1983 Ford Fiesta XR2

Lot details Registration No: ATO 561Y Chassis No: VS6BXXWPFBCR52651 MOT: July 2024 98,000 recorded and credible miles on the odometer Benefitting from paintwork improvements during the current ownership Entered from a small private collection with a number of fast Fords Finished in Black, this XR2 has the correct Red pinstripe accents around the body and the Grey gradient decals A highly sort-after hot hatch! PLEASE NOTE: The MOT offered with this lot is until July 2024. This lot is going through a registration number transfer currently. The registration number showing on the car is the registration number it will be allocated with. Ford finally entered the mini-car market in 1976 with the launch of the Fiesta. The model proved an unqualified success right from the word go but surprisingly, it took nearly six years before a genuine performance version was added to the range, in the form of the XR2. This sporting model may well have been inspired by the famous success of the two Ford Fiestas in the 1979 Monte Carlo Rally with the British entry driven by Roger Clark and aided by co-driver Jim Porter, and a German entry piloted by Ari Vatanen and co-driven by David Richards. Both cars were highly modified and were powered by competition tuned versions of the 1600cc Kent 'crossflow' engine - a later version of which was fitted in the Fiesta XR2, launched in 1981. Visually, the XR2 popped into the limelight in a range of new colours, with alloy wheels, large circular driving lamps, and black plastic trim decorating the interior and exterior. With a quoted performance of 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds and 105 mph top speed, the XR2 ‘hot-hatch’ became a cult car beloved of boy racers throughout the 1980s. Manufactured in 1983 and supplied new to the United Kingdom, the XR2 offered was first registered on the 25th of May that year. Finished in Black, this XR2 has the correct Red pinstripe accents around the body and the Grey gradient decals, and features a notably tidy Shark Grey crushed velour upholstered with 'Storm' striped centre sections, with the same finish on the door cards. Featuring the iconic front spotlights and riding on the correct 13" x 6" 'pepperpot’ alloy wheels, the XR2 entered into the current small private collection around four years ago, which includes several Fast Fords. Now offered following the arrival and restoration of a Mk1 Fiesta Supersport, the XR2 is offered with a recorded and credible mileage of c.98,000 miles on the odometer. Benefitting from bodywork and paintwork improvements during the current ownership, described by the vendor as an ‘honest and very usable classic’, having previously been provided with significant improvement in a previous ownership around 2012. Serviced annually during the current ownership, the Fiesta also currently has a no advisory MOT until July this year and is due to have an updated MOT test in time for sale. Also offered with the owner's handbook, operating guide, dealer guide, and motorists guide, all presented in the original wallet, there is also a collection of previous MOTs and invoices accompanying. The market in classic ‘hot-hatches’ has been warming up in recent years with enthusiasts and collectors wanting to seek out examples of the car they wanted in their teenage years, and the XR2 is always one that is at the top of the list. For more information, please contact: Paul Cheetham paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk 07538 667452