It seems rather apt to continue MotorMartin’s celebration of the mighty Ford Fiesta’s birthday celebrations throughout this, it’s 40th year, after all, news has already flowed from MotorMartin Towers recently about the continuing celebrations that have already take place, see News: LIFE BEGINS FOR FIESTA AT EUROPE’S NEWEST FORD SHOW for an example. And now, arriving at MotorMartin Towers is the new that an historic line-up of 40 Ford Fiestas came together in convoy to mark the model’s 40th birthday at the Ford Summer Festival.
Setting off from Dagenham, the Fiesta convoy was made up of classic and modern Fiestas, driven by owners’ club members, Ford employees and prominent motoring journalists.
The cavalcade, MotorMartin has been told, included some very special Fiestas, including the all-new ST200, a super-rare Mk 1 Fiesta Van, A Fiesta Fly Crayford Convertible and the last Fiesta to leave the Ford site at Dagenham, which – in 14 years – had covered a mere 17 miles from new before going on the run. What a site.
The run was also joined by a car that joined Ford’s heritage fleet just a day before the event – a silver Fiesta Mk 4 that was donated to the company by its previous owner, having covered only 22,000 miles.
“We got it on the ramp, put some new brake pads on it, and away we went,” shared Ivan Bartholomeusz with MotorMartin and for those that don’t know, Ivan has the dream job of looking after the company’s heritage fleet.
There were also a number of other cars present from Ford’s own collection including two immaculate Mk 1s, a 17,000-mile from new Fiesta Mk 2 and a pair of original, unrestored XR2s, one of which was driven to the venue by a prominent European Car of the Year Juror who remembered driving it when new. Not surprising really with such a memorable car.
The birthday run concluded at Brighton Racecourse with a cake-cutting ceremony, while a display of even more classic Fords meant there was plenty for guests to look at.
The well deserved People’s Choice award for car of the day went to Dave Lane for his Mk1 Cortina Estate, while the award for furthest travelled went to Avelino Pirin, who had driven 235 miles to get to the event.
Organised by the team behind Fast Ford, Classic Ford, Fast Car and Retro Cars magazines, the event also featured live music for a Rod Stewart tribute act, a casino and a Scalextric competition, along with guest appearances from TV host Ant Anstead (who presented the awards) and former racing driver Barrie Williams, who has a long-standing history with the Blue Oval brand.
Event manager, Katherine Chappell, informed MotorMartin that: “The festival was a great opportunity for Ford to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of its icons, and we were delighted to have such an incredible turnout of Fiestas on the day.”
So there you have it, the iconic Ford Fiesta is certainly enjoying it’s well deserved 40th birthday celebrations. Only 10 more years until its 50th!
Where will you go?