The Ford Fiesta is an everyday sight on British roads, it’s been through eight generations to be where it is today and the total UK sales for the little hatchback top 4.5 million units! It’s hard to imagine that the initial concept of producing a small, front wheel drive car was a massive risk for the Ford motor company. If it had only known how popular the little car would become it wouldn’t have hesitated. 

After the Mk1 Fiesta launched in the UK in 1977 in the space of only 5 years it would become the best selling car in its class in both Britain and Germany. The history of ‘fast’ Fords would be continued with the Fiesta with the introduction of the Mk1 XR2 in 1981. It set the benchmark as the first 100mph Fiesta.

In 1983 the Mk2 Fiesta was launched with a smoother, more aerodynamic body shape. It wasn’t until 1984 that the UK would receive the Mk2 XR2 as Ford always held back the sporty version until the model had really cemented itself in the market. It launched with a 1.6 litre, single-overhead cam engine, a 5 speed gearbox, low profile tyres as well as improved suspension and brakes. 

The improvements saw the XR2 boast a top speed of 109 mph and a 0-60 time of 9.3 seconds! With performance like that combined with the sporty exterior finish the XR2 quickly became a cult car that was adored by would-be street racers throughout the 1980s. 

The XR2 appears to have spent the majority of its early life in Nottinghamshire where it received regular services throughout the years. The current owner acquired the vehicle via an online auction in January 2020. At the time the car was on 82,000 miles and needed work completing to bring it back to top condition. 

Over the course of the current ownership the car has had the notorious bodywork areas seen too and replaced including: the offside and nearside wheel arches, the nearside and offside outer sills and both offside and nearside inner sills. As well as the bodywork the alloy wheels have all undergone a full refurbishment and the car had a new timing belt, water pump, radiator and choke kit fitted in February 2020. 

During most of current ownership the car was stored in a heated garage for added protection. Sadly after completing the work to bring the XR2 back to its former glory the current owner is now looking to sell due to a lack of use and proper storage. 

The XR2 comes with a large amount of paperwork. The original service book contains a full set of stamps from 1987 to 1999. The original owner certificate is also present within the service book. There are some invoices from the previous owners of XR2 but these are minimal. 

However, there are a large number of past MOT certificates including the most recent certificates. The car will come with a brand new MOT for the sale. The paperwork also includes many invoices and receipts for work that has been carried out on the car during the current ownership. 

Most notably these include the invoices for all five alloy wheels being refurbished, a large bill for the bodywork that was carried out, regular service works, a new thermostat kit, brake caliper overhauls as well as new front brake hoses. Also included is the invoice for the new timing belt, water pump, radiator and choke kit that was fitted in February 2020. 

The interior of the XR2 is in lovely condition throughout, it is clean and well looked after showing very little wear. The seats are all in very good condition with no fading or marks save for one very small cigarette burn to the driver's seat. The colours still look bright and vibrant and the seats remain comfy and supportive. The interior plastics within the XR2 are all in excellent condition.

They look bright and clean with no cracks or splits. All the buttons and switches within the cockpit are present and working as intended, an aftermarket stereo is fitted and will come with the car. The carpeting and floor mats are also in very good condition, they are clean and show only minimal wear. Overall this is a very well maintained and present interior, it is a pleasant and comfy place to be while you enjoy the rasp of the 1.6 and the sporty nature of the XR2.

The outside of the Fiesta is in excellent condition. The paintwork on the car is in amazing condition and the Diamond White paint finish really lives up to its name! The white is a dazzling bright shine that really pops against the black plastic trim and red coach-lines. The plastic trim in question is also in excellent condition with minimal marking, it is a rich deep black and doesn’t show signs of fading. 

The iconic pepper pot alloys are all in excellent condition thanks to the fairly recent refurb. The refurbishment work has been carried out to a very high standard. The body-panels on the XR2 are nice and straight with only one very minor parking ding located on the passenger side. All the badges and stickers are present and correct on the car with no damage for fading. 

Overall this XR2 really is in wonderful condition, there has been no expense spared making the car look fresh and showroom ready and it's good to know that the metal beneath has also been treated to the same level of care. 

The XR2 springs to life instantly at the turn of the key and idles smoothly with no untoward noises. The 1.6 litre still sounds nice and throaty out the back and gives a lovely rasp when its taken up through the revs. The XR2 rides well and is surprisingly comfortable given the sporty nature of the model, even over some of Britain's more nasty speed bumps! 

Gear changes are crisp and the Fiesta pulls well through all the gears. Lifting the bonnet of the Fiesta reveals a very clean and tidy engine bay. The work carried out on the engine has been completed to a high standard with everything looking neat and tidy. The XR2 feels like a car that people will misjudge due to its age and size, it's a small car sure but it still packs a decent punch that can put a big smile on the drivers face and wipe smirks off other drivers.

In a world of model variants and badges the XR2 was top of the pile, the one that you aimed for as a young driver, or even as an adult! This Fiesta XR2 offers buyers a brilliant opportunity to get back some of that 80s nostalgia and the joys of a simple but fun driving experience. The prices of classic Fords have been going from strength to strength for good, solid examples. 

This XR2 offers buyers just that, a well maintained and solid example that gives the driver a full on slice of old school Ford motoring. From the exciting and attractive body styling to that raunchy exhaust note and no nonsense driving experience this Fiesta XR2 will make you feel 17 again, just don’t go getting into street races with it again!