Ford did not know it at the time, of course, but the introduction of the first Fiesta in 1976 marked the start of a very successful career. The first generation of the compact model lasted until 1983 on paper, but actually remained more or less the same until 1989.
The Ford Fiesta MK1, as the first generation is officially referred to, fell into a field full of fresh competitors in 1976. The Volkswagen Polo had appeared a year earlier, its base Audi 50 even a year earlier and the Germans were already well behind the French and Italians, who, with the Renault 5 and Fiat 127, had been a really compact hatchback. And oh yes, Peugeot had of course the 104 in the range, which finally got a ‘fifth door’ in 1976.
Three-door only
Ford made serious work of its ‘supermini’ and came up with a modern looking car with a sleek, tidy body, front-wheel drive and a large tailgate. A slightly ascending side window and a striking fold over the entire length of the flank made it nicely recognizable, but especially the front did a solid contribution in that area. The headlamps protruded prominently above the grille, while the turn signals were mounted directly below those headlamps.
Unimaginable in the present day is that the Fiesta came in just one body shape: it was always a three-door hatchback, unless you consider the rear seat-less ‘van’ version based on it as a distinct body shape.
If your own husband fails, you can always ask another man. Father and son think their own and are eagerly looking for a new passenger.
The originally very thin bumpers were replaced in 1981 by slightly thicker ones, but the first real major change did not occur until 1983. According to the official account, the Fiesta entered its second generation in that year, but in fact the Fiesta MK2 was a firmly facelifted version of the first edition. The focus of the innovation was, as usual, on the front, although there is also enough to say about the back. The ‘stacked’ lights of the original gave way to more rounded viewers and corner indicators. The boundary between these more visible indicators and the new headlamps, remarkably enough, does not connect with the gap between the front wing and bonnet, which was pulled further down by a smaller grille.
New tailgate
Although the rear remained unchanged at a quick glance, the post-1983 tailgate is completely new. Where previously a ‘hollow’ space had been provided between the rear lights, a straight panel with a fold like the one on the sides now appeared. The number plate was given a separate recess in it. The rear lights on the MK2 come in three instead of two colors, so that a separate reversing light is no longer necessary for this generation.
Of course, Ford did not stick to what appearances in this ‘generation change’, but the car was also thoroughly modernized in other areas. The technology was examined and new engines appeared, for which there was suddenly also space thanks to the slightly convex hood. A completely new dashboard completed the modernization process.