This is my mid-life crisis car,” Paul Stott admits, and you can’t deny that it’s an outstanding choice. Sidestepping the usual route of oozing into some soft and wallowy Lexus or Jaguar, Paul has instead opted to relive his boy-racer days; a misspent (or, more accurately, very well-spent) youth haring around in Mk1 and Mk2 Fiestas. “Although I’m 40 now, I feel like I’m 20 when I drive this car,” he beams. “I’d recommend it to anyone, restoring a car you were fond of back in the day. I’m so glad I’ve got another Mk1 back in my life!”
Back in his youth, Paul was picking up these runabouts for 50 quid a pop, and it’s that spirit of thriftiness that’s helped to inform this Sandpiper build. Frugality has always been the watchword with the ever-economical Fiestas, and with a strong cast of characters to help where necessary, Paul’s been hands-on in spiriting this
