The search is on for Ireland's oldest operational Fiesta. It is sponsored by the Ford Dealers of Ireland. All Fiesta owners in each county are being invited to fill out an entry form at their local dealer. Those participating, regardless of the age of their Fiesta, will be placed in a draw to win a weekend away at a choice of Irish destinations.
For the owner of the oldest model, there's a special treat. He or she will have the opurtunity of purchasing a brand-new Fiesta for just €3,003. That was the actual price tag of the 1977 Mark One Fiesta when it made its Irish debut. New Fiestas now retail from €14,395.
In the ensuing quarter of a century, 140,000 Fiestas have been sold, making it Ireland's best ever selling car. Over this period, it has topped the yearly sales charts no fewer than 11 times. In 1996, it became the first car in Ireland to amass sales in excess of 100,000.
Ford sees the Fiesta as having classless appeal like the original Mini. Denis McSweeney, Ford's marketing director says it has also been part of the family for countless households down the years and entry-level motoring for tens of thousands of young drivers: "While it wasn't the first of the superminis, it certainly went on to define the segment and it brought huge growth to small car sales, especially for Ford."
Fiesta's main production plant is at Valencia in Spain. That location was chosen because it was close to southern European markets and there is plentiful labour.