One of Donald M. Healey's last automotive tricks was the Healey Fiesta. The world was once glad with only one copy. It is really no more than a 'special edition ' from a Ford Fiesta MkI where the oversized spoiler on the front stands out the most.
The trolley - with chassis number 00FBUS86469 - has been the subject of articles in American car magazines a number of times. This car started its life in 1978 in Germany as a standard Ford Fiesta and was shipped to the States after paid work. The idea for that was shot from the brain of Gary Kohs from Detroit. He thought that a Healey Fiesta was a good opponent for the then popular Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper 'S'. Harry Weeks, an artist living in California, was commissioned to make something 'fun' out of the Healey Fiesta. Kohs predicting the management of the Ford Motor Company that Healey Automobile Consultants Ltd. from the British County of Warwickshire was the perfect firm to realize the realization.
Ford bought the idea and made agreements about it with Donald and his son Geoffrey. A completely standard Fiesta - with American specification - was shipped to Healey where the cart was tackled. In addition, Eric Broad, known for Broadspeed, became involved in the project with the Healey Fiesta. Apart from the British Racing Green color, embellished with yellow coach lines, the engine was tackled by Broadspeed (80 hp at 5.500 rpm, while Healey spoke of 105 hp at 6.250 rpm), the bodywork was fitted with a roll cage, an oversized spoiler at the front, thick 6J x 13 ”Minilite rims and some frills. The Healey Fiesta adorns the front and rear, as well as the interior, by a so-called 'Healey wing'as can also be found on the' Big 'Healey, among other things. Once shipped to the States, the American car press had to get acquainted with it.
The leading Road & Track was wildly enthusiastic and even had the Healey Fiesta on the cover in the August 1979 issue. Unfortunately, that all happened when Ford decided to drop the Fiesta from the American delivery program… That must have been a bitter pill for father and son Healey. From the chassis plate - with type designation HF 001 - it can be concluded that they thought they could make 998 more. After a number of years at Ford's warehouse full of special editions and prototypes, it was decided to say goodbye to the car. It thus ended up with a collector in Ohio and then with the current owner Bob Segui. Father and son Healey also 'edited' a Ford Escort for the American market at a later stage, even built three (!) Prototypes of it, but there too the fire under the croquettes went out prematurely.