Lot details
Year: 1988
Make: Ford
Model: Fiesta Popular Plus
Registration: E342 FMV
Odometer: 21,700
Engine: 957cc
Transmission: Manual
MOT: April 2026
HPI: clear
Location: Staffordshire
The Mark 2 Fiesta was Ford’s budget-friendly no-nonsense supermini and fast became one of the UK’s best selling cars with over 150,000 sold in the UK in 1987, its best selling year, finishing second only to its big brother the Ford Escort. Bear in mind it was an 11 year old design at this point, the popularity of the Fiesta was long standing and by the time the Mark 3 was introduced in 1989 the combined sales of the Mark 1 and 2 had exceeded 4,500,000 cars.
The base model was the Popular with the Popular Plus offering an upgraded spec and a number of extra’s and comforts - still keeping things simple by modern standards, these extra ‘luxuries’ included:
- Cloth seats with slightly upgraded fabric
- Carpeting (instead of rubber mats)
- Rear wash/wipe
- Cigarette lighter (standard!)
- Brightwork around windows (on some versions)
- Hubcaps (instead of bare steel wheels)
- Optional radio/cassette (not always standard)
- Basic heater and ventilation – no A/C
They had no power steering, no airbags, no ABS, no central locking and you had to wind your windows up and down, everything you needed and nothing you didn’t – just basic, honest motoring. Add to that affordability and insurability and its no wonder these were a staple of the UK roads in the 80’s and 90’s; and here’s where it gets interesting…Because they were produced in large numbers, were affordable, reliable, useable and appealed to such a broad range of drivers they often had long hard lives; with the high mileage, battle scars and a tendency to rust that went along with all that. There was also the small matter of ‘first car syndrome’; with speaker shaped holes cut out of parcel shelves and door cards, ‘go faster’ Supersport or XR2i stickers and any number of DIY ‘upgrades’ that driveway tinkering with your mates brought. As if that wasn’t enough, we lost over 20,000 Fiesta’s to the scrappage scheme, making it the most scrapped model to fall foul of the scheme.
Fast forward to present day and a low mileage, original example is almost impossible to find, you’ve got more chance of seeing an XR2i or a Supersport than a 21,000 mile Popular Plus in original condition; these have now become rare, collectable cars and increasingly hard to find.
This superb example is offered in completely standard and original condition supporting the incredibly low mileage of 21,700. Finished in cream, the bodywork is showing a few minor age related marks (please see photos) and the interior appears to be in outstanding condition with unmarked grey patterned cloth interior. It’s on the button, running well and with a long MOT until April 2026, its ready to be used and enjoyed.
If you’re looking for a practical, affordable classic car that’s cheap to keep, fun to run and easy to maintain these tick a lot of boxes, the charming analogue driving experience and nostalgia of this car will make any classic car enthusiast smile.
It would make a great useable classic to daily, a rare and interesting car to take to shows and meets or a rare piece of British motoring history to tuck away in a collection, whatever you’re looking for we doubt another one like this will come along very often.
Thanks to the Vendor for providing and checking all information
Please note: All lots are subject to a Buyers Fee of 6% plus VAT with a minimum of £600 plus VAT
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