[jkirchne]

A hit and run driver totaled my 1980 Fiesta I paid $100 for it when I got done it was a blast to drive. the engine had: 10.5 compression, billet rocker arms, Ported big valve head, header with monza exhaust, Dual Webber DCOE carbs, big cam. The suspension had: Koni shocks and struts, big rear sway bar anti hop bars, engined lowered etc. etc. etc.

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[Marc]

And your new Fiesta is also red?

 

[jkirchne]

My new Fiesta is a black SES loaded except for no power sun roof. I traded in a 2008 Honda civic Hybrid because it didn't handle very well, was very slow and the fuel economy was only in the mid to high 30's (I drive 125 miles a day).

 

[JonsZX2SR]

I love this thread. Had a 'green 79 Fiesta in grad school that got hit (while parked) by a snowplow and was wrecked. Then a friend sold me a yellow '78 Fiesta S with a blown engine (but good block, crank and flywheel.)

Went looking for a Kent 1600 from a Cortina GT at a junkyard in Malta, NY (near Saratoga) to disassemble for parts. The plan was to use the block, flywheel, waterpump, etc. from the Fiesta and build something around 90 HP. Kept the 4-speed transaxel but it took about 4 months to get everything to work. 13" steel Mazda wheels provided an upgrade from the 12" and found a rear swaybar from something. Car was under 1800 lbs.

Drove that car through the end of grad school and 2 years into my next job. Great in the snow, with snow tires on all 4 corners. it was till running when I gave it to a friend. The next car was a less inspiring '91 Escort LX hatch with the CVH 1900 and 88 HP. I still miss that 1G Fiesta and all the fun i had with it.

 

[kenzx3]

Loving it man! I'm looking into buying an '80's fiesta hopefully soon.

 

[JonsZX2SR]

One thing I looked into was installing a Lotus twincam (which was built on a Kent 1500 or 1600 block) engine into the Fiesta by starting with the FWD casting. I never got around to it, but it might make a fun project.

 

[DonBiase]

You mentioned that you used 13" Mazda wheels on your 79, what year Mazda?

 

[jkirchne]

Pics of my 1980 fiesta Engine with twin DCOE webbers