Top 10: Front-wheel drive classics
It’s been around for so long that we tend to take front-wheel drive for granted. Back in the 1960s and ’70s, however, there was deep suspicion among many traditional buyers as to the reliability and longevity of what was seen as a new-fangled idea, despite the fact that elsewhere in Europe innovative companies like Citroen had been building front-drive cars since before World War II.
It’s easy to see the appeal of front-wheel drive, particularly when it comes to space efficiency and sharp, nimble handling, and there’s certainly no shortage of front-drive classics on today’s scene. Here are our verdicts on 10 of the most significant.
Launched in Europe in 1976 and going on sale in Britain the following year, the original Fiesta was Ford’s first front-drive production car. It was a huge success too, with 1.75 million sold worldwide by the time it was replaced by the new-look MkII in 1983.
With sharp styling, an array of engine sizes and various trim levels to choose from, the MkI Fiesta showed other European manufacturers what a perfect 1970s' small car was. From the 957cc Popular through to the eventual 1.6-litre XR2 that arrived in 1981, there was a Fiesta to suit every small-car buyer.
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