|
Sept. 1969
|
Birth of the 'Bobcat' (later Fiesta) project - Ford confirms its intention to produce a new compact car
|
|
|
|
|
Autumn 1972
|
Ford gives the go-ahead for the design/build of a front-wheel drive car with transverse engine - a 'super mini'
|
|
|
|
|
July 1976
|
Fiesta production starts in Cologne and Valencia
|
|
|
|
|
Sept. 1976
|
Fiesta goes on sale on the Continent
|
|
|
|
|
Nov. 1976
|
60,000 Fiestas already sold in Europe
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 1976
|
Demand for Fiesta in Europe exceeds supply by up to 100 per cent
Exports from Dagenham start two months early in response
|
|
|
|
|
Feb. 1977
|
Fiesta goes on sale in Britain
|
|
|
|
|
Sept. 1977
|
13OOcc engine added to range (Fiesta S and Ghia only)
|
|
|
|
|
March 1978
|
Fiesta van introduced
|
|
|
|
|
May 1978
|
Fiesta is awarded a Design Council Award - the first time in history the Design Council had given a commendation to a complete vehicle
|
|
|
|
|
March 1979
|
One millionth Fiesta produced
Ford launches the Faberge Fiesta Championship to find the most promising female driver in the country. One of the entrants is 18-year-old Louis Aitken, later to become a successful rally driver
The Ford Fiesta race series is launched - and is still going strong in 1996
|
|
|
|
|
Feb. 1980
|
GL version (11OOcc and 13OOcc engines only) added to the range between L and Ghia
|
|
|
|
|
Oct. 1980
|
950 GL added
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 1980
|
Popular and Popular Plus versions replace previous Base model
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 1981
|
1300 Supersport added with 75 bhp Kent engine
|
|
|
|
|
Sept. 1981
|
New '82 model launched with softer suspension, improved seats and trim, tougher bumpers and long-life exhaust system
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 1981
|
SVE-developed Fiesta XR2 added with 84 bhp Kent engine
|
|
|
|
|
Aug. 1983
|
Revised bodystyle introduced
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 1984
|
Three millionth Fiesta produced in Europe, 600,000 of the sales in the UK
|
|
|
|
|
April 1984
|
Super economy Ford 1600 Diesel models and 95 bhp VCH engined XR2 added, both with 5-speed gearbox as standard
|
|
|
|
|
July 1984
|
Fiesta takes No.1 spot in UK sales charts with 10.1 per cent of total market
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 1986
|
Lean-burn 1.4-litre CVH engine replaces 1.3 unit
|
|
|
|
|
April 1986
|
New sporting Fiesta 1.4S added to range
|
|
|
|
|
May 1987
|
CTX automatic transmission optional with 1.1 engine
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 1987
|
Racing driver Jonathan Palmer and a team from London's Great Ormond Street Hospital set a new world record. Driving a Ford Fiesta diesel they achieve 100 mph and 100 mpg in the same car on the same day
|
|
|
|
|
Feb. 1989
|
New Fiesta announced with three and five-door bodystyles, revised engine range, SCS anti-lock braking option
|
|
|
|
|
April 1989
|
New Fiesta goes on sale
|
|
|
|
|
Oct. 1989
|
Fiesta XR2i goes on sale
|
|
|
|
|
June 1990
|
RS Turbo introduced
|
|
|
|
|
May 1992
|
New Fiesta XR2i announced, with 105PS 1.8-litre 16-valve engine.
RS1800 launched with 130PS version of same engine
|
|
|
|
|
June 1995
|
Dagenham produces its two millionth Fiesta
|
|
|
|
|
July 1995
|
New 1.25-litre Zetec-SE engine introduced for Ghia and Si and 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated diesel for Ghia
|
|
|
|
|
Nov. 1995
|
UK launch of new Fiesta with totally redesigned body and brand new family of engines. Previous model remains as the entry level Fiesta Classic
|
|
|
|
|
March 1996
|
Zetec-SE 1.4-litre engine introduced for Si and Ghia
|
|
|
|
|
July 1996
|
Fiesta is one of only two of 70 vehicles to pass an independent security test carried out by What Car? Magazine, which concludes that the car is "a thief's nightmare"
Fiesta celebrates its 20th birthday
|
