1983 Ford Fiesta XR2

The example available to auction here is an early example, having been registered in April 1983 and has been enjoyed by 10 former owners. The current owner, and vendor, has owned the car for a short time and in that time has tidied the car up ready to be enjoyed by the next loving owner. The car has been detailed, the carburettor has been adjusted, and the standard exhaust has been re-fitted, although an aftermarket example that was previously fitted will come with the car.

This car is a very straight and tidy example having covered a little over 86,000 miles, so a garage queen, this is not. Having said that, the car did spend a long time on a barn in which it was not used – a large gap in the MOT history is evidence of that – but this is far a moss-covered barn find. In fact, as you will see this model, finished in a timeless ‘Strato Silver’, is in fine condition.

The car has lost some of its paperwork, but as you can see from the documents the car has had extensive work in the last few years – this paperwork will come with the car.

When released, the Mk1 XR2 was available in a choice of either Diamond White, Strato Siler, Glacier Blue (this was replaced by Paris Blue), Black and Sunburst Red, which was replaced by Rosso Red. As mentioned, the car offered here is finished in Strato Silver, and the paint looks to be in superb condition.

The famous Pepperpot alloys are also in superb condition, although you’d have to do well to kerb 13” alloys – a far cry from today’s oversized rims! All the glassware and lights look to be in fine condition, along with supporting trims. As well as XR2 badging and decals, there is also a large XR2 decal on the rear window, which the vendor believes is a standard feature, therefore it has remained. It also helps to add to the 80s ambience as well!

Rust is a likely cause for concern, particularly given the car’s age, but the vendor has said this is not an area to be worried about, as it’s well under control. It’s worth stressing this is not rust-free, but the corrosion it has is minimal, and is mostly isolated to the bottom of both doors. You may spot it in the pictures, but it’s not exactly glaringly obvious.

Like the outside, the interior has been well maintained as time has gone by, and despite being on a barn for an extended period of time, there is not a mouse dropping in sight! With it being a small car from yesteryear, there is little in the way of frills, but it’s sure to give you plenty of thrills once you fire it down a backroad.

As you can imagine, there is little in the way of equipment, but that helps to keep the weight down and keeps things simplified. There are no electric windows, so a bit of light elbow grease will need to be applied for whenever you want to open or close the windows, but there is also a sunroof to let even more light and air in.

The vendor has said the sunroof is not leaking, so there should be no worry about receiving an unwelcome – and cold! – shower whilst driving. The vendor has said that the cabin is an airy place to be and that the strip on the windscreen helps to amplify light in cabin, stating that this should definitely brighten your day!

The seats and door cards are in great condition, as is the switchgear, which is free of damaged or worn icons. The interior will need very little attention, but the vendor has said the interior light lens is broken, but a new part could be sourced via eBay or through owner’s clubs.

As touched upon, rust should be of little concern and to back this up, the car has been undersealed, so it can be enjoyed all year round, as it should be. Of course, under the bonnet is the 1.6 litre Kent Crossflow petrol engine which produces 84hp along with 126Nm of torque. The engine has been serviced, although paperwork has been lost along the way.

Looking through the documentation you will see that engine oil and spark plugs were replaced in 2020, but there does not appear to be anything following this, so the new owner may want to consider a service as the first thing on what should be a short to-do list.

In August 2020 a new aftermarket Piper Cams silencer was fitted, but the vendor has re-fitted the standard exhaust for originality. The aftermarket exhaust is still available, though, and will come with the car should the new owner want to fit it.

The car has been a short-term project for the vendor as they wanted to tidy the car up and to move it on. This includes re-fitting the standard exhaust, giving the car a detail and also adjusting the carburettor to ensure the car drives as smooths as it looks.

2020 is when the car received a large chunk of work, including:

• Front and Rear Wheel Bearings replacement

• Front and Rear Brake Hoses replacement

• Thermostat replacement

• Nearside Front Brake Caliper

• Work carried out to pass emissions test

• Heater Matrix replacement

• Rear Shackle Spring Links replacement

• Handbrake shoe replacement

• Brake drum replacement

• Two new Yokohama tyres fitted

• Front and Rear Shock Absorbers replacement

• Carburettor was serviced

• Radiator fan switch was replaced

• Spark plug replacement along with oil and filter change. The front brake pads and the drive belt were also replaced.

In 2021 the coolant hoses were also replaced with performance silicone hoses provided by Roose Motorsport.

There’s not much in the way of MOT history due to fact it was off the road for a long period of time. 2008 saw a clean MOT after some work before failing in 2009. From there it was off the road up until 2020, in which it passed after needing a bit of work to get it through but it passed with a clean MOT February 2022.

The Mk1 XR2 had a short production run and given the fact many of them either rusted away or met their end in a ditch, trying to find one in this day and age will be difficult. It will be even more difficult to find one in this condition. Therefore, this is a rare chance to drive one of the hot hatch greats and these cars will only get rarer (and more expensive).

Though the XR2 isn’t fast on paper, its lightweight and lack of driver aids will more than make up for that. It’s a pocket rocket that is bound to put a smile on your face, and can be enjoyed straight away, and will require little attention.

Fast Fords are highly desirable and are going up in the value, so now could be a great shot to go for the XR2 before lack of numbers left really cause the price to become out of reach. So what are you waiting for? Get those big shoulder pads back on, tune the radio to find Kate Bush (which weirdly at this moment in time is easier than you may think) and soak in the hot hatchback, 80s style.

Our estimate for this car is £15,000 - £20,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Stranraer, Scotland. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.