IT was once a ubiquitous, everyday runaround. But time has ensured that the little Ford Fiesta Mark 1 is nothing less than a classic.

The Lakeland Motor Museum’s Fiesta is a special example having covered only 40,000 miles from new. And it was new way back in 1980.

It had only two owners (in one family) before coming to the museum. With its low mileage its in wonderfully original condition apart from a slight mark running along the nearside flank.

It’s the GL model of the famous Fiesta and features what would have been considered some decent extras in the 80s.

They include a passenger mirror and a rear parcel shelf. But it has wind up windows, no central locking, no power steering, manually adjusted seats and obviously for its age – no satellite navigation.

It weighed in at just 715kg – compared to the modern version which is 1100kg.

The Ford Fiesta was born out of the success of the British Motor Company’s front wheel drive Mini. Although it took Ford a few years to capitalise on the growing trend towards smaller runarounds.

Right hand drive versions of the Fiesta were introduced in Britain in 1977 and would have set you back £1,856.

They initially featured a 997cc or 1117cc transversely mounted four-cylinder engine and four speed manual transmission.

Although Ford USA had previously built front wheel drive vehicles, Fiesta’s were widely credited as being the company’s first globally successful front wheel drive car.

It’s reported that the Fiesta was originally developed under the project name “Bobcat”. Ford’s marketing team had preferred the name Bravo – but Henry Ford II vetoed it in favour of the Fiesta name.

And what a good decision that was – as the Fiesta has become something of a classic household name. And if you get a chance to view the Lakeland Museum’s model – it has a rather unique aspect to look out for.

If you glance through its rear window you’ll spot a little community of Smurfs – another little eighties icon that grew immensely popular.