History of the Fiesta 1983 to 1989
The New Fiesta
Although not strictly a new design the new Fiesta was still given the tag of Mk2. It was in fact, more a face-lifted Mk1, still having the same basic shape as it's predecessor, albeit more rounded, and was still only available in 3 door format. The new car was given new headlights with wraparound indicators and new rear light clusters, this time incorporating reversing lights, instead of the single low mounted light on the Mk1. A rear fog light was fitted as standard, although this was due to changes in the law more than the design. Although the earlier Mk2 did not feature rear seat belts a further change in law during the production years saw later models being fitted with them as standard.
Other design alterations included larger wing mirrors (although base models still only had one) and new bumpers. The all metal bumpers of the Mk1 were replaced with metal new bumpers featuring a metal centre and plastic wrap round end caps. The higher models now featuring all plastic bumpers with incorporated over-riders. The front end of the car was lowered slightly to deduce drag and a new design of tail gate was used. This time mirroring the swage lines from the sides of the car. The Popular and Popular Plus models now had cloth trim instead of the vinyl used in the Mk1 interiors, and they also featured reclineable seats.
With the introduction of the Mk2, the old Mk1 engines were discarded in favour of the newly designed "Valencia" engine and once again the range began with only a 950 and 1100 cc engine. It was not long before a 1300 engine appeared and in May 1984 the L and Ghia models were given the 1300 CVH (Compound Valve Hemi-head). This engine was the first in a Fiesta to feature an overhead camshaft instead of the usual overhead valve format. Also appearing with this engine was a 5 speed gearbox, which was then used on all 1300, 1400 and 1600 engine cars.
April 1984 saw the introduction of the first diesel Fiesta, in the form of a 1600cc Diesel engine available on the Popular Plus and L models. May 1984 also saw the XR2 (see below) reappear this time in face-lifted form and with a 1600 CVH engine but that is given more attention below.
January 1986 saw the 1300 CVH engine replaced with the new "lean-burn" 1400 CVH. This new engine was available on the L and Ghia models and then in April 1984 it was used in a new model, the 1.4s (see below). The only other real development in the Mk2 range was the introduction of the CTX automatic gearbox in May 1987. The CTX gearbox used a constantly variable "steel belt" drive and was only available on the 1100 L and 1100 Ghia models.
Special Editions
In addition to the standard production models, many special editions were also released during the production of the Mk2 Fiesta Unlike with the Mk1 these special editions were produced on a time limit basis as opposed only producing a certain number of cars as with the Mk1, also a couple of these were released twice. The range of special editions available were:
| Release Date | Name |
|---|---|
| June 1985 | Dash |
| February 1986 | Finesse II |
| June 1986 | Holiday |
| June 1986 | Firefly (A very rare Firefly with a 1.1 CVH engine was also produced) |
| February 1987 | Festival |
| July 1987 | Bonus |
| February 1988 | Festival II |
| February 1988 | Firefly |
| July 1988 | Bonus |
| January 1989 | Bonus II |
| January 1989 | Olympus Sport |
A Note On The Engines of The Mk2.
During the production years of the Mk2 Fiesta, new studies showed up the harmful gasses that were given off when 4 star leaded petrol is burned, as a result of these studies new legislation was introduced regarding the use of lead in fuel. After this legislation was introduced Ford predicted the decline of 4 star petrol and so in 1986 started to produce CVH engines with hardened valve seats that could use the new Unleaded fuel. Although still favouring 4 star the new engines featured harden exhaust valve seats so all that was required to run them on unleaded was to retard the timing by a few degrees. All normally aspirated (not turbo) CVH engines produced after 1986 can run quite happily on Unleaded, without causing damage to the head.
The End Of An Era?
Although maintaining a steady 2nd and 3rd place throughout it's production time the Mk2 Fiesta's days were numbered. Not being a company to sit around waiting for it's designs to go out of date, Ford had set about designing a new Fiesta. Production of the Mk2 ceased in April 1989 to make way for the new improved Mk3. The new car was to be redesigned as opposed to just face-lifted. This was to be the first time the design of the Fiesta was to break away from it's firm roots in project "Bobcat".
Next: The Mk2 1400S / Return to History index
