I think that Ford promoted the class system more than any other manufacturer except for BL. Ghia meant that you were senior management/upper middle class and your car was long journeys. GL meant that you were doing quite well and lower middle class and your car was used quite a lot. L meant that you worked at factory and used the car mainly for going to and from work. The base model meant that you were a woman going on short shopping trips. That's my perception!
What a flashback to the early 90's when I often drove my mothers 1987 Fiesta 1.1 L . With a basic Blaupunkt cassette stereo :) The only option in the car.
I don't have your affection for base models. Even when I was a child looking at these cars I wanted there to be at least front headrests and preferably rear seatbelts and rear headrests. I was safety conscious even then. In my driving career (I voluntarily stopped driving five years ago) I found a passenger side door mirror to be a useful gadget.
My guess is that the XR2's would be delivered to dealerships with alloys fitted and all options. So Ford could advertise a lower price, but sell these desirable cars for top money.
When I was learning to drive, I really wanted a Rosso Red XR2. In reality, I ended up with a 1981 Escort 1.1 (insurance was very prohibitive on anything even slightly sporty). Yes, it is strange how Ford used orange striping for the XR2 decals, when at the same time, they were using black decals for the same-colour XR3i. Also, if you wanted a mk2 Fiesta with solid plastic badges on the tailgate, you had to buy the Ghia!
I like the MK2 Ford Fiesta L 1.6 Diesel, it had a better four vent heating and ventilation system over the Popular and Popular Plus's two vent twin speed heating and ventilation system that gave you warm air at all times from the heater linked outer dashboard vents with higher temperatures selected on the heater temperature knob.. The four vent system at lower temperatures, dispensed cooler air through the central vents, and rapidly warmed air through the outer dashboard vents, getting progressively warmer in the centre vents, as you progress to the warmer end of the temperature knob.
My cousin had an F-plate end-of-line 'Olympus Sport' edition of the 1.4S, in Diamond White, the way she drove it surprised me how quick it was! It puts me in mind of the Peugeot 'Rallye' models and old-school SR Vauxhalls, in that they were stripped-out, sporty yet high-up the range, all at the same time.
The 1.4 CVH was pretty quick. The 'frisky' 1.4S is a weird one. It has the XR2's steering wheel, wheel trims and 140mph speedometer, yet it also has the same thin Fleece carpets as the Popular, and the same seat coverings, door cards and centre console as the Popular Plus.
You used to be able to instantly recognise a fast Ford, from a distance. Now to spot a Focus ST or Fiesta ST, you have to see the badge on the boot, it's just a little red badge now!
I appreciate what you are saying, but there are more differences than that on an ST. Granted differences are perhaps more subtle now and the ST Line models have drastically detracted from the real deal.
@@michaelb9664 exactly, what's an ST line? What is it? Is it an ST or not? Its like the Fiesta ST mk 7, the Zetec S looked similar, you have to look at the boot. If I take my ST badge off my Mk6 Fiesta, it looks like a standard Fiesta I've just put alloys on.
@@richardburns5925 an ST Line is not an ST. It has standard Fiesta mechanicals and performance. It just has a few similar looking bits and pieces on the outside. ST wheels are still different, the bumpers are still different, the exhausts are different etc. There are also ST only colours, but granted other colours are interchangeable between the range.
Electric windows were never fitted to these, despite having two oblong blanking plates on the centre console on L and above. Maybe it was because by design, the doors were too thin for motors to be fitted.
Ford must have upgraded the ‘L’ spec later on during the Mk2 run. My Mum had an early Mk2 1.1 L and it had the same dashboard style as the Popular and Popular Plus shown in your brochure. I owned a Rosso Red XR2, sadly I don’t have fond memories of it. It was a car who’s image and reputation were far bigger than what the car could deliver. Mine was also very unreliable.
I think that Ford promoted the class system more than any other manufacturer except for BL. Ghia meant that you were senior management/upper middle class and your car was long journeys. GL meant that you were doing quite well and lower middle class and your car was used quite a lot. L meant that you worked at factory and used the car mainly for going to and from work. The base model meant that you were a woman going on short shopping trips. That's my perception!
These were super popular new and used! Everyone wanted an XR2!
What a flashback to the early 90's when I often drove my mothers 1987 Fiesta 1.1 L . With a basic Blaupunkt cassette stereo :) The only option in the car.
A friend of mine had the Ghia. Nice comfy seats
Certainly look nicer seats on the Ghia
Quite a few of my friends and associates at college (late 1990s) had mark 2 Fiestas.
Certainly a popular car in its day.
Nice too see this MK2 fiesta mate
I don't have your affection for base models. Even when I was a child looking at these cars I wanted there to be at least front headrests and preferably rear seatbelts and rear headrests. I was safety conscious even then. In my driving career (I voluntarily stopped driving five years ago) I found a passenger side door mirror to be a useful gadget.
My guess is that the XR2's would be delivered to dealerships with alloys fitted and all options. So Ford could advertise a lower price, but sell these desirable cars for top money.
When I was learning to drive, I really wanted a Rosso Red XR2. In reality, I ended up with a 1981 Escort 1.1 (insurance was very prohibitive on anything even slightly sporty). Yes, it is strange how Ford used orange striping for the XR2 decals, when at the same time, they were using black decals for the same-colour XR3i. Also, if you wanted a mk2 Fiesta with solid plastic badges on the tailgate, you had to buy the Ghia!
I like the MK2 Ford Fiesta L 1.6 Diesel, it had a better four vent heating and ventilation system over the Popular and Popular Plus's two vent twin speed heating and ventilation system that gave you warm air at all times from the heater linked outer dashboard vents with higher temperatures selected on the heater temperature knob..
The four vent system at lower temperatures, dispensed cooler air through the central vents, and rapidly warmed air through the outer dashboard vents, getting progressively warmer in the centre vents, as you progress to the warmer end of the temperature knob.
I remember the sporty looking 1.4S too
My granny had a 1988 one a Laser here in Ireland. Was a lovely little car, well trimmed and had a nice sunroof. Was probably a run out special?
Lovely
Always fancied a 1.4S as I could never afford to insure an XR2, also the S was quite unusual at the time and quite cool!
My cousin had an F-plate end-of-line 'Olympus Sport' edition of the 1.4S, in Diamond White, the way she drove it surprised me how quick it was! It puts me in mind of the Peugeot 'Rallye' models and old-school SR Vauxhalls, in that they were stripped-out, sporty yet high-up the range, all at the same time.
The 1.4 CVH was pretty quick. The 'frisky' 1.4S is a weird one. It has the XR2's steering wheel, wheel trims and 140mph speedometer, yet it also has the same thin Fleece carpets as the Popular, and the same seat coverings, door cards and centre console as the Popular Plus.
I had MK2 XR2 D reg, but I do remember that the later mk2 XR2 had central locking and the same as the Ghia model. 🤔
You used to be able to instantly recognise a fast Ford, from a distance. Now to spot a Focus ST or Fiesta ST, you have to see the badge on the boot, it's just a little red badge now!
I appreciate what you are saying, but there are more differences than that on an ST. Granted differences are perhaps more subtle now and the ST Line models have drastically detracted from the real deal.
@@michaelb9664 exactly, what's an ST line? What is it? Is it an ST or not? Its like the Fiesta ST mk 7, the Zetec S looked similar, you have to look at the boot. If I take my ST badge off my Mk6 Fiesta, it looks like a standard Fiesta I've just put alloys on.
@@richardburns5925 an ST Line is not an ST. It has standard Fiesta mechanicals and performance. It just has a few similar looking bits and pieces on the outside. ST wheels are still different, the bumpers are still different, the exhausts are different etc. There are also ST only colours, but granted other colours are interchangeable between the range.
We had a new 87 E reg 950L decent car
Very nice - appreciate the comment
Electric windows were never fitted to these, despite having two oblong blanking plates on the centre console on L and above. Maybe it was because by design, the doors were too thin for motors to be fitted.
Ford must have upgraded the ‘L’ spec later on during the Mk2 run.
My Mum had an early Mk2 1.1 L and it had the same dashboard style as the Popular and Popular Plus shown in your brochure.
I owned a Rosso Red XR2, sadly I don’t have fond memories of it. It was a car who’s image and reputation were far bigger than what the car could deliver. Mine was also very unreliable.
A reminder that we often look back with rose tinted spectacles.
@@quarterlight yes indeed! Looking at the prices of Old Fords now it seems nostalgia is very powerful.