Hi Richard, I worked for Ford during the 90s & 2000s and was involved in the Escort Cos and MK1 Focus RS sales. Had an Escort Cos for a while myself but was disappointed with the Focus RS as you say not 4x4 but also just used the Zetec engine from the Mondeo with a Turbo fitted with a trick diff we also had a lot of problems with the first cars with oil feed pipes to the turbo, I personally would not invest big money in one but. But I think the one to watch will be the MK2 Focus RS yes still not 4x4 but was a great drive with that 5 pot Volvo engine and was far more worthy of the RS badge, get a low mileage, low owner, good history one in ultimate green or performance blue, I think good future classic and don't forget the RS500 version low numbers already going up that will make big money in the future. Great video
Hi Richard, great video. I’ve owned my Mk1 for 17 years. Now sitting at 80k, but has been sorn’d since 2021. Mega trips in it, 2 Nurburgring trips with nearly 30 laps done between them. Will never sell it. The registrar for the Mk1 is Mr Clayton Borg, and at the 15 year anniversary meet, at Dunton mentioned this car will soon command big values, in next 10 years. Original car, Ford engine, not Volvo, rarer than the Mk2, and a cult following. One trim, One colour, McRae endorsed.
I sold one of the very first customer cars in the country when it was launched. A chef from Windermere left his deposit and 11 mths later received his car...Great handling car. Some had more Torque steer than others tbh...
Why is the front grille on the road car awry or was it just the lighting? Glad to see you posting mk1 focus content. FYI I have Recaro Sportster GT's in my mk1 and they are *lovely* and very low. The factory seats were way too high (and heavy) even at their lowest setting.
Another great video Richard. Think the Mk1 RS has definitely aged very well! Had a Mk1 1.8 and loved it! Great handling car, however in the RS market had 2x Mk2 RS and enjoyed both although that was more for the iconic 5 cylinder sound!
Fantastic video Richard Those Ford Focus had a amazing chassis even in road form, No wonder ford decided to take them to rally with Colin great car for its time
I loved mine..it was build number 3674. I’ve since sold it but have been thinking about getting another but the interior is very off putting. I don’t know what ford were thinking with all that blue it would have been much better black. I don’t think I’ll get another for this reason
man I would love to do a photoshoot of those cars. I was wondering if you've ever seen a nissan s12 rally car in the UK? I have a standard one with the rally pack factory options, but they did run them fully kitted for some big stages. Just wondering if any actually survived or are tucked away in private ownership.
Does the WRC car have a dry sump? If the engine is that low it must be dry sumped. Love the carbon airbox, I bet the induction sounds amazing even though it’s got a mahoosive turbo on it.
I had a 1.8 zetec mk 1 focus. A pure, well handling car for sure. After that got the ST170. Anither great car but always felt they needed a bit more go.
There are 80k plus cars that need some cosmetic / bumper repairs and possible paint for £16k. I was tempted to buy one and restore it as a respray was about £3k to £5k and I can do a lot of the mechanical stuff myself which is mainly self taught from my youth. I did own one of the first UK I30N's which I regret selling as I should have fitted coil overs and removed the rubbish dampers that will eventually fail and fit better seats. I think it was written off after I sold it. I bought a 2017 Audi S3 auto that was fast but boring to drive. Is a MK1 Focus RS calling me ????
Seats aren't sparco they are ford seats with sparco badging! Seats are the worst thing about the car! Good cars though owned 1 14 years! Although so so rusty now so hard to find a good 1! Also go well when tuned to around 300bhp as they are a pretty light car! Standard very disappointing slow!
Hi Richard, I worked for Ford during the 90s & 2000s and was involved in the Escort Cos and MK1 Focus RS sales. Had an Escort Cos for a while myself but was disappointed with the Focus RS as you say not 4x4 but also just used the Zetec engine from the Mondeo with a Turbo fitted with a trick diff we also had a lot of problems with the first cars with oil feed pipes to the turbo, I personally would not invest big money in one but. But I think the one to watch will be the MK2 Focus RS yes still not 4x4 but was a great drive with that 5 pot Volvo engine and was far more worthy of the RS badge, get a low mileage, low owner, good history one in ultimate green or performance blue, I think good future classic and don't forget the RS500 version low numbers already going up that will make big money in the future. Great video
Hi Richard, great video. I’ve owned my Mk1 for 17 years. Now sitting at 80k, but has been sorn’d since 2021. Mega trips in it, 2 Nurburgring trips with nearly 30 laps done between them.
Will never sell it.
The registrar for the Mk1 is Mr Clayton Borg, and at the 15 year anniversary meet, at Dunton mentioned this car will soon command big values, in next 10 years.
Original car, Ford engine, not Volvo, rarer than the Mk2, and a cult following. One trim, One colour, McRae endorsed.
I sold one of the very first customer cars in the country when it was launched. A chef from Windermere left his deposit and 11 mths later received his car...Great handling car. Some had more Torque steer than others tbh...
owned one 20 yrs, loved it as a daily drive.... currently going through restoration..
The motorsport hoses weren't standard..
Why is the front grille on the road car awry or was it just the lighting?
Glad to see you posting mk1 focus content.
FYI I have Recaro Sportster GT's in my mk1 and they are *lovely* and very low.
The factory seats were way too high (and heavy) even at their lowest setting.
Another great video Richard. Think the Mk1 RS has definitely aged very well! Had a Mk1 1.8 and loved it! Great handling car, however in the RS market had 2x Mk2 RS and enjoyed both although that was more for the iconic 5 cylinder sound!
I would like to drive a MK2 soon
Fantastic video Richard
Those Ford Focus had a amazing chassis even in road form,
No wonder ford decided to take them to rally with Colin great car for its time
Thanks Luke
I loved mine..it was build number 3674. I’ve since sold it but have been thinking about getting another but the interior is very off putting. I don’t know what ford were thinking with all that blue it would have been much better black. I don’t think I’ll get another for this reason
Another great episode thanks
Hi Richard, have you thought about getting a Racing Puma to add to the collection. Much rather than the RS MK1...
Dull as dirty water though.
Great video. Have just found your channel and find your insight very useful. Also have a UA-cam channel myself and love my fast Fords 👍
Thanks Sam, more videos soon
man I would love to do a photoshoot of those cars. I was wondering if you've ever seen a nissan s12 rally car in the UK? I have a standard one with the rally pack factory options, but they did run them fully kitted for some big stages. Just wondering if any actually survived or are tucked away in private ownership.
Clubhouse looks great
Just a few more finishing bits to do, it is looking great 😊
Does the WRC car have a dry sump? If the engine is that low it must be dry sumped. Love the carbon airbox, I bet the induction sounds amazing even though it’s got a mahoosive turbo on it.
There’s some videos of the car running on the old videos 👍
I had a 1.8 zetec mk 1 focus. A pure, well handling car for sure. After that got the ST170. Anither great car but always felt they needed a bit more go.
Really enjoyed the standard car and loved the heated windscreen 👍
@@Challengetheroad for sure. My mates always had nicer cars but they didn't have a heated screen...or the handling 🤣
Great format. Maybe some more defused light
Will you be going to the prodrive 40th anniversary Richard? Maybe in the 22B 🤞🤞
Hi Richard
I think the lighting on the vid is not as good as before
It’s what I do
If you want to discuss let me know
Richard
There are 80k plus cars that need some cosmetic / bumper repairs and possible paint for £16k. I was tempted to buy one and restore it as a respray was about £3k to £5k and I can do a lot of the mechanical stuff myself which is mainly self taught from my youth. I did own one of the first UK I30N's which I regret selling as I should have fitted coil overs and removed the rubbish dampers that will eventually fail and fit better seats. I think it was written off after I sold it. I bought a 2017 Audi S3 auto that was fast but boring to drive. Is a MK1 Focus RS calling me ????
I’ll trade you for a perfect SVT focus 2004 brand new car nothing wrong it’s mint
Seats aren't sparco they are ford seats with sparco badging! Seats are the worst thing about the car! Good cars though owned 1 14 years! Although so so rusty now so hard to find a good 1! Also go well when tuned to around 300bhp as they are a pretty light car! Standard very disappointing slow!
One come to light 16 miles on the clock
Be interesting the value of that one