Ford Fiesta vs Model T

The blue oval has played a big part in Britain’s motoring history. In fact, chances are every one of us has taken the wheel or ridden in the back of a Ford at some point in our lives.

This year marks the centenary of the firm in the UK, and to celebrate, we’ve brought together Ford’s most famous model with its modern-day successor. The Model T can lay claim to the title of the world’s first mass-produced, affordable motor vehicle. It’s no understatement to say it was one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century, as it gave the man on the street the chance to get behind the wheel.

The Model T made its US debut in 1908, and three years later it came to the UK, where it was built and sold for an incredible 16 years. By the time global production stopped in 1927, more than 15 million examples had found homes. In comparison, the humble Fiesta seems less important. However, since its launch in 1977, more than 3,750,000 have been sold in the UK. And as 51,643 have found homes here this year alone, that number is rising fast!

So read on to see what happened when the class-leading supermini met its most famous ancestor...

Verdict

Driving a modern-day Fiesta alongside a Model T gives you a stark demonstration of the colossal advances that have been made in automotive technology over the past century. The two-seater in our test is the second oldest British-built Ford in existence, and driving it is an alien experience – only the operation 

of the steering wheel is familiar. But as antiquated as the old-timer is, we can easily see why it proved so popular, as it brought motoring to the masses. At its peak, 56 per cent of cars sold globally were Model Ts. Fast forward to the present day, and the enduring popularity of the Fiesta proves Ford hasn’t lost its touch for producing models that keep Britain moving. It’s great to drive, well built and smartly styled, and simply the best supermini money can buy – a fitting successor to the car that started it all.