’s a common myth in the classic car world, and that myth suggests that all classic cars are expensive. This is utter nonsense. Take this little charmer, for example. A 1980 Ford Fiesta L. Resplendent in gold with brown innards, this little Fiesta has never been restored, it still proudly wears its original number plates, the original albeit faded dealer sticker in the rear window, and there’s a nice bit of well earned patina to sing of this car’s honest life. The price? £3,750. Bargain.

Okay, so it might not have the gravitas of a classic Porsche or the prestige of an old Roller, but so what? It’s cool, it’s honest, and because it’s a Ford, it will only ever go up in value if it’s looked after. And the market is always on high alert for a bargain, honest, original car like this. To miss this Fiesta L would truly be to miss out. And while it might not be a Porker or a Rolls, it will still turn heads. People will see this little vision in gold and smile, some may even reminisce as they think back to when they had one, or learned to drive in one. This is a car far more people are connected to than the aforementioned other two.

Cars like this Fiesta L are what the classic car world is all about. This is a car that has, through both luck and through careful owners, survived. A car that, really, was never meant to. Nobody looked at this in 1980 and imagined it as a classic, but here it is. Its past custodians have seen it, too. A good, happy little car that deserves reward and care in return of reliable service. It’s been cherished, as we’re sure will be the case when the next owner takes it on.

This 1980 Ford Fiesta L has an MOT until July of next year, and while there were some advisories, there’s nothing of concern. Some rust needs addressing before it bites into the car any harder, and some wheel bearings wouldn’t go amiss. But it’s a Fiesta, so that’ll cost about 76p. The 1,117cc Valencia engine is no more complicated than a ham sandwich, so maintaining that is going to be no issue. The body looks straight, the paint shines, the interior fabrics are a little worn, but it’s nothing a good upholsterer couldn’t sort out. And it’d be money well spent. This car has come a long way. 43 years and 77,ooo miles, in fact. It deserves a passionate new owner. We hope it’s you.