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Q Jumping - A strange numberplate was the first clue that this wasn't any old Fiesta...
Words Jason O'Halloran
Photos Michael Whitestone
You have to admire those lucky enough to own a piece of motoring history, even more so if the car is a genuine works vehicle. Most of the lucky few already know the significance of their set of wheels, but sometimes the true identity of a car only gets revealed by chance to its unsuspecting owner. Take Gordon Stuart and his white Mkl Fiesta XR2 from Scotland. Who would have thought such an unassuming car could have a history as interesting as it does.
Spotted the numberplate yet? Kind of odd to see a 'Q' on such an old vehicle, don't you think? Yet the plate is only just the start of the mystery surrounding this extraordinary little beast.
Ford originally built a bunch of Fiesta XR2s for the Monte Carlo Rally back in the late 70s - some people say there were only four cars. Ari Vatanen and Roger Clark were among the lucky few to have the opportunity to race these new little machines. The wheelbase was very short and they were driven through the front wheels, so to follow the all-conquering Mkll Escort was going to be a big task. Unfortunately the Mkl Fiesta's racing career would be very short lived, as limited success on the track soon led Ford to turn its attention to the newer front-wheel-drive Escorts.
The Fiestas were all prepared at the factory workshops at Boreham and the attention to.....
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