1988 Ford Fiesta XR2 – Auction Car of the Week

It’s no secret that we love an ’80s hot hatch here at Car & Classic. We’re  not only enamoured by the era but we’re also dazzled by their drive-ability and taken with their tenacious temperament. There’s just something about a souped-up hatchback from that most snazzy of decades (to coin a phrase) that floats our collective boat. We’re not fussy either. Whether it be a Renault 5 Turbo or a Volkswagen Golf GTi we have no specific allegiance and our pickle is always tickled when one such car should come up for sale via our auctions platform. Case in point is this 1988 Ford Fiesta XR2.

A paid up member of the hot hatch club the XR2, with its flared arches and spotlights, certainly looks the part, appearing as it does much more muscular than a standard Fiesta, and with a larger 1.6-litre CVH Crossflow Kent engine and five-speed manual gearbox has the bite to match its bark. A large part of what makes these types of cars so special is the way they handle and the Fiesta XR2 is no exception. The original Fiesta was a joy to drive and the XR2 built upon those positive and engaging road manners whilst offering a beefier, more attractive package with a few extra teeth thrown in for good measure and while it may not be as fast as some of its rivals, what horsepower it does muster is put to good use. The upshot of such an uncomplicated package is the inherent ease with which everything comes apart and goes back together again making the XR2 a solid choice for the tinkerers amongst us.

Our XR2 is a little different from the usual UK fare in that it is a left-hand drive model that has spent most of its life in sunny, and more importantly, dry Portugal. Does it really matter on what side you’re sitting when the car itself is so clean and free from corrosion? No is the simple answer. We would much rather have an XR2 that we know is solid than worry about our position in relation to the curb and thankfully this particular feisty Fiesta is one such example. Not only is it straight and clean underneath but it has also benefited from a full, doors off respray in 2011 in its original shade of Rosso Red and the finish is superb. The original ‘Pepperpot’ alloy wheels have also been repainted in gloss black and while the colour may not be to everyone’s taste there’s no denying they’re in top condition. Personally we think they suit the car and compliment the rest of the black trim parts well but that’s just us.

Whilst the Portuguese climate has been kind to the bodywork and chassis, unfortunately the flip side of such warm and sunny climbs is some slight sun damage to the interior. This is minor though and the inside of the XR2 is original, even down to the factory parcel shelf and presents incredibly well overall. The carpets, door cards and headlining are all in particularly good condition and the car is fitted with the optional pop-up sunroof and an after market Pioneer CD radio.

This Fiesta has clearly been looked after by its two careful and proud owners (one in Portugal and one here in the UK), is mechanically sound and drives impeccably. It has an MOT until December and has recently been treated to servicing work, including new cam followers, spark plugs and HT leads as well as a new distributor cap and rotor arm. An inspection of the area under the bonnet reveals a clean and honest engine bay that hasn’t been detailed to within an inch of its life. With just under 61K on the clock it’s a low mileage car but has still been used enough to keep it happy. Currently residing in Lancashire it is a UK registered car with all of the import documentation present and correct so it’s ready to be driven away by its new owner.

We’ve been watching prices of Fast Fords escalate for a good while now and the XR2 is no different. This particular car’s USP is its rust-free chassis and body and if you can look past it’s left-hand drive leanings (and you should) then it is a very attractive proposition indeed. Head over to the original listing for an in-depth analysis, as well as a whole host of well-shot photos and then get bidding.