2 October 2002: A County Laois publican has bought a brand new Ford Fiesta for just E3,003, the same price she paid over 25 years ago for the Fiesta she has been driving every day since then. The new Fiesta retails from E14,395.

Rita, who owns Nolans pub in Ballylinan, was the winner of the search for Ireland’s oldest Fiesta, run by Ford Ireland in celebration of the launch of the new model this summer. The search unearthed several cars still in working order from the initial launch back in 1977, when the purchase price was just £2,365.

Rita bought her SCI 116 reg Fiesta from local Ford dealer Perrys of Athy in spring 1977. Neil Perry, son of the original vendor John, conducted the handover of the new model at Kilkea Castle along with Len Harvey.
Since its introduction here, over 140,000 Fiestas have been sold, making it Ireland’s best ever selling car. Over the period it has topped the yearly sales charts no fewer than 11 times.

Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland, said the fact that models from 25 years ago were uncovered in the search speaks volumes not just for the affection the car has enjoyed, but also for its dependability.