1978 | Ford Fiesta Healey

In 1978, the Ford Motor Company decided to build a show car based on the then-current Ford fiesta. the job of developing the show car was given to the director of the agency that handled the Ford account.

Gary Kohs at Marketing Corporation of America. Kohs did some initial sketches of the concept for presentation to Ford management and suggested Healey be contracted to accomplish the work. It was though that the Healey name was well known in the sports car world and would add emphasis to a show car. A standard 1978 Ford Fiesta (US specification) to Healey Automobile Consultants Limited, Warwick, England.

Donald and Geoff Healey began work to increase the performance of the Fiesta. They attacked four main areas; the engine, the suspension, the aerodynamics, and finally the ergonomics of the driving compartment. US specifications for the 1978 Fiesta required emission control equipment that severely limited performance and this was quickly removed once the car arrived in England. The standard bhp was 66 bhp at 5,000 rpm, when finished the modifications 105 bhp at 6,200 rpm was achieved a 63 percent increase in power.

The suspension and brakes modified and uprated, a set of 13in x 6in Minilite wheels fitted. With the increased wheel diameter all four-wheel arches were given a slight flair. The steering remains standard, but smaller diameter, the thicker-rimmed steering wheel was fitted.

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