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Saturday 10:00 - Fiesta Mk1 Supersport, black, very original, excellent condition, phone for further details, £1200 ono
I've had a soft spot for Mk1 Fiestas since the late-'80s when, as an eager 18-year-old in a 1000cc Mini, I'd break out into a cold sweat if ever a bright-red, Coca-Cola-liveried Mk1 pulled up alongside at the lights in downtown High Wycombe. Cola Boy would lay waste to anyone that tried to take him on, and believe me everyone I know tried.
Years later I found out why: nestling under the bonnet was a 1760. In such a light shell, he probably just planted his foot and laughed all the way to the next set of lights.
And that's why Mk1s make great track-day cars. A well worked-over crossflow in a light and nimble shell means bags of cheap fun, and there's a bucketload of tuning parts available, too.
Off down to Cheddar Gorge to view this Supersport then - arguably the most desirable of Mk1s. Owner, Mike's had the car six years and has been using it as a family runabout, but with a MGB now in the garage, it's time to move it on. It's been rustproofed from new and the previous owner kept fastidious records. It shows as the shell is mint. Save for a few small repair patches in the front footwell and rear valence, there's no sign of bodgery or accident damage - the perfect shell for us then.
Elsewhere it's the same story. The 1300 crossflow smokes a little on start up but runs very, very sweetly. There's no sunroof, the trim's all present and correct (though the rear seat needs some tic), it's got ticket until November and those Supersport four-spokes are just crying out for polished rims.
Definitely a contender, but time to move on.
Good
Virtually untouched shell
Long MOT
Sweet motor
Bad
Too nice to modify?
Don't Buy a Dog
To be honest at this sort of price level it's probably not worth your while paying out for a vehicle check. Instead, know your cars. Read up about the model you're interested in and if you still don't feel confident, take along a knowledgeable friend or someone in your local car club. Failing that, ask a mechanic view the car. You'll have to slip him a couple of quid, but it's better than forking out a grand for a snotter.
Ask to see the logbook. Check that the engine and chassis numbers mat those on the VIN plate (found on the slam panel or inner wing tops of most Fords). Is the address on the logbook the same as the one where you're viewing the car? If not, ask why. Trust your instincts. If something feels dodgy, walk away.
Finally, don't buy a car with a knackered body but a good engine - panels always cost far more to replace than engines - and never look at a car in the dark. We've done both, but as Tony Blair says, do as we say, not as we do.
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