Ford Focus ST 170 - £ 3,295
Year: 2003
Transmission: Manual 6 speed
Mileage: 104,000
Engine: 1,988 ccm
This ST 170 is in a rare mid-blue colour. The bodywork and paintwork are in a good condition for its age, both Cambelt and water pump have been replaced and it has 4 good tyres, discs and pads. There is a service history with the car.
The Mk1 Ford Focus RS might steal the limelight but there’s another option if you’re looking for a hot hatchback based on the first-generation Focus: this ST170.
This first hot Focus packed an excellent chassis and handsome styling, and slotted neatly into the space left by the short-lived Ford Racing Puma and alongside the concurrently-launched Mondeo ST220 - the early 2000s was a great time to be a fan of understated but otherwise excellent fast Fords.
The Zetec engine saw some work to lift its output, with new forged pistons, dual-length inlet tracts, a new cylinder head with larger inlet valves and stiffer valve springs, with variable intake cam timing and a freer-flowing exhaust system. This little lot raised power to 171bhp with 144lb ft of torque.
Ford opted for a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox, which sent power to the front wheels like every other Focus. The fifteen-spoke, 17in alloy wheels were large for the day, and housed 300mm front and 280mm discs behind, with 215-section, 45-profile tyres transferring that acceleration and braking force to the road.
EVO Magazine May 2002: ‘The first few metres of driving tell you an awful lot about Ford’s command of chassis tuning. The damping feels fabulous, the low-speed ride displaying an almost oily suppleness, belying the stiff-sidewalled tyres that barely smear themselves around the 17in rims. The steering also has fine feel, with precise response and keen weighting'.
The former owner has replaced the speedo unit as the original had a display fault but the replacement clock shows 151,000 miles whereas the car has only covered approx. 104,000 miles. The original set of clocks were with the car and can verify the mileage.
As with all my cars for sale the car will be serviced and come with a 12 month MOT at the point of sale.
