1989 Ford Fiesta XR2

The Car

A Proper Eighties Hot Hatch

This site documents the life and history of this particular 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2. Originally registered F208 FRH, the car has survived with an extensive history that stretches back to its original supplying Ford dealer in April 1989.

Model

Ford Fiesta XR2

Generation

Mk2

Year

1989

Engine

1.6 CVH

Original Registration

F208 FRH

New Registration

F16 XRT

History

From 1989 To Today

1989

The Beginning

Supplied new by Crystal Ford in Hull and invoiced on 14 April 1989. The car was registered F208 FRH.

1989–99

With Its First Owner

The XR2 remained with its original owner and was regularly used for approximately its first ten years. Surviving MOT certificates help document its mileage through this period.

2000–08

Stored Away

After around a decade on the road, the Fiesta was stored in the original owner's father's garage for approximately nine to ten years.

2009

Back On The Road

The XR2 was recommissioned and returned to the road. Work included a major service, oil and filters, spark plugs, timing belt, wheel cylinders, shock absorbers, brake discs and tie-bar bushes.

2011

Offered For Sale

After approximately 22 years with its first owner, the XR2 was advertised for sale with around 78,562 miles recorded. The advert described the engine as original and unmodified.

2014

Bodywork & Suspension

The documented history shows further work including sill and rear wheel-arch repairs together with suspension refurbishment. Parts included KYB springs and dampers, bushes and other suspension components.

2015

Geometry

Following the suspension work, the Fiesta received four-wheel alignment, another documented part of the car's continuing mechanical history.

Today

Still Here

More than three decades after leaving the Ford dealer, the XR2 survives as a remarkably distinctive example of Ford's classic eighties hot hatch.

A New Registration

F16 XRT

The XR2's historic registration F208 FRH remains an important part of its documented past and appears throughout its original invoices and photographs.

The car now wears F16 XRT, as shown in the latest photographs. Its original registration remains central to this history.

F — Ford / F registration

16 — 1.6

XRT — XR Two

F16 XRT

Photo Archive

Through The Years

Photographs documenting the XR2, its preservation, repairs, mechanical work and life over the years.

Collection Day

The journey home and the first photographs of F208 FRH. The original sales invoice is kept alongside this opening chapter of the archive.

The view from the driver’s seat on the journey home.

F208 FRH photographed on the driveway after dark.

A rear three-quarter view from the early photographs.

A front three-quarter view with the original registration.

The XR2’s front end, spotlights and F208 FRH number plate.

The surviving Crystal Ford sales invoice from April 1989.

Early Repairs

The early bodywork record: close-ups of the affected areas, workshop photographs and the car on the ramp. Select any photograph to view the full original.

A close-up of the lower bodywork during repairs.

The sill and adjoining bodywork opened up for inspection.

Another view of the exposed lower bodywork.

A saved workshop post showing the XR2 on the lift.

A side-on workshop photograph from the repair record.

The XR2 on the workshop ramp with the bonnet raised.

Later Years

Continuing care, garage life and the details that preserve the car’s identity. Undated photographs are grouped by subject within this chapter.

Old and replacement mounting brackets side by side.

A close-up of the replacement linkage joint.

The linkage assembly laid out before fitting.

The linkage photographed in position beneath the car.

Springs, dampers and other replacement parts laid out in the boot.

A close-up of components inside the engine bay.

Two fuel pumps photographed side by side.

A length of flexible hose held alongside the bodywork.

Four pepperpot alloy wheels laid out in the boot.

F208 FRH photographed from the rear three-quarter angle.

Back on the driveway with the original registration.

A rear three-quarter view outside the garage.

A rear view of the car inside the garage.

The Fiesta sharing garage space with other projects.

A later driveway photograph, still wearing F208 FRH.

The XR2 during a wheel-cleaning session in the garage.

F208 FRH number-plate and Crystal Ford dealer graphics.

Crystal Ford dealer artwork linking the car to its supplying dealer.

F16 XRT — The Next Chapter

The latest additions to the photograph collection show F16 XRT fitted. The familiar red paintwork, black trim and pepperpot wheels carry the XR2’s story forward.