Ford Fiesta hits 40!

If you didn’t learn to drive in a Ford Fiesta then you almost certainly know someone who did.

As Fiesta hits the big “Four-Oh” celebrate with some amazing shots, and a few things you might not have known about the small car that has touched so many lives …

Fiesta started life as a secret project – codenamed “Bobcat”

 
Fiesta is Spanish for party

 
Actor Jeremy Irons compared Fiesta to period drama Downton Abbey

 
James Bond star Roger Moore ahead of filming “The Spy Who Loved Me”

 
Ahead of its time in 1979, the Fiesta tries on SUV looks for size

 
Would you Adam and Eve it? EastEnders star Danny Dyer’s first car was a Fiesta

 
The original Fiesta cost £1,856 – and just £5.78 to fill up

 
For extra grip in slippery conditions, snow chains

 
The Ford Fiesta Ladies’ Cup

 
Radio and cassette? State of the art in 1983. Now you can pair with a smartphone in seconds

 
This golden winged model can be found in Cologne, Germany, where Fiesta is built

 
The Police find Fiesta a useful patrol car

 
Fiesta has also always had a sporty side – like this XR2i

 
Musicians namechecking Fiesta include Brit pop favourites Elastica with “Car Song”

 
Fiesta special edition names have included Kingfisher, Sandpiper, and Firefly

 
Today’s Fiesta ST200 can achieve 143mph - the original car managed 85mph

 
17 million cars sold, and counting!