The first of the sporty 1300 S and 1300 Ghia models followed a few months later, with a 1298 cc engine (66 bhp) which also had stiffer suspension, a revised gearbox and a front stabiliser bar to cope with all that power (these upgrades reached the mainstream range at the end of '81).
The one-millionth Fiesta was built at Saarlouis on 9 January 1979, and further celebrations followed that month when a Fiesta finished 20th on its first time out at the Monte Carlo rally. The general public could get into the rally spirit by opting for a special-order Fiesta, which had its 1300 engine uprated to 75 bhp, twin Weber carburettors, modified exhaust manifold and mufflers, a lower-mounted engine and sports brake pads. Meanwhile, GL models provided a step between the L and Ghia versions, with halogen headlamps, bodyside mouldings, carpets, clock and a radio - what luxuries!
First revisions to the range came at the end of 1980, when the entry-level models gained the badges 'Popular' and 'Popular Plus'. You had to go for Popular Plus to get a tailgate wash/wiper, a centre console, clock, rear parcel shelf and carpets. A month later, the 1300 Supersport models joined the range, based on the 1300 S; these were the first 'sporty' production Fiestas, with alloy wheels, low-profile tyres, lowered suspension and wider track, driving lamps, wheel-arch extensions, sports seats and front and rear spoilers. Few, if any, survive, but they're memorable for not much go and a rock-hard ride.
The two-millionth Fiesta was produced, again at Saarlouis, in March 1981, and the first XR2 joined the range in December 1981. Developed by Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) unit at Dunton, this had a 1598 cc engine (84 bhp), uprated suspension and lowered chassis, a wider track, spoilers, 'pepperpot' alloy wheels with low-profile tyres, front foglamps, flared wheel-arches, sports instruments and ventilated front disc brakes, and it brought a touch of glamour into the range in the run-up to the Mk 2's launch.
