Hi people
I’ve been meaning to create a thread for my Fiesta, as lots of people seem to have a soft spot for the Mk2. So far I haven’t done much to her so didn’t see the point in starting a thread. But now I’m intending to begin getting some little bits done, so thought it was worth starting one – even if they are only small jobs to start with.
I have a Subaru as my daily, so wanted a new project car to mess around with on spare days. I’ve had a couple of other project retro cars, but they’ve been more costly and time consuming cars (such as a 944) and this little Fiesta fit the bill much better. I’m a complete amateur with no mechanical experience, but with a dad and best mate who know what they’re doing, who will help out. Wish me luck
Heidi is a 1.1 Popular Plus, in Ford burgundy red. I bought her a year or so ago, from a lovely lady who said in the advert that her “four wheeled friend is in need of a new owner”. I knew with an advert like that I was going to like the car, and I’m happy to say I bought it immediately over the phone and have had it for over a year since.
The car came with expired tax, expired MOT, but all of its documents and lots of history as well as only 55,000 miles on the clock. It also came with an almost mint and completely original interior – inside it feels like it’s a couple of years old at most. I was very happy with this.
The outside of the car is far from perfect, Heidi has seen a few shopping trolleys and certainly won’t be winning any beauty contests just yet. But there is nothing missing, and all of the imperfections give the car a real character, so I’m thoroughly taken with her.
So far I have serviced the car, changing the oil and filters, plugs, rotor arm, dizzy cap and probably a few other little bits I’ve forgotten. The car drives beautifully, and has always started first time even in the cold. A relief having bought the car ‘as seen’. The engine runs really sweetly, especially since servicing it. I love how simple these cars are, the engine looks like it should be powering a lawn mower! I love driving it too, especially after getting out of a big car like an Impreza, it feels so light.
My plan is to leave the bodywork for as long as possible, and focus on the other jobs first. There are a few little spots of rust, but certainly nothing major. I am confident they are only cosmetic, and will find out when the car goes for a fresh MOT next week. So there will be some welding ahead but at the moment the idea of welding feels a bit beyond me. My mate is already talking about teaching me to use his MIG so we’ll see!
The car goes fine, but takes two or three days to stop. So first up will be the brakes. After that I’ll do something with the wheels – as the steels are so tatty I think they may be beyond bothering with. And then will come the decision of whether to keep it as standard as possible, or whether to tinker with it slightly and lower it (as seems to be the Mk2 way). I’m not sold on lowering the car as I love cars to be standard, but again, we’ll see.
That’s all for now. Sorry the pics are not very good – these are from the ‘for sale’ ad. Better pictures will follow as I begin working on the car. All suggestions and recommendations are welcome. Feel free to make comments or point out any mistakes I make along the way. Thanks for reading..
I’ve been meaning to create a thread for my Fiesta, as lots of people seem to have a soft spot for the Mk2. So far I haven’t done much to her so didn’t see the point in starting a thread. But now I’m intending to begin getting some little bits done, so thought it was worth starting one – even if they are only small jobs to start with.
I have a Subaru as my daily, so wanted a new project car to mess around with on spare days. I’ve had a couple of other project retro cars, but they’ve been more costly and time consuming cars (such as a 944) and this little Fiesta fit the bill much better. I’m a complete amateur with no mechanical experience, but with a dad and best mate who know what they’re doing, who will help out. Wish me luck
Heidi is a 1.1 Popular Plus, in Ford burgundy red. I bought her a year or so ago, from a lovely lady who said in the advert that her “four wheeled friend is in need of a new owner”. I knew with an advert like that I was going to like the car, and I’m happy to say I bought it immediately over the phone and have had it for over a year since.
The car came with expired tax, expired MOT, but all of its documents and lots of history as well as only 55,000 miles on the clock. It also came with an almost mint and completely original interior – inside it feels like it’s a couple of years old at most. I was very happy with this.
The outside of the car is far from perfect, Heidi has seen a few shopping trolleys and certainly won’t be winning any beauty contests just yet. But there is nothing missing, and all of the imperfections give the car a real character, so I’m thoroughly taken with her.
So far I have serviced the car, changing the oil and filters, plugs, rotor arm, dizzy cap and probably a few other little bits I’ve forgotten. The car drives beautifully, and has always started first time even in the cold. A relief having bought the car ‘as seen’. The engine runs really sweetly, especially since servicing it. I love how simple these cars are, the engine looks like it should be powering a lawn mower! I love driving it too, especially after getting out of a big car like an Impreza, it feels so light.
My plan is to leave the bodywork for as long as possible, and focus on the other jobs first. There are a few little spots of rust, but certainly nothing major. I am confident they are only cosmetic, and will find out when the car goes for a fresh MOT next week. So there will be some welding ahead but at the moment the idea of welding feels a bit beyond me. My mate is already talking about teaching me to use his MIG so we’ll see!
The car goes fine, but takes two or three days to stop. So first up will be the brakes. After that I’ll do something with the wheels – as the steels are so tatty I think they may be beyond bothering with. And then will come the decision of whether to keep it as standard as possible, or whether to tinker with it slightly and lower it (as seems to be the Mk2 way). I’m not sold on lowering the car as I love cars to be standard, but again, we’ll see.
That’s all for now. Sorry the pics are not very good – these are from the ‘for sale’ ad. Better pictures will follow as I begin working on the car. All suggestions and recommendations are welcome. Feel free to make comments or point out any mistakes I make along the way. Thanks for reading..
