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 neat & tidy 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.

The car offered here is a 1983 XR2 in exceptionally original condition. Sparkling in the classic Ford colour of Caspian Blue, this car is a multi-award winning Concours example.

It has covered just 32,000 miles in 33 years, but frankly, with its state of preservation and maintenance, it could be one tenth of that. Having been treated to rust-proofing from new, it has all its original panels, glass, alloy wheels (fitted with perfect Pirelli P6 tyres) plus an unused spare. It is completely unmodified and has a new genuine Ford exhaust.

The car was bought new by an elderly couple in Northern Ireland who used it sparingly up until 1988 but must have really enjoyed their sporty little Fiesta as they then bought a Mk2 XR2 for daily use. Consequently, the earlier car was laid-up in the garage and was unused, having covered 29,000 miles, until 2000. The couple then sold the car to a Ford enthusiast, who re-commissioned it for occasional use and for showing at car events. This XR2 won several Concours d' Elegance in Northern Ireland, accumulating quite a collection of trophies which will come with the car. In addition, there is also the original service book showing three stamps from the supplying Ford main dealer, numerous old MoT & SORN certificates, all original manuals and a spare key.

Rarely do cars of this standard leave collections. Almost as infrequently, do we describe cars as immaculate, but both mechanically and cosmetically, this little XR2 really is just that. This example, not to be confused with other run-of-the-mill XR2s, is surely one of the best available, and would be welcomed at any Ford marque event. The market interest in classic Fords is widening, with enthusiasts and collectors wanting to seek out immaculate examples of cars that, perhaps, they really wanted during their boyhood.

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