WHERE TO BUY ONE

The Mk2 Fiesta seemed to disappear from our streets overnight, and the XR2 suddenly swapped from boy-racer’s old banger to collectable fast Ford. As such, surviving cars fall into two main camps: barn-finds and bodged-up rubbish versus enthusiast- owned minters.

Naturally, it pays to seek out the latter, and the XR Owners’ Club is an essential starting point. Members tend to know of any cars for sale and will help to steer you in the right direction – hopefully before the best Fiestas hit the internet.

Having said that, most XRs tend to change hands via Facebook or eBay; as always, such sites are magnets for as much junk as gems. Just keep your eyes open.

The XR2 has recently caught the attention of the classic car market, and you may find topclass examples with specialist dealers. But you’ll certainly pay for the privilege.