Ford Fiesta Mk1

Model Introduction

The Mk1 Fiesta was launched in 1976 as Ford’s first front-wheel-drive supermini, designed to take on rivals like the Renault 5 and Fiat 127 in the growing European small car market. Known internally as Project Bobcat, it was developed by Ford of Europe with strong input from Ford’s American design chief Tom Tjaarda who shaped its compact, upright silhouette. The Mk1 featured a transverse engine, MacPherson strut front suspension, and a simple torsion beam rear axle, offering nimble handling, low running costs, and excellent packaging for its size. Its square-cut styling maximised cabin space, and the short, sharply cut-off rear gave it a clean, modern look that stood out from more rounded competitors.

Available at launch with 957cc and 1.1-litre Kent engines, the Fiesta quickly expanded to include a 1.3-litre Supersport and later the 1.6-litre XR2, which gave the lightweight shell serious hot hatch credentials. The XR2, introduced in 1981, featured a distinctive bodykit, round driving lamps, black plastic arch extensions, and ‘pepperpot’ alloy wheels, along with uprated suspension and a 0–60 time under 10 seconds, impressive for the era. The interior was spartan but well thought out with cloth seats, simple switchgear, and good all-round visibility. The Fiesta also benefited from modern production methods, being built at Ford’s new Valencia plant, and it quickly became a mainstay in Ford’s European lineup.

The Mk1 Fiesta was a major hit for Ford, combining sharp pricing, practical design, and easy driving characteristics in a way that resonated with first-time buyers, young families, and fleet operators alike. It sold over a million units in its first five years and laid the foundation for one of Ford’s most successful and enduring nameplates. While the base models were functional and frugal, the sporty XR2 helped build the Fiesta’s enthusiast following, a legacy that continued through until very recently. Now increasingly collectible, especially in Supersport and XR2 form, the Mk1 Fiesta stands as one of the defining small cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s.