Sorry SVRex... had to borrow part of your title 
I have a 1979 Ford Fiesta Ghia project that I am considering getting rid of due to some financial stuff that has come up lately.
Short story, I'd like to get $1500 with all the extras...if I can't get that, I'll probably keep it and sell another project.
(I have a few more pictures I can email, or can take any you are interested in seeing)
Now on to the rest of the story. I bought this car about 4~5 years ago. I bought it from the second owner (first owner was this guy's dad). Spent its whole life in middle Tennessee. In 1988, it burnt a valve (with ~164,000 miles) and was parked inside a garage (not temperature controlled, but at least attached to the house) so it's about as rust free as they come. I was planning on fixing it as a daily driver, so I started going through it.
The Good: (all installed) new rings, new bearings, new complete gasket set, new front rotors, rebuilt calipers, new pads, new rear wheel cylinders, new rear shoes, new master cylinder, new SS brake lines all around, new GR2 struts (all I could find cheap), used set of BAT "Orange" performance springs (shorter and 160#/in vs ~115#/in stock), new Gabriel rear shocks (ditto), used set of BAT "Yellow" performance springs with 1/2 coil cut (shorter and 160#/in uncut, so it will be slightly stiffer vs 115#/in stock), new tune up parts (plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor button), new water pump, new T-stat, new radiator hoses, radiator professionally flushed/ leak checked, new clutch set including throw-out bearing, 13” x 4.5” (WOW!) Escort steel wheels, new Falken Ziex 512 (175/60/13 one size smaller than I should have put on it), used BAT 4-1 header (modified with factory ball flange welded to collector and header flange “fixed” so it uses factory manifold gaskets), decent paint, interior OK with a couple of bolster rips and a little mold from sitting so long, Escort carb (probably the same as the Fiesta, but was rebuilt a while back) with aluminum Escort air cleaner assembly (larger air filter and much lighter than the OE Fiesta air cleaner assembly), all new rubber fuel lines and vacuum lines (of the couple that were not removed). I made a copy of the Ford Rallysport engine lowering kit (lowers engine 1" for improved CG), I made a copy of the Ford Rallysport anti-dive kit (reduces kangarooing on acceleration and reduces brake dive by changing the front tie rod location by 1" lower), I made an engine steady brace (but it might be a little weak not sure yet) similar in design to the Ford Rallysport design, Factory Ford 1979 Fiesta Manual, Haynes Manual. I've kept all the original parts so it can be put back original (except the anti-dive kit because the mounts were cut and professionally re-welded). I have tons of interesting pictures/documents (electronic files) of Fiesta information that I have gathered from varius sites (including the Ford Rallysport…Mk1 Fiesta Ralley Manual and a translated German document on how to install the European Fiesta RS fender flares). No sunroof, so it should make a good autocrosser if set up properly.
Extras: New gas tank (may or may not be installed depending if I get a chance to work on it this weekend), 13 x 5.5” ET +34 aluminum wheels (I think “Prime” brand - not pretty, but fairly light and could be nice with a little work…perfect for 185/60/13’s ), OE carb (probably needs rebuilt), used 5200 Holley carb (Weber 32/36 copy – may require rebuilt), universal air filter for Holley carb, extra used fuel pump, used aftermarket steering wheel adapter (Grant I believe, but no hor button or steering wheel). All OE parts that were worth saving (springs, emissions, exhaust, air cleaner assembly, A/C parts (which are bad, but could be rebuilt?), section of OE (unknow make… got if from a pile at the pull-a-part) flex exhaust pipe to help counteract Fiesta’s tendancys to eat the doughnut gasket and/or crack the header.
The neutral: I replaced the valve that burnt in the head and lapped in all the valves, but the head does have the typical crack between the middle exhaust valves. I had taken the head to the local machine shop and they said it was not repairable, but the crack didn’t look that bad. I've pulled all the emissions stuff off (but still have it) and made an EGR blockoff plate, so it probably won’t pass emissions. I installed screw in wheel studs (some like them, some hate them), blue loctited in place and used stock Escort lug nuts, BAT 4-1 header is a little close to the starter for my tastes, but I know a lot of people ran them without issues, may require a custom heat shield for starter longevity.
The bad: does not run…yet (I’m hoping to mess with it this weekend - 8/21/10) so I have no idea about working all the bugs out of a car that has been sitting for 22 years, paint is a little faded (I think a good wax would help), TINY rust spot on rear hatch window, small dent on driver’s side door, hood has a dent/bend in it where the hood “prop” is (looks like someone tried to shut it without unlocking the “prop”). With the cut rear springs under full suspension droop, the spring is loose, so you might have to make a limiting strap or something (I’ve got ideas, but have not implimented anything). Head is still cracked (the typical crack between the middle exhaust valves), so I’m not sure how it will do long term. I was hoping to get it running cheaply/safely to see if I’d like it, then buy either a FF1600 head or aluminium head and fuel inject it. I pulled all the A/C off, so it might be “rough” as a daily driver…but it does have the neat wing windows)
I think this would make an awesome car to someone wanting a Fiesta and really want it to go to someone who knows what it is rather than just wanting a cheap little car to run into the ground. I have only seen a couple more Fiesta’s (usually in California on Ebay) in the past 5 years that have been this clean. I really hate to see it go, but sometimes other things take priority. 
Thanks for looking.
Dan
