Ford Fiesta (first generation)
Ford Fiesta Mk1 | |
---|---|
BC4 manual | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,286 mm (90.0 in) |
Length | 3,565 mm (140.4 in) |
Width | 1,567 mm (61.7 in) |
Height | 1,360 mm (54 in) |
Chronology | |
Successor | Ford Fiesta (second generation) Ford Escort (North America) Ford Festiva (North America) |
The Ford Fiesta Mk1 is the first generation of the
History
The Fiesta was originally developed under the project name "Bobcat" (not to be confused with the subsequent
Ford estimated that 500,000 Fiestas a year would be produced, and built an all-new
The motoring press had begun speculating about the existence of the Bobcat project since 1973, but it was not until December 1975 that Ford officially announced it as the Fiesta.[3] A Fiesta was on display at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 1976, and a few rallys.
The name Fiesta belonged to
Mechanically, the Fiesta adopted the now industry-standard mechanical layout pioneered by Fiat with a transverse mounted engine coupled to an end-on four-speed
Unlike several rivals, which used
Model history
Although not the first Ford vehicle to feature
It was only the second hatchback supermini to have been built in the UK at this stage, being launched a year after the Vauxhall Chevette, but nearly a year before the launch of the Chrysler Sunbeam and four years before the Austin Metro. The millionth Fiesta was produced in 1979.[1]
The car was initially available in Europe with the Valencia 957 cc (58.4 cu in)
At the beginning of the British government's Motability scheme for disabled motorists in 1978, the Fiesta was one of the key cars to be available on the scheme.[8]
A sporting derivative (1.3 L Supersport) was offered in Europe for the 1980 model year, using the 1.3 L (79 cu in) Kent Crossflow engine, effectively to test the market for the similar XR2 introduced a year later, which featured a 1.6 L version of the same engine. Black plastic trim was added to the exterior and interior. The small square headlights were replaced with larger circular ones resulting in the front indicators being moved into the bumper to accommodate the change. With a quoted performance of 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 9.3 seconds and 105 mph (169 km/h) top speed, the XR2
For the 1979 auto show season, Ford in conjunction with its Ghia Operations in Turin, Italy, produced the Ford Fiesta Tuareg off-road car. It was touted in press materials as "a concept vehicle designed and equipped for practical, off-road recreational use."[9]
Minor revisions appeared across the range in late 1981, with larger bumpers to meet crash worthiness regulations and other small improvements in a bid to maintain showroom appeal ahead of the forthcoming second generation.
It was well-received on most European markets, particularly the United Kingdom, where it was the ninth best selling car in its first year, and by 1981 it was the third best seller. However, in 1982 it was outsold by BL's new Austin Metro, and with a host of new superminis being launched across Europe between September 1982 and June 1983, Ford was keen to update the Fiesta in order to keep it competitive with its rivals.
Specifications
Model | Displacement | Type code | Power | Top Speed | 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) (s) | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
950 low compression[10][11] | 957 cc (58.40 cu in) | Valencia | 40 hp (41 PS; 30 kW) | 81 mph (130 km/h) | 18.6 | 1976–1983 |
950 normal compression[12][13] | 957 cc (58.40 cu in) | Valencia | 44 hp (45 PS; 33 kW) | 85 mph (137 km/h) | 16.6 | 1976–1983 |
1.1[14] | 1,117 cc (68.16 cu in) | Valencia | 52 hp (53 PS; 39 kW) | 90 mph (145 km/h) | 15.2 | 1976–1981 |
1.1[15] | 1,117 cc (68.16 cu in) | Valencia | 54 hp (55 PS; 40 kW) | 90 mph (145 km/h) | 15.1 | 1981–1983 |
1.1 Economy[16] | 1,117 cc (68.16 cu in) | Valencia | 55 hp (56 PS; 41 kW) | 90 mph (145 km/h) | 15.1 | 1982–1983 |
1.1 X[17] | 1,117 cc (68.16 cu in) | Valencia | 69 hp (70 PS; 51 kW) | 99 mph (159 km/h) | 11.3 | 1980–1981 |
1.3[18][19] | 1,298 cc (79.21 cu in) | Crossflow | 65 hp (66 PS; 48 kW) | 98 mph (158 km/h) | 11.6 | 1977–1983 |
1.3 RS[20] | 1,298 cc (79.21 cu in) | Crossflow | 74 hp (75 PS; 55 kW) | 103 mph (166 km/h) | 11.2 | 1979–1981 |
1.6 RS[21] | 1,599 cc (97.58 cu in) | Crossflow | 90 hp (91 PS; 67 kW) | 103 mph (166 km/h) | 9.6 | 1980 |
1.6 XR2[22] | 1,599 cc (97.58 cu in) | Crossflow | 83 hp (84 PS; 62 kW) | 106 mph (171 km/h) | 9.5 | 1981–1983 |
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Fiesta Festival (EU) front
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Fiesta (EU) rear
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1979 Fiesta Ghia (US), front
Convertible conversions
Crayford
In 1981, coachbuilders Crayford developed a convertible version of the Fiesta, which was dubbed the Fiesta Fly.[23] Designed by David McMullan, the Fiesta Fly had a permanently welded-shut boot, with a plastic sill fitted to prevent the car from needing to be repainted.[23] The production history of the Fiesta Fly is not clear; but the common claim that only 20 or so cars were built is probably untrue; it is believed that this figure refers to the number built by Crayford, rather than the number built in total.[24] What is known is that Dorset-based firm F. English Coachwork Division bought the rights to produce the Fiesta Fly sometime in 1982, and Autocar reported in September 1983 that about 100 Fiesta Fly conversions had been produced.[25] It is believed that F. English built around 200 Fiesta Flys, with 83 known to survive.[24] Crayford also reportedly built two Fiesta Flys based on the Mk2 Fiesta.[23] It was also possible to purchase any production Fiesta model in Fiesta Fly form,[26] not just the 1300 and XR2 models as often reported.[27]
References
- ^ a b "The History of The Fiesta". Project Bobcat. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ "Still going strong, Ford's youthful spirited Fiesta is celebrating its 30th birthday". Media.Ford.com. 25 August 2006.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Severson, Aaron (27 November 2013). "Party Downsize: The Ford Fiesta Mk1 and Mk2". Ate Up With Motor. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ "Retrospective: Ford Fiesta: 30th Anniversary". Channel 4. 10 February 2006. Archived from the original on 17 December 2009.
- ^ Armstrong, Douglas (October 1976). "Hard Hitting Fiesta From Ford". SA Motor: 43.
- ^ "Hammond's trip down memory lane – Norfolk Motoring News, Road Tests and more". EDP24. Retrieved 10 September 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ford Fiesta Global Heritage" (PDF). Media.Ford.com. April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "1978: Motability gets moving in the UK". BBC News. 25 July 1978.
- ^ "Fiesta Tuareg Press Release & Press Photo". The Crittenden Automotive Library. 1979.
- ^ "1976 Ford Fiesta 1.0 (low compr.) (model since October 1976 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1981 Ford Fiesta 1.0 (low compr.) (model since September 1981 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1981 Ford Fiesta 1.0 (model since October 1976 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1981 Ford Fiesta 1.0 (model since September 1981 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1976 Ford Fiesta 1.1 (model since October 1976 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1981 Ford Fiesta 1.1 (model since September 1981 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1982 Ford Fiesta 1.1 L Economy (model since September 1982 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1982 Ford Fiesta X (model since mid-year 1980 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1977 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia (model since mid-year 1977 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1981 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia (model since September 1981 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1979 Ford Fiesta S 1.3 RS (model since mid-year 1979 for Europe ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1980 Ford Fiesta Series X 1.6 RS (model since February 1980 for Europe U.K.) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "1981 Ford Fiesta XR-2 (model since September 1981 for Europe) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ a b c "Fiesta Fly". Crayford Convertible Car Club. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Introduction". The Fiesta Fly. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ "Fiesta Fly". Autocar. 25 June 1983.
- ^ "Fly Projections June 1983". The Fiesta Fly. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ "The Fiesta Cabriolet". Project Bobcat. Retrieved 20 January 2015.