フォードフィエスタ

I had the chance to borrow this car for a short while, it's a 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus, early third-generation model.

Although it has low mileage (about 60,000km), the condition is untidy as the owner was only using it as a cheap car. Their family has owned it since 1990!

About 5 years ago, you would still see these quite regularly, but nowadays they have become fairly rare, especially early type ones like this. The third-generation Fiesta was 1989 to 1997.



The paint has faded a lot and you can see some rust problems. The front and rear valances (under the bumper) have been painted black to cover old rust.



There's also some damage to the door and tailgate, also some rust under the fuel filler cap and a hole in the rear valance. Over the years, I've known a lot of people with third-generation Ford Fiestas. It's a popular ordinary car, the closest equivalent in Japan at the time would be the Nissan March or Toyota Starlet. The new Fiesta is a lot bigger though.



Basic Fiestas in "untidy" condition remind me of the cars my friends would have as a first car. It's quite nostalgic! Back then, people would usually save money from a job and buy the cheapest car available. Nowadays, even young drivers seem to drive new cars.



This engine is the 1.1L HCS, an old OHV engine. It's the smaller version of the 1.3L engine in my old Escort. On these engines, the tappets can become loud so they make a tap-tap-tap noise as you drive around. My Escort's engine was quiet, but this one is quite loud and runs a little bit rough too, but an old-fashioned mechanic will be able to fix it. I also notice some oil leaks!



The Popular Plus is quite a basic model, so you don't get many features. But it has a digital clock!



The seats are basic, but quite comfortable.

Anyway, I don't want to add this car to my collection as there's too much work needed. But I hope I can find it a new home.