Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
A Ford Fiesta Mk1 Million with just 25,502 miles and one of 11 known survivors!
MODEL HISTORY
In February 1979 and after just 29 months of production, the Mk1 Ford Fiesta hit a major milestone with the one millionth car to roll off the production line. It was the fastest growth to a million sales recorded by any European Ford. To celebrate this incredible landmark occasion Ford released a limited-edition version based on the Fiesta L model and named it the Fiesta Million, or Millionth Edition as it sometimes known. Ford’s Dagenham factory produced just 3,100 Fiesta Million vehicles and they were available in Black or Strato Silver and came equipped with many distinctive features. (Source: Project Bobcat & Motor Sport Magazine Feb 1979)
EQUIPMENT
All steel welded construction, louvred design radiator grille, rear fog light, front air dam, laminated windscreen, tailgate wash/wipe, single tone horn, hazard warning flashers, interior light, 2-speed heater fan, two speed plus flick wipe wipers, foot operated windscreen washer, warning lights for oil pressure, high beam and ignition on, brake fluid level warning indicator. Special Edition ‘Fiesta Million’ equipment; Red decals, all-black bumpers with red bumper inserts, passenger door mirror, black window surrounds, reverse lamp, tinted glass, wider steel wheels, chequered ‘Scott’ seat fabric, headrests, centre console, Quartz clock, radio cassette, heated rear window, Factory Options; Sunroof. Dealer Accessories; Mud flaps, ‘Fiesta Million’ carpet mats.
EXTERIOR
The special edition Ford Fiesta Million was available in just two colours, standard Ford Black and this, Strato Silver Metallic, (Code V6). The car looks superb thanks to the very low 25,502 miles covered and sympathetic historic remedial paintwork carried out to uphold the look. Close scrutiny will reveal a structurally perfect example that has never seen weld repairs and light age-related markings and blemishes throughout. The original decals and badges are preserved and purists will be amazed to see factory fitted glass all round with registration number etching. Incredibly, even the rear wheel arch lip factory date stamps have survived fully visible, almost unheard of for a Mk1 Fiesta! This ultra-rare and historically important Fiesta Million is a really unique find.
INTERIOR
A wonderfully period and time warp interior. Fiesta Million cars were based on the humble Fiesta L model but featured many extras including the exclusive chequered ‘Scott’ seat fabric, (Code A1). This was very similar in design to the Carla Fabric used in the Fiesta Supersport. Remaining exactly as Ford intended, the preserved upholstery is commensurate with the low mileage and has suffered no rips or colour fade whatsoever and nothing other than very light wear to the top corner of each front seat back. The loop pile carpets are protected by specially made Million logo velour mats and the perforated headlining is fully intact. The door cards are unmarked. All equipment, switches and gauges function including the quartz clock and heater fan on both speed settings. There is a hairline crack to the dash front and the padded dash top is perfect homing an identical model car and a Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Fiesta Million buyers could choose either the 957cc engine or in this instance, the 1117cc unit producing a whopping 53bhp! This higher-powered option remains totally factory standard and performance figures include a quoted top speed of 90mph. The engine bay is wonderfully clean, unmolested and displays factory plates and stickers as well as panel stampings to the original inner wings. Coloured PDI dabs are visible, long lost on most examples. The engine sings into life effortlessly with the familiar Fiesta exhaust note and the driving experience is surprisingly nippy and very retro! The four speed all synchromesh gearbox precisely slots into each gear. A real joy to use.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The original steel wheels are in immaculate condition and wear period additions in the form of outer embellishers, bright wheel nut finishers and Ford valve caps, all easily removable if the new owner so wishes. Matching branded 145/80 R12 tyres have masses of tread and no cracks and the original and unused Goodyear Grand Prix X remains in the storage compartment under the boot floor. Standard fitment with the 1100 OHV engine are servo assisted brakes featuring 8.7in front discs and self-adjusting 7.0in rear drums.
HISTORY FILE
Registered new by Ford Main Dealers, Lincoln Street Motors Ltd of Birmingham, on the 3rd May 1979, this genuine Fiesta Million has covered just 25,502 miles from new. Mr F.G Payne purchased the car for his wife, Beatrice Payne, who is the first named owner on the original blue V5 document. The car remained in the Payne family for 29 years in their home town of Solihull until 2008, at which point it was purchased by a collector in Southern Ireland. There are photographs in the history file of the car being homed in a wonderful collection in Ireland and now the car has returned back to the UK with full DVLA registration undertaken. The original service booklet, handbook and Fiesta accessories brochure are present and there are many vehicle service and maintenance invoices made out to Mrs Payne along with previous MOT certificates and two sets of keys.
To emphasise just how special this Fiesta Million is, out of the 3,100 made there are only eleven know to exist and this car is the only one known to be on the road according to source, Project Bobcat, a dedicated Fiesta Mk1 website where further details, vehicle records and articles are shown here. A perfect and insanely rare addition to any classic Ford collection.
HPI Clear.
