FIESTA FINESSED
Classic Ford|January 2020
Aiden Powell always knew what his first car was going to be, and now this Mk1 Finesse is just the way he wants it.
Jon Cass
FIESTA FINESSED
When your Dad is well into his classic Fords and also has his own workshop, that’s always bound to be a perfect starting point for taking on any potential project. Jez Powell has worked as a painter and panel beater for decades and having owned a Mk2 Lotus Cortina and Mk1 Mexico along with a plethora of other cool cars, it’s fair to say he knows his way around a classic pretty well. Jez also still shows his Mk2 Cortina with a Rover V8, which also happens to be his fi rst car from way back in 1985! It’s of little surprise then that 22-year-old son, Aiden has also joined the Blue Oval party and this stunning, hot Crossfl ow Mk1 Fiesta is his latest creation.

Just like Jez’s Cortina, this 1983 Mk1 Fiesta 1.3 Finesse has resided within the Powell family for decades. “My Dad originally bought it for his Mum back in 1990 as she really wanted a gold Mk1 Fiesta,” Aiden explains. “He found her the perfect one-owner Finesse and she loved it for the next 15 years.” Sadly, by 2006 Aiden’s Gran fell ill, was unable to drive and the Fiesta was passed down to her Grandson. Being just nine years’ old at the time, thoughts of driving the Fiesta around were certainly a long way off for Aiden and the car was soon put into storage. “There was no way we could sell it as it had been in the family for such a long time,” Aiden explains.

Get ready

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Classic Ford.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Classic Ford.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CLASSIC FORDView All
RE:CREATION
Classic Ford

RE:CREATION

Your projects: Pushed aside in the BTCC history books by the Cosworth and RS500, the 1985 championship-winning Merkur XR4Ti started the ball rolling for the Sierra’s success, and Alan Strachen is building a tribute to remind everyone why.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2020
THE JUMP
Classic Ford

THE JUMP

It’s been 12 years in the making, but now Ashley Farazmand’s incredible Mk2 Harrier has raised the Escort show car game a level — or three.

time-read
9 mins  |
January 2020
Pop Rocks
Classic Ford

Pop Rocks

The 100E was a humble and sensible thing when it launched back in the 1950s. But Rich Lakey’s radically-reworked 1959 example catapults the Pop into the 21st century — its 380 bhp turbo power ensuring that it rocks on every measurable scale…

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2020
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Classic Ford

OUT OF THIS WORLD

With outlandish wings and 460 bhp, 1.4-litre engines, the amazing Zakspeed Capris looked, sounded and drove like nothing else on earth.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2020
FIESTA FINESSED
Classic Ford

FIESTA FINESSED

Aiden Powell always knew what his first car was going to be, and now this Mk1 Finesse is just the way he wants it.

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2020
Old Skool Ford Drag Challenge
Classic Ford

Old Skool Ford Drag Challenge

Seeing out the race season in style, Round 6 saw some impressive Fords hit the strip. But who was crowned overall 2019 champion?

time-read
1 min  |
January 2020
IT TAKES TWO
Classic Ford

IT TAKES TWO

Reader’s restoration: How do you make a once-rotten Cortina GXL even better? Give it to two Ford fans to restore then refine, that’s how.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2020
ESCORT 1300L
Classic Ford

ESCORT 1300L

Original classic Fords: We all dream of finding an untouched, one-owner classic Ford, but for Allan Binns it’s a regular reality, with this Mk1 being his finest find yet— and now he’s made it even better.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2020
BRITISH HISTORIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Classic Ford

BRITISH HISTORIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

The final 2019 round, the Trackrod Stages, wasn’t without its dramas.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2020
1945-2019 Russell Brookes
Classic Ford

1945-2019 Russell Brookes

Double British Rally champion Russell Brookes, famous for driving his Andrews Heat For Hire Escorts, has passed away at the age of 74.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2020