August 1976: The European launch of the Ford Fiesta, Ford's first car in the new market sector known as 'super-mini' (in those days, pundits put in a hyphen). In the aftermath of the fuel crisis, manufacturers worldwide were launching small, economical cars, and realised that budget buyers often wanted more than the two doors and restricted interior space offered by the original Mini.
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Ford was by no means the first manufacturer to produce a practical three-door hatchback with compact dimensions, nor was the Fiesta its first front-wheel-drive vehicle as is often claimed, but the Fiesta offered a larger cabin and was better packaged than the Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Chevette, Fiat 127, Honda Civic or Renault 5. Weighing just 700 kg, it was both fuel-efficient and manoeuvrable, and Ford claimed that it was the most aerodynamic car of its class. Project Bobcat, as it was called, was given the go-ahead in December 1973. It was developed by teams in Cologne in Germany and Dunton in England, and went into production at three centres: Saarlouis in Germany, Valencia in Spain and the Dagenham plant in Essex. Going on sale in mainland Europe in summer 1976 (right-hand drive sales followed in February 1977) three versions were offered at launch.
Two transversely-mounted engines were available: an 1117 cc unit developing 53 bhp, and a 957 cc unit that came either in low-compression 40 bhp form, to run on cheap, low-octane, two star petrol, or a high-compression 45 bhp, running on four-star. Fifth gear was but a dream, although the four gears you did get were set close and low for quick progress about town. UK prices started at £2114, and the entry-level specification offered a folding rear seat, rubber floor mats, two-speed windscreen wipers and front disc brakes. Hey, you were lucky to get wind-down windows in those days. You had to trade up to the 'L' model to get carpets, door pockets, cloth trim instead of vinyl and a heated rear windscreen, and these early L versions also had chrome bumpers instead of black ones. Ghia models, which initially came only with the 1117 cc engine, had headrests, fetching woodgrain trim and velour upholstery.
