THE FORD FIESTA Mk. I - A TRIBUTE

Readers of Auto Express will no doubt have seen this article - Ford Fiesta set to be axed - Ford Fiesta set to be axed | Auto Express. And this makes for a timely opportunity for an appreciation of the original model of over 46 years ago.

In fact, the Fiesta story dates from as early as the 30th of September 1969 when Ford of Europe contemplated building a 'supermini'. Ford initiated the £550 million 'Project Bobcat' three years later, evaluating 48 potential competitors. They also tested various forms of the Kent engine in a 127 bodyshell; some 25 Fiats are believed to have been involved in the test programme. Meanwhile, ideas for names included Bambi, Bebe, Bravo, Bolero, Cherie to Chico, Forito, Metro, Pony, Sierra, and Tempo. Most executives preferred Bravo – however, Fiesta was the choice of Henry Ford II.

When manufacturing began in July of 1976, many drivers were amazed by the latest Ford. It was not the first FWD car to wear the blue oval, but the 1962-66 P4 Taunus was never exactly a common sight in the UK. By contrast, the Fiesta, with its very smart bodywork devised by Tom Tjaarda, looked ideal for anyone otherwise pondering a 127, a VW Polo, a Renault 5, a Peugeot 104 or a Mini Clubman.

Fiestas destined for the UK and Ireland were made in Dagenham. Ford moved production of the RHD Granada to Cologne to create extra factory space. However, it did not appear at the 1976 London Motor Show, and British motorists had to wait until the 2nd of February 1977 for sales to begin. Ford GB built 10,000 cars in readiness and trained their 380 dealers in servicing a front-wheel-drive transverse engine vehicle.

Ford initially offered the Fiesta with 957cc and 1,117cc engines and four trim levels. Prices started at £1,856 for the ''Base' with all the luxury of a British Rail waiting room. The 'L' at least featured a heated rear window, fabric trim, reclining front seats with a choice of five positions, a reversing light and halogen headlamps. For the junior-league medallion man, the S had "sports suspension", an anti-roll bar, 'go-faster' stripes, 'Cadiz upholstery and fresh air vents (!). Plus, the Ghia was perfect for the driver who demanded the finest "Mahogany effect instrument binnacle" available to humanity for their £2,756.

Car complained about the Fiesta's "lack of character", and, in a very 1977 observation: "Ford make no secret of the fact that it is designed very much with women in mind, and if they want a car that will do the job without any fuss at all, then they'll love it". Motor observed of the S "In our judgement, therefore, the Fiesta is a good car, but one which does not set new standards, particularly in refinement". However, Motor Sport was far more enthusiastic:

Only brief notes are required from me, to endorse its excellence, gleaned from driving the L-version for over 2,000 trouble-free miles within a month of its UK release. As you use it daily, and delve into its engineering ingenuities, its brilliant concept becomes even more apparent.

By the end of 1977, the S and the Ghia were available in 1.3-litre form. The range would eventually include the GL and the Popular. Ford sold a million Fiestas in under three years, and the last significant development of the Mk. 1 took place in 1981, with the launch of the XR2 – "Highly tuned but not highly strung".

Production of the Mk. I ended in August 1983, and the Fiesta is now in its seventh incarnation. So, in tribute to the first-generation version, here is the British launch advertised voiced by the great Patrick Allen, which promised "a very advanced baby":