Highlights
- Incredibly low mileage of just 29,100 miles
- Bodywork and paintwork in good condition
- Only three owners
- Ready to drive away with current MoT
The Appeal
Back in the Nineties, the Mk3 Ford Fiesta was a common sight on UK roads and we all knew someone that had one – they sold thousands of them (153,000 in 1987 to be precise).
They were part of the fabric of Britain and with there nimble handling and nippy lean-burn engines they were a great drive, too.
They were part of the fabric of Britain and with there nimble handling and nippy lean-burn engines they were a great drive, too.
Launched in 1983, the Mk3 Fiesta was one of the first cars to feature the option of anti-lock brakes and boasted more interior space than the Mk2.
This example is a special edition Fresco model based on the 49bhp 1.1-litre Popular Plus model and is remarkable in having only covered 29,100 miles in the hands of just three owners.
The Fresco was part of an autumn 1991 promotion for Ford and gained wide body side mouldings, chrome bumper inserts, colour keyed velour carpet and Goodwood seat fabric together with the obligatory digital clock.
With an economical engine and a roomy interior offering seat belts for five, it’s a practical usable classic.
The Fresco was part of an autumn 1991 promotion for Ford and gained wide body side mouldings, chrome bumper inserts, colour keyed velour carpet and Goodwood seat fabric together with the obligatory digital clock.
With an economical engine and a roomy interior offering seat belts for five, it’s a practical usable classic.
The History and Paperwork
- MoT history written in service book
- MoT until 16 May 2023
First registered on 30 September 1991, the third owner of this Fiesta only acquired it in April 2022, meaning that the two previous owners had cared for it for over 30 years between them.
During this time the car only covered 29,100 miles, meaning that it has covered less than 1,000 miles a year.
During this time the car only covered 29,100 miles, meaning that it has covered less than 1,000 miles a year.
According to the DVLA, in 2006 the Fiesta’s mileage was only 17,000 miles, rising to 24,000 miles by 2012. Since then it has recorded less than 6,100 miles so it has clearly been used sparingly.
The Interior
- Interior trim in first rate condition
- Still retains original Ford radio cassette
- Headlining and rear parcel shelf unmarked
Many Fiestas of the early Nineties fell victim to the Max Power era of car mods and had holes hacked in their door card and parcel shelfs to house oversized speakers, so to find an unmodified and original interior is rare.
The condition of the Goodwood fabric trim covering the seats is incredibly good and even the driver’s seat, which usually sees the brunt of the wear, looks in great condition and isn’t torn, worn or sagging.
The condition of the Goodwood fabric trim covering the seats is incredibly good and even the driver’s seat, which usually sees the brunt of the wear, looks in great condition and isn’t torn, worn or sagging.
The original two-spoke steering wheel doesn’t have much evidence of use, while the still clear 4-speed markings on the gear knob and the barely worn pedal rubbers confirm the low mileage. With just 29,100 miles recorded on the clearly layout instruments, it’s a rare find.
The passenger seat and rear seat fabric looks in equally exceptional condition, while the door cards are unmarked and intact. Even the parcel shelf is joyously free from damage, while the headlining appears in great condition and benefits from a sunroof. This may be the original sunroof, too, as it was an extra cost option on the Fresco model. As was the ‘electronic self-seek AM/FM stereo radio cassette’ which looks original and sports a Ford logo.
The dash itself is finished in that strange shade of grey/blue plastic that Ford seemed to favour in the Nineties and is unmarked with all the buttons appearing present and correct.
It’s delightfully fuss free with no complex electronics to go wrong – the manual winding windows with be a novelty to any modern youth!
It’s delightfully fuss free with no complex electronics to go wrong – the manual winding windows with be a novelty to any modern youth!
The boot carpet is unmarked as the front carpeting and lifts up to reveal a near perfect boot floor – even the painted inner wheel arches are clean and scratch free.
The Exterior
- Paintwork in superb condition for age
- Bodywork looks straight and true
- Minimal chips and marks
- New front tyres in 2022
You’d never know that this car was a 31-year-old looking at its shiny and crisp Tasmin Blue paintwork.
It’s probably been repainted at some point, but it’s been well done and you have to look hard to find marks and chips on it.
There are a couple of small touched-in stone chips on the leading edge and top of the bonnet. The bottom of the doors look sharp and the shut lines are straight, while the wheel arches on all four corners look remarkably straight.
The seller notes there are some minor marks and dents on the rear valance but these are hardly noticeable unless you get up close.
It’s probably been repainted at some point, but it’s been well done and you have to look hard to find marks and chips on it.
There are a couple of small touched-in stone chips on the leading edge and top of the bonnet. The bottom of the doors look sharp and the shut lines are straight, while the wheel arches on all four corners look remarkably straight.
The seller notes there are some minor marks and dents on the rear valance but these are hardly noticeable unless you get up close.
There’s also a small scuff on the edge of the passenger side mirror, while the driver’s side mirror appears to have some mastic around its base. The front windscreen has the chassis number stamped on it and sports a Ford dealer sticker so may be original.
Three of the tyre are 155/70-13 Adamas H/P tyres are date-coded week 33, 2021, so were probably fitted as part of the vehicles June service work, while the nearside rear tyre is a Pirelli P2000 dated week 6, 2014. The spare is also a Pirelli P2000. All have good tread and are uncracked. The original spec Ford Fresco wheel trims are still in place and are largely free from marks.
The Mechanics
- Engine sounds good with a fruity exhaust note
- Serviced in June 2022
- Has current MoT
The underside of this car has been undersealed and waxoyled and looks to be in solid condition, indicating fastidious previous owners. There are two keys supplied with it.
Under the bonnet, the engine bay looks commensurate with a low mileage car and the cam cover still retains its original grey paint and stickers.
The slam panel also still sports its original stickers, as well as the VIN plate and paint/trim code plate. It all looks clean and today with no visible rust on the inner wheel arches. The cleanliness under the bonnet points to regular care.
The slam panel also still sports its original stickers, as well as the VIN plate and paint/trim code plate. It all looks clean and today with no visible rust on the inner wheel arches. The cleanliness under the bonnet points to regular care.
The current owner notes that it has been serviced regularly – documented in the service book – and had a recent service carried out in June 2022 at around 29,000 miles when it is understood that some new tyres were fitted and the brakes adjusted.
The seller notes that the engine sounds good and feels like it has plenty of life left in it. It’s said to be light and crisp to drive, with positive feeling steering and a cheeky rasp to the exhaust.
The only thing to note is that the brake pedal felt slightly low, so the seller points out that bleeding the brakes would be wise.
The only thing to note is that the brake pedal felt slightly low, so the seller points out that bleeding the brakes would be wise.
Summary
Ford three-doors always hold a special place in the heart’s of enthusiasts and with XR2 prices now heading firmly into the stratosphere, inevitably – as with Mk1 Golfs – the focus of collectors will then shift to the lesser models such as this humble 1.1 Fresco model.
With just 29,100 miles recorded by just three owners, this is an amazing bit of Ford history that any lovers of Nineties nostalgia will struggle to resist.
We all had one back in the day, but with only a handful of low mileage Fiestas left, this is a rare treat.
We all had one back in the day, but with only a handful of low mileage Fiestas left, this is a rare treat.
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