1983 Ford Fiesta XR2 – Classified of the Week

We here at Car & Classic think the Ford Fiesta XR2 just keeps getting better and better as the years roll by. Like a fine Cognac gloriously fermenting in oak barrels but without the associated pretence and affectations. It’s fine wine tasting but down the local boozer with a packet of pork scratchings on standby and the footy on the big screen. We’re not spitting it out either, we’re downing the stuff, letting the buzz wash over us and enjoying every gulp. Hackneyed motoring metaphors aside, however, the XR2 remains a brilliant little car that received the ’80s hot hatch treatment, going on to help define the very movement it was designed to be a part of.

The Fiesta has been a hugely popular car and a massive success for Ford since its inception in 1976 and while it may be coming to the end of its natural life its legacy lives on, not least in the Mk1 XR2. Souped-up, tuned versions of production cars nowadays receive the full treatment in terms of performance packs, accoutrements and extra bells and whistles but Ford kept it simple back in ’81 with the release of the XR2. Essentially a stock Fiesta but with a larger 1.6 Crossflow Kent engine and some exterior tweaks encapsulating a spoiler, ‘Pepperpot’ alloys, round headlamps and spotlights, as well as some additional black plastic trim and some stripes. Ford wasn’t exactly re-inventing the wheel here but it didn’t need to. The Fiesta was already a cracking little car that handled well, it just needed beefing up a bit and fitting with some new togs.

Whatever the case, Ford achieved exactly what it wanted to with the XR2; they had created a fast, reasonably priced hatchback. Capable of 105mph and with a sub-ten second 0-60 time the XR2 had the goods and people loved it, buying it in their droves. It may have only had 84 horsepower but thanks to its low curb weight it was a feisty little number and the positive, confident handling characteristics that made the original Fiesta such a joy to drive were retained, now with a little extra, and very welcome oomph.

The Ford Fiesta XR2 we are showcasing today is this completely original 1983 model. Many XR2s have been thrashed to death or have simply rotted away into orangey-brown flakes but thankfully this car has survived, and survived incredibly well. Previously owned by a film and television car hire company it has lived part of its life as a prop in period productions, which means it’s fairly safe to assume that it was fastidiously looked after during its tenure as a star of the screen – an assumption that is backed up by the wonderful condition the car is currently in as well as the fact it comes supplied with both indoor and outdoor car covers and a 12v CTEK battery conditioner.

With only 73K on the clock it has pretty low mileage too, adding to the long list of ticked boxes this particular example proudly exhibits. With a two major services last year, the details of which you can read about on the Verified Listing here, the car is in top shape, both mechanically and in terms of bodywork and interior and has a full year’s MOT certificate. Yes, there are a few minor blemishes here and there but this is an original (even the factory stereo has been retained but upgraded to Bluetooth), unrestored example and so a little patina is to be expected.

If you do choose to make an offer and/or buy, being as it is a Verified Listing, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re 100% protected from fraud and can use our secure payment system. You can also send secure messages to the seller to ask more questions and arrange viewings confident that they are legitimately who they say they are. So, with that in mind there’s not really anything stopping you from at least going to have a look at this wonderful little hot hatch hero. We’re sure once you get behind the wheel you’ll be smitten. We are and we haven’t even driven it.