Forty pound Farm Find Fiesta - photo's now attached!

[PiperCub]

Yes the carpets are like that, the seat covers remind me of buses from that period. It has had welding to the sills but my mechanic reckons it is pretty solid. The front valance will need some treatment.

 

I bought my earlier one (a 4 speed 1.1) as an emergency stop gap three years ago. It surprised me, it was comfortable and pleasant even on long journeys and I found it quite fun to drive. I ended up keeping it over a year and only sold it as someone I knew was desperate for a cheap car. He did have to spend quite a lot getting it welded for it's mot though.

 

Its still on SORN somewhere.

 

Come to think about it, I recall the seat covers were a bit utilitarian to say the least (OK, read 'Hard-wearing')! But the thing is, I don't remember it being uncomfortable at all, given the mileage I was doing incl. 250ml+ runs in one go, if it had been a literal PITA, I wouldn't have kept it. 

 

Mine was a K-plated 1.1 5-speed, it was also white which was an unusual colour for the time (as in not as common as now) and I found out was owned by the local health authority as district nurse/midwife/health visitor transport. Ultra-povo spec was to keep costs down. (Mine has a rear wiper tho'!!!). The only thing I added was a 12V socket for phone charger/roof light etc as it had no fag lighter as standard but the wiring loom for it was there behind the dash.

 

Put about 20K+ on mine, never had a problem with long runs, used to drive it up and down the country going to various sites, no issues aside from some sill rot to weld up, I serviced it every 5K, took a couple of hours. Great cheapo hack made me a lot of money, would have another. Few about now as assume they've all rotted, worn out or died of old age/neglect. 

[Lord Sterling]

I sold it three years ago to a guy at work who was desperate for a car. It is still showing as sorn so is around somewhere, I know he sold it on.

 

Ah. I thought you had another one recently? I seem to remember saying I'd find you some trims.

 

Although it's not my place to be buying cars now, I really need a Mk3 Fiesta in my life. If you do sell, knock my door first please.

[theorganist]

Ah. I thought you had another one recently? I seem to remember saying I'd find you some trims.

 

Although it's not my place to be buying cars now, I really need a Mk3 Fiesta in my life. If you do sell, knock my door first please.

 

I certainly will. Let me get a couple of things ironed out on it and I will bring it down to Bewdley for you to see if you want?

[theorganist]

Come to think about it, I recall the seat covers were a bit utilitarian to say the least (OK, read 'Hard-wearing')! But the thing is, I don't remember it being uncomfortable at all, given the mileage I was doing incl. 250ml+ runs in one go, if it had been a literal PITA, I wouldn't have kept it. 

 

Mine was a K-plated 1.1 5-speed, it was also white which was an unusual colour for the time (as in not as common as now) and I found out was owned by the local health authority as district nurse/midwife/health visitor transport. Ultra-povo spec was to keep costs down. (Mine has a rear wiper tho'!!!). The only thing I added was a 12V socket for phone charger/roof light etc as it had no fag lighter as standard but the wiring loom for it was there behind the dash.

 

Put about 20K+ on mine, never had a problem with long runs, used to drive it up and down the country going to various sites, no issues aside from some sill rot to weld up, I serviced it every 5K, took a couple of hours. Great cheapo hack made me a lot of money, would have another. Few about now as assume they've all rotted, worn out or died of old age/neglect. 

Mine too lacks a cigar lighter. I think they did rust although I am not sure they are as bad as the mark 4 and the KA! They are comfortable and ride quite well, I read somewhere that Ford used the Renault Super 5 as inspiration for the chassis.

[theorganist]

Perfect, love finding cars in that state and those Fiestas really are the last decent car that Ford knocked up.

Better than an Escort mark 5 even? 

[theorganist]

I have found the bonnet release lever on the floor, have re-attached it but it won't open the bonnet, have tried the assistance of pliers I guess it needs some adjustment, not doing anymore tonight as there are some very ominous looking clouds above.

 

The immobiliser light is on with the ignition off, which I assume it should be but then comes on when the engine is running, which I assume it shouldn't do? Does anyone have any idea why that might be? 

[dollywobbler]

Saving the undesirable. Top notch! They do seem strangely appealing. I thought they were very snazzy when they came out.

[theorganist]

To be honest if you told me a year ago I would have bothered saving one of these from scrap I would have said no way, even after enjoying my first one, however they are appealing, I think they are quite a pretty design. 

 

I remember a what car company car guide from around 1991 summing up the Fiesta Popular Plus as "a good car if you don't like driving"!

[PiperCub]

I have found the bonnet release lever on the floor, have re-attached it but it won't open the bonnet, have tried the assistance of pliers I guess it needs some adjustment, not doing anymore tonight as there are some very ominous looking clouds above.

 

The immobiliser light is on with the ignition off, which I assume it should be but then comes on when the engine is running, which I assume it shouldn't do? Does anyone have any idea why that might be? 

 

Sorry can't help, mine didn't have one. (Other than the kill-switch I put in). Assume it goes out when the transponder in the key disables it.