Big Valve Kent Motor: 1980 Ford Fiesta Mk 1

Today is October 14th, which is Columbus Day..and Canadian Thanksgiving...sorry...so this next feature came across the Ocean blue and now lives in the land of wheat and beef.  The Mark 1 (that's fancy pants speak for first generation) Ford Fiesta was designed by Ford of Europe and built in an assembly plant in Cologne, Germany for worldwide consumption.  The Fiesta was only sold in the USA for a few years (1978-1980) before it was replaced by the North American built Escort, an unfortunate turn of events for economy car drivers because the German built Fiesta was a cool piece of kit while the American built Escort was an unforgettable pile of guano. Find this 1980 Ford Fiesta Mk 1 offered for $5000 in Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from JB1025.

Little White Lies: 1978 Ford Fiesta S Mk1

There is an old saying that goes something like "they don't make 'em like they used to"...but occasionally that is a good thing, particularly in the case of domestic subcompact econoboxes.  However, this next car survived the years well and seems cool, at least on paper.  Probably because it is one of the German built Fiestas that were available on these shores a few years (1978-1980) before it was replaced by the North American built Escort (yuk).  Anyway, find this 1978 Ford Fiesta S Mk1 offered for $4,500 in Snohomish, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Vintage Wagon: 1967 Ford Cortina Estate Mk1

You know what is cooler than a wagon?  An old crusty wagon. And what is cooler than an old crusty wagon...? An old crusty wagon that is rarer than rocking horse poo....and Cory found us a beauty today! Find this 1967 Ford Cortina Estate Mk1 offered for $1500 in Orange, VA via craigslist.

Original Mobster: 1967 Triumph 2000 Mk1

The Triumph 2000/2500/2.5PI was a mid-sized family saloon car built in the UK from 1963 through 1977. It featured stylish sheet metal penned by Giovanni Michelotti (BMW New Class, DAF/Volvo trucks, Triumph Spitfire, and various Ferrari/Maserati things) and guts assembled by the Triumph Motor Company. Find this 1967 Triumph 2000 Mk1 offered for $15,000 on the SF Bay Area craigslist but located near Portland, OR.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Rabbit Out of the Hat: 1984 Volkswagen GTI Mk1

The Mk I GTI was a world changer and showed post fuel crisis world that a front wheel drive, reliable family econobox could be fun.  Its combination of fuel injected engine, manual rack-and-pinion steering, 2000 lb curb weight, and room for your junk put the GTI in a class of its own.  The paradigm is still true today and you don't need a spend a bunch of money to pick up a used GTI.  Find this 1984 Volkswagen GTI Mk1 offered for $3,500 in Boise, ID via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Bell Bottom Custom: 1979 Ford Fiesta Mk1

The Mk1 Ford Fiesta was a fiesty compact designed by Ford of Europe and built in an assembly plant in Cologne, Germany for poor people around the world.  The Fiesta was available on these shores a few years (1978-1980) before it was replaced by the North American built Escort, an unfortunate turn of events because the European Escort was actually a good crapcan. Find this 1979 Ford Fiesta Mk1 offered for $5,995 in Athens, GA via craigslist.  Tip from PB.

5k: Aerodynamic: 1968 Triumph GT6 Mk I

The Triumph GT6 is an example of a classic that looks way more expensive than it is, almost to a fault.  Its Giovanni Michelotti designed fastback shape will attract all kinds of looky-loos at every gas station and random people will ask you if it is a Ferrari.  Today's GT6 is equipped with an aerodynamic "LeMans" front end that amplifies the air of exotic-ness.  Just don't tell them that you've got basic Triumph running gear underneath.  Find this 1968 Triumph GT6 Mk I here on eBay currently bidding for $4,450 with 3 days to go, located in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

3k: Dead Tortoise: 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Mk 1 Diesel

I've owned and driven some slow cars in my time.  A W123 Mercedes-Benz 240 diesel with the OM616 inline-4 non-turbo engine was slow, but it felt like being launched from a cannon compared to the Mk 1 Rabbit that I owned a few years later.  The Rabbit couldn't out drag a UPS truck from a stop, but somehow was a surprisingly fun experience.  It was like that time you went to one of those dreaded kids birthday parties and ended up in a game of kid-versus-adult dodge ball.  You didn't expect anything other than a few hours of tedium, but ended up sweaty and bruised.  Find this 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Mk 1 offered for $2,900 in Almeda, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.