By Classic Yorkshire contributor, Tony Lofthouse
In the year remembered for its scorching Summer, Ford brought us the Fiesta – a car that would ‘hot up’ car sales for decades to come.
This three-door hatchback was initially launched in France and Germany in 1976, before right-hand drive Fiestas arrived here at the start of 1977.
It was a bold decision on Ford’s part to move into the ‘supermini’ market where cars like the Renault 5, Fiat 127 and the Vauxhall Chevette were clocking up big sales, but Ford felt their focus on affordability and reliability could win the day.
The first Fiestas cost an impressive £1,856 and measured just 3.5 metres in length. They came in two engine sizes – 953cc and 1,117cc.
It was an instant hit with its all round efficiency, low-cost motoring, decent boot space (for a small car) and natty, if functional, interior.
In the UK alone Ford would sell over 4.8 million Fiestas over 47 years.
Six interesting facts about the Fiesta
- The car was developed under the code name ‘Project Bobcat’
- The first Fiestas were made in Valencia with production starting in 1975
- It would be assembled in at least 11 more countries from China to Brazil
- The Fiesta was made in Dagenham between 1976 and 2002
- The last Fiesta rolled off the production line in Germany three years ago
- It was named What Car? Car of the Year in 1989 and 2009.
Fast forward to 2023 and the Mk7 Fiesta still came with a 1.0 litre engine, but turbocharged to produce twice the output of the early Fiesta.
It’s fair to say this is a car that will not go away! According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 917,314 used Fiestas changed hands between 2023 and 2025 – nearly 180,000 more than the second best used seller, the Vauxhall Corsa.
I confess, I’ve never owned a Fiesta. Instead, in my early driving days I chose a Chrysler Sunbeam (in error) followed by a VW Polo (I enjoyed my early CL). That’s come at a cost with the Fiesta consistently winning out on affordability, reliability and just cheap repair costs.
Fifty years on, this ground-breaking Ford looks likely to stay a top seller for a few years to come.