Vehicle Details for Mark 2 Ford Fiesta F311 **R
The vehicle information for this Fiesta was kindly contributed by Stuart Twite.
Original Vehicle Spec
Registration | F311 **R |
---|---|
VIN | |
Vehicle Type | Convertible |
Vehicle Builder | Unknown |
Mark | 2 |
Model | XR2 |
Fuel | Petrol |
Engine Size | 1.6 |
Gearbox Type | 5spd Manual |
Year | 1989 |
Country of registration | Mainland UK |
Place of registration | |
Colour | Red |
Trim | |
Current Status | Unknown |
Stuart says: In December 1992 this XR2 appeared in Performance Ford magazine. It had been converted by a company called the Cabriolet Workshop near Colchester, Essex. The conversion kits came from a German company called "Bieber".The company could offer either a partial build whereby they did the conversion work on the shell and left the owner to paint and trim it, or the complete build where you handed them a standard tin top fiesta and they handed back a fully converted and finished cabriolet. In 1992 the kit cost Ł1155,the companies labour for the partial build was Ł275. The full build cost was Ł2194 (all + VAT). Partial build time was one and a half days. The conversion went something like this. "When a car comes in we strip the interior and mark out the cutting points on the A,B and C posts where the roof will be removed. Once this is gone strengthening members are welded in. Box sections welded to the inside of the sills tie into a cross member across the car which also reinforces the B pillers. This is then welded to sections that reinforce the rear of the car across the boot area behind the rear seat. More steel links the rear suspension turrets There is also additional steel behind the front bulkhead in the form of a box section between the wheelarches.In addition 3mm steel plate is welded across the floorpan incorporating the transmission tunnel for stiffening. Lastly, box section steel reinforces the A pillars and a bespoke strut brace connects the from suspension turrets. With the roof gone there is a hole left at the rear of the car so Bieber designed a new rear quarter and rear deck from double skinned GRP.This is bonded and riveted to the bodywork and blended into the existing bodywork.This also includes an opening boot. The only option available with the conversion was an £80 four layer hood instead of the standard vinyl one. I checked the RAC vehicle database in April 2005 and this car still exists according their information.