• Excellent condition

• Significant power upgrades

• Bespoke Sparco interior

• Cherished RS number plate included

Not since the Escort of the Nineties had the coveted RS badge graced a road-going Ford grill, but as the company’s WRC began to gain momentum, it was decided to produce a road-going version of the rally Focus.

Although the 2001 production model (all painted Imperial Blue) used the three-door saloon body shell (though now with blistered arches and a lower, 18-inch alloy stance), it was extensively re-engineered underneath; so much so that 70 percent of its components were reworked or new.

Its list of arrayed weaponry included a DOHC two-litre Duratec, four-cylinder turbocharged engine knocking out 212bhp and 229lb ft of torque, and giving the RS a  top speed of 143mph and a 0-60mph time of 5.9sec.

A beefed up five-speed manual gearbox (with unique gear ratios), and a Quaife automatic torque-biasing differential transferred the power to the front wheels, while Sachs dampers and hugely beefed-up  multi-link suspension helped put it on the ground.

A run of only 4501 cars was built before production was discontinued. That’s all she wrote!

Since the demise of 4501, this is the highest numbered surviving example produced. Luckily, where some where crashed or drifted out of existence, this car has been in pretty conscientious enthusiast care all of its life. 

The previous owner did many of the tweaks, before passing it on to the present keeper who is a professional mechanic and dyed in the wool Ford enthusiast who has restored and maintained a string of the marque’s legendary motors; mainly MkI Escorts. 

With a specialist’s touch and understanding, he has maintained the RS to the highest standards.

The Focus doesn’t come with a lot of paperwork, though a very informative invoice of May 2020 lists some £1500-worth of parts and labour, which included the fitting of a new water pump and cambelt, new discs and pads all round, track rod ends and anti-roll bar links. 

Some time before that, in 2012, another enthusiast owner fitted a Pro Alloy radiator and an AP Racing six-paddle clutch. The RS retains all of its original hand books as well as the glossy presentation folder Ford produced for the launch of the model.

There is no doubt that this is a good-looking example, resplendent in its original metallic ‘Imperial Blue’. The finish is excellent across the car with the colour and gloss remaining consistent across both plastic and steel parts. Also encouraging, is the lack of dirt or accumulated grime in the channels and creases in the bodywork. 

The mirrors and the deep front spoiler has a few stone chips - and there is a small chip out of it underneath, but neither really deter from the overall impression. The glass is good - no delaminating - and the black, powder-coated window frames are by and large excellent. There are a couple of very tiny bubbles, but no bronze discolouration. 

Panel fit remains tight and the car has a generally taut appearance. And it all sits on refurbished, powder-coated 18-inch OZ alloys. Tasty.

Sports car interiors can suffer as they’re not exactly the main thing on their owners’ minds, but this example sports a very smart cabin. The bespoke black/striped blue Sparco seats retain all of their colour - with tight stitching - and show only a gentle patina. And yes - the outer cushions/bolsters look good too. (Loving the contrast of the grey Alcantara finish against the smooth blue leather). 

Carpets and RS Owners’ Club mats are clean and in good condition and the dashboard and centre console is ion generally good health - note the added VT monitor. There are light scratches around the radio console. The billet aluminium gear knob shows a little weathering, but nothing that detracts from its businesslike appearance (loving the meaty hand brake handle too. 

One thing you can’t fail to notice is the blue and black steering wheel.The present owner had this repainted and, along with those striped Sparcos, it really sets the tone of the cockpit.

It’s when you get down and (not particularly) dirty with this car that you see just how well it’s been looked after, the underside is really rather good. The suspension parts look to be in excellent shape (the owner added adjustable rear dampers), with all parts still looking pretty new. There is a little surface corrosion on the odd edge, but really very little. 

The heat-proofing above the exhaust is very much intact and the underside of the body tub pretty clean. Up front, that big exposed radiator looks to be in good health.

The engine bay may not be concours, but it has a very businesslike look; very healthy-looking hoses and cables, a healthy black colour to all plastic/rubber parts, and very tidy wiring. And that SCC tubular manifold looks the business. 

The engine also ‘benefits’ from the addition of a 63mm hybrid turbo producing 1.5bar pressure coupled to an Airtec 100 intercooler. 

Not wanting to sound rude, but if you need us to tell you the appeal of this car, you’re probably looking at the wrong model. Power, poise, handling (Ford have always built great drivers’ cars), rarity, that bespoke feel cabin. And it just looks great. Nuff said.