2000 Ford Racing Puma

Highlights

• Incredibly rare model

• One of only 500 ever made

• In superb condition throughout, including underneath

• Good service history and paperwork file

• Well-maintained

• Thousands spent on repairs and maintenance

• Long, advisory-free MOT

Overview

Let's face it, the Puma captured our hearts upon its release back in '97, thanks in no small part to the excellent marketing campaign featuring doctored footage of Steve McQueen from the movie Bullitt tearing up the streets of San Francisco not in a Mustang 390 GT but in Ford's new compact coupe. It was a bold move, swapping out such an iconic muscle car for a small modern model with a four-cylinder engine but it worked and the Puma sold well, collecting Top Gear's coveted Car of the Year award along the way.

Today the Puma has morphed into a subcompact crossover SUV but the spirit of the original Puma lives on, especially so in the limited edition Ford Racing Puma. Developed by Ford's rally boffins this rally car for the road really set pulses sky rocketing and it remains an incredibly rare and sought after slice of Ford's incredibly rich legacy. With a wider track and beefed up styling the Racing Puma certainly looked the part but it was underneath the monocoque shell where things really got interesting.

With a racing-inspired interior alongside motorsport-derived brakes and suspension and handling that was fine-tuned by legendary Swedish rally hero Stig Blomqvist the Ford Racing Puma wasn't merely a marketing stunt and when combined with a tuned 1.7-litre Zetec engine it definitely meant business.

With only 500 ever built the Ford Racing Puma remains incredibly scarce but should you be in the market for such a unique and compelling beast then consider this rather excellent example. Number 82 of said 500 it comes to market in superb overall condition and despite being registered as a Category D in 2002 the car has been professionally repaired and currently presents in excellent shape throughout. Clearly meticulously maintained the car has wanted for nothing during its current ownership with the vendor having spent thousands attending to any areas that have required attention. Complete with a decent history file and a long, advisory-free MOT the car looks to be a solid, mechanically sound example that starts and runs flawlessly and has clearly been cherished.

History and documentation

• 2000 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• First registered 21 Mar 2000

• Four former registered keepers

• In current ownership since 22 Feb 2014

• Original book pack and one key as reported by the vendor

• Service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals (all using original Ford parts): 2001 @ 8,728 miles (annual standard service), 2002 @ 19,226 miles (annual standard service, brake fluid), 2003 @ 24,410 miles (major service), 2004 @ 32,878 miles (major service), 2005 @ 40,155 miles (annual standard service, air conditioning service), 2006 @ 45,397 miles (brake fluid, main dealer), 2006 @ 46,180 miles (annual standard service), 2006 @ 47,041 miles (fan belt replaced), 2007 @ 54,258 miles (major service, main dealer), 2008 @ 56,322 miles (annual standard service, main dealer)

• Numerous invoices for parts, servicing, maintenance and repairs

• £3K+ invoice for various body and paint work dated Feb 2016

• Advisory-free MOT until 16 Mar 2027

• 78,830 indicated miles

Interior

• The interior is in excellent condition throughout

• Appears to be factory standard

• Minimal wear and tear with only some very light bobbling to the blue Alcantara on the driver's seat to note

• No signs of any damage

• Re-trimmed steering wheel in original factory blue Alcantara

• Small repair/re-trim to the bolster of the driver’s seat

• No reports of any electrical problems or issues with any of the switchgear

• Headlining looks to be in good shape and has not sagged

• Dashboard remains intact

• Door cards and carpets present well

• Kick plates showing car number 0082

• Boot space is clean and tidy

• The engine bay looks to be clean and in very good condition

Exterior

• In stunning condition overall

• Model specific Imperial Blue metallic paintwork presents beautifully

• No signs of any corrosion aside from a very small paint bubble on the boot lid (5mm in size)

• The bodywork appears straight and free from any damage aside from the usual couple of small stone chips to the front

• There are no issues with any of the windows or light lenses

• Carbon fibre front splitter

• All front grilles, including brake duct grilles re-fitting and replaced

• Both offside and nearside sills replaced

• Offside rear quarter panel replaced, including all associated body and paintwork

• All four 17” alloy wheels are in excellent condition following a full professional refurbishment

• Rare original centre caps sourced and replaced

• Cooper Zeon CS8 tyres all round look to be in fine fettle

• Underneath appears to be solid and in very good condition

• Professional Waxoyl treatment to the underside of the car (vendor reports it is rarely driven in the rain and always SORN'd from 01 Nov to 30 Apr)

Mechanical

• 153bhp, 1.7-litre Ford Zetec four-cylinder engine

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Front-wheel drive

• 0-62mph in 7.8s

• 126mph top speed

• Replacement of entire exhaust, including manifold, with a stainless steel Janspeed system

• Full brake system overhaul, including new pistons, seals, fronts discs including full bell and rotor system plus re-painted calipers in 2015

• Polyurethane subframe bushes

• Top strut bushes replaced

• Handbrake cable replaced

• The vendor informs us that the car does not require anything attending to and that they have cherished and looked after the car, always storing it in a heated indoor garage under a car cover

• No mechanical issues to report with the vendor stating that the vehicle is always left on a battery conditioner so it starts first time, every time and the engine runs totally smoke free and uses zero oil

Summary

It's always exciting when such a rare machine comes to market and this particular Ford Racing Puma is a stunning example with excellent history that is reportedly running perfectly. Yes it may have been registered as a Category D in the past but everyone deserves a second chance and if it weren't for the declaration it’s doubtful anyone would even know, such is the quality of the repair work so it shouldn’t put anyone off. Whether it be to take to shows, keep as part of a collection or simply to drive and enjoy this Ford Racing Puma is certainly a conversation starter.

This car is with our concierge partner Henry’s Car Barn in Northumberland. To arrange a viewing, please contact them.