A Grand Monday: Ford Mondeo

When the original Ford Mondeo made its debut almost 25 years ago, it was an overnight sensation. Here was a car that, at long last, proved that Ford could thoroughly engineer a chassis. 

It was the company's first front-wheel-drive large family hatch, and the first of a generation of Fords that enjoyed class-leading handling. It was also well screwed together, and was a giant leap forward from the Sierra that it replaced.

Indeed, there were only a handful of criticisms levelled at the car. First, that the rear legroom was a bit cramped, and second that it looked a little bland.

The car's 1996 facelift aimed to answer both of those issues. The seats were redesigned to create additional leg and headroom, while the stylists decided to give the Mondeo a much more avantgarde appearance ahead of the company's soon-to-be-revealed 'New Edge' styling. 

The Mondeo's new nose was certainly distinctive, although some critics cruelly compared the swept-up headlights to the spectacles of TV transvestite Dame Edna Everidge.

Familiarity, of course, made the Mondeo's snout much more acceptable, and today it's a car that hardly musters a second glance. Or at least it was... 

But suddenly, they all seem to have disappeared from our roads, victims of a descent into banger territory, be that as run-on-a-shoestring family hacks, or going out in a blaze of glory on the oval. 

Here, then, is a rare one-owner survivor. A mid-spec 'Verona' model - one of Ford's semi-permanent special editions that was effectively a 1.8 LX with nice alloys and air conditioning, aimed squarely at private buyers.

Supplied new by Ford's own direct franchise, Dagenham Motors, the R-plate car has covered just 55k from new and has just passed its MoT, so comes with a test until Summer 2018.

According to the vendor, the bodywork is rot free but has seen the effects of the previous owner's 'advancing years', so expect the odd bumper scuff here and there. There's nothing scary in the MoT history, though.

At £495, we can't help but think this is a real bargain for someone - it's the perfect neo-classic for daily drivers, and it won't be around for long. 

• Read our Ford Mondeo review and buyer's guide
• Find a Ford Mondeo for sale