Every once in a while, a listing pops up that makes you stop scrolling simply because you don’t see them anymore. This 1978 Ford Fiesta, currently listed on Facebook Marketplace in Rapid City, Michigan, is one of those cars. Priced at $750, it’s not being presented as a ready-to-drive classic. Instead, it’s a project with a missing engine, some collision damage, and a long history of sitting in storage. Even so, early Fiestas have become uncommon sights, which makes this one an interesting find for the right enthusiast. Thanks for the tip, JDC!
According to the seller, this Fiesta spent more than 20 years in a barn. The seller states that it was originally equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, but that engine was removed and used in another project. The car is equipped with a manual transmission, which the seller says functioned properly before the vehicle was parked.
The story gets a little more interesting from there. The seller believes a previous owner may have hit a guardrail or experienced some sort of impact on the passenger side before the car was stored away. As a result, the listing notes that the vehicle needs a passenger-side door and fender, while the quarter panel would need repair as well.
Fortunately for the next owner, some replacement parts are already included. According to the listing, the sale comes with all the coils and control arms needed to address bent suspension components underneath the car. The seller also includes new glass for the passenger door and a solid orange roof panel for buyers who would prefer to replace the existing sunroof arrangement. One claim that stands out is the mileage. The seller states that the car shows 2,298 original miles. As with any older vehicle, buyers will likely want to perform their own due diligence, but that’s the figure presented in the listing.
The seller also describes the Fiesta as a rust-free car with a very clean underside. Those are notable claims considering the age of the vehicle and the fact that many first-generation economy cars disappeared decades ago. The listing specifically notes that the passenger side is the primary area needing attention.
Early Ford Fiestas were designed as practical transportation, not future collectibles. That’s probably part of their appeal today. Most were driven hard, worn out, and discarded long ago. Finding one that reportedly spent decades tucked away in a barn, even in project condition, is becoming increasingly unusual.
This isn’t the kind of project that will appeal to everyone. It needs work, it doesn’t have an engine, and the seller is upfront about that. But for someone who enjoys saving overlooked cars, the combination of a first-generation Fiesta, long-term storage history, included parts, and a modest asking price could make it worth a closer look.
Would you bring this early Fiesta back to life, or would you use it as the foundation for something completely different?
Magnum P.I vibe on the Fiesta 🌴 Maybe Rick’s car lol ⛱️🧉
Hard pass with that kind of damage,…
You are right.
Steve R
My dad had one of these as his daily driver. I learned how to drive with his car. Fun car actually. My dad’s also had the metal/glass sunroof and a rear defroster. No a/c. Hot car in the summer! I notice this one is the “Sport” package. Interesting find.
Worked for a small pizzaria that had two for delivery cars. The 1.6L Kent wasn’t too inspiring but then again these things weighed next to nothing. The one BIG plus that they had in thier favor was the fact that the heater core was a Lot lager than those found in its contemporaries: that meant in cold climates the Fiesta actually heated the cabin to a comfortable temperature in the winter.
Probably my favorite of all the 70s/80s econoboxes….and I was a big fan of econoboxes. I think I loved them because they had a European flair to them. The one thing I wonder is why the driver’s side front wheel is tucked under. That guardrail they hit on the passenger side must have really been tough to do that.
I sure hope someone buys this and fixes it up. The interior looks to be in very nice shape…. as do the parts of the body not rearranged by the guardrail. I can’t remember the last time I saw a Ford Fiesta of this vintage on the road. Great little cars.
Wow, just wow I didn’t realize scrap metal was worth that much maybe its time to get back into scrapping cars
I had one of these too and absolutely loved it! Great handling, good fuel economy, sprightly if not neck-snapping performance, and loads of hauling space in the back! One of Ford’s first “world cars”. They were raced by enthusiasts and there was an extensive network of aftermarket suppliers. A cursory look at the A and B pillars would indicate that this one is probably toast…
I had a 1979 in the same color, nice to see those orange stripe seats again. I got 40 mpg on mine. Good positive remarks on the car.
I’ve got an ’80 Sport model sitting in my garage awaiting work.
This would be a great doner car if you had a lesser model Fiesta,
as you can switch parts between them.
That’s just the asking price,so you could probably get it cheaper.
These are getting really hard to find.Only sold in the US ’78 -’80.
Here’s mine –
I got less and less enthusiastic as I scrolled through each photo. The best part are the seats which look like new.
These were a really hot hatch for their time-and more than a few S models embarrassed cars costing 3 times as much without much if any mods on SCCA Solo 2 courses. This would probably be worth dickering on if you had one to rebuild, as they’re getting scarce especially parts-wise.
My kid brother introduced me to Autocross with one of these after I co-signed on one for him then saw it a few weeks later while passing by the Reno Centennial Coliseum parking lot as it was going Hellbent for leather through a bunch of cones..met some good longtime friends accordingly.
Thanks for the memory time jump, Michelle.
This Fiesta needs a siesta!
That Fiesta needs a dirt siesta! I noticed both front wheels were cantered in from the crash. Don’t think it hit a guard rail, it hit something more solid than that. If it was just bodywork, you might be okay at that price, but engine, suspension and bodywork? Good luck and just say no to drugs.
This is a parts car. I see some good parts (that interior, for starters, all the driver’s side sheetmetal) but still.
These were the early Fiesta’s to have. Sadly, not this one.
I had a ’78 Fiesta Sport I bought new when I was 19 years old. It was a great little car.
Like the Fiat Spider and Pantera, this was designed by Tom Tjaarda. These cars are now incredibly scarce, and this one is well worth it for parts. They were very lightweight, increasing the fun-to-drive quotient but raising concerns whether the front end on this car can be made right.
I am another fan of the original German Fiesta. I bought one new after 3 Cutlasses. It was a fun car, economical, great handling and surprising amount of room. My first FWD car. Mine was an 80 Sport in bright metallic green with all of the options available. Picked it up after my last class while in college.
Well he ruined the once nice looking front seats by leaving the greasy trash on em for 10 years……
put back where it was. 750.00 too much. no market for this unless you need parts
Had one in college, 78 blue! I added LeMans stripes. The generator failed, could not afford a new one, so I took the generator to a shop for it to be rebuilt, took a week, charged the battery every night and drove it in dead winter to college with no generator in it. Ran like a champ! Got me through school and more!!! If I could find a mint one today, I would buy it. The festiva that came after was not as good.
The Festiva came to an abrupt end when the warehouse containing production parts for new models as well as repair burned to the ground. I believe it was located in Cologne, Germany.
The Festiva was a Kia model designed by Mazda and built from ’86 to 2000. Not sure which years it came to the US.
Wasn’t this car the base for one of Jay Leno’s more popular cars, “The SHOGUN “.
A hot rod based Fiesta with a rear engine
SHO engine! It could be the start of “SHOGUN II”!
Nope. SHOgun was based off the later Mazda-built Festiva.
I had an ’80, in ghia-trim.
Silver with red interior.
Handled like a go-cart.
But had the nasty habit of spinning 180-degrees if braked on icy surfaces.
But it was a great little companion.
Replacing the waterpump was nigh impossible, I remember…ended-up turning THAT project over to a professional.
But otherwise, never any issues with it.
Wasn’t this car one of Jay Leno’s more popular cars, “The SHOGUN “.
A hot rod based Fiesta with a rear engine
SHO engine! It could be the start of “SHOGUN II”!
No
This is a festa, this was German
Your thinking festiva, this was junk Korean
It was Korean but not junk. Mazda designed and partially built, much better than the Hyundai Excel and (Daewoo) Pontiac LeMans, pretty much the equal of the made in Canada Geo Metro.
Here in the States, we lucked out with the 1.6-liter Kent engine. I had some wheel time in one. Went on a car hunting trip to Europe in ’80 or so, picked up a cheap Fiesta at the rental counter. It was bog slow: must have been a 998cc or 1100cc or some other tax-dodge small engine. Left the Frankfurt airport, revving the snot out of it. I had forgotten what Autobahn driving was like…..was going a decent speed, pulled into the left lane to pass a truck, right into the path of a fast approaching car going 30-40 miles an hour faster, lights flashing like mad. I swing to the right and, not wanting to give up my hard-won speed, sling-shotted past the truck on the right shoulder. Truck driver was rightly torqued: he honked and flashed me like I was an idiot, which I was. I quickly recalibrated my driving back to Euro-standards which, back then, were quite high. Got around Europe pretty good and ended up scoring two BMWs: a beautiful BMW 2000CS and a 2000 touring hatchback. If you like the Fiesta, there was a good book “Let’s Call if Fiesta”
What a special memory these little cars hold for me. I was just a teen when my dad bought a brand new 78′ Fiesta from Wayland Ford in Wayland MA. Years later I used to commute to work with my mom and she’d let me drive it, not telling my dad. First time I ever drove a stick. It was a great little car until my dad finally traded it in on a 84′ Dodge Omni. I haven’t seen one on the road here for decades. So sad to see this one in this condition. Really wish it could be saved but that damage looks terminal unfortunately.
Interesting, just last night I was thinking I am tired of working on Corvettes, Camaros TransAms etc . I really think it’s time I find a pile of dung fiesta and start working on that! NOT!!!
Yeah. That would be a step up. lol
Lot of comments over another something called a Ford. But i would still take it over any pinto, maverick, or mustang II.
You and KatI ought’a get together, LOL.
Straight and with an engine, worth $750.00. This is junk. I do like the seats.
I bought one that a week earlier had a respray, but started to slow down.
So the kid on my friend’s advice stripped the bearings out of it and threw all in bucket, I was told I coul buy it for 20$ only it I could fix it. A partime week in a unheated barn matching caps and bearings. I put together and drove it out, The kid laughed and said not runing right. I dropped the cat and actually got tire squeal.