About this Collectable

A standard first generation Ford Focus was already a pretty good driver's car, so this car was the perfect base for a hot hatch. That didn't mean Ford made it easy for themselves. On the contrary, compared to a regular Focus, 70% of the parts were new. Ford used parts from renowned suppliers such as Brembo, OZ Racing, Sparco, Garrett and Quaife. The fact that only 4.501 units were built makes this hot hatch even more special.

This example comes from The Netherlands and has covered only 55.500 km. Like its distant ancestor (the Model T), the Focus RS was available in just one colour: Imperial Blue. Unsurpisingly, this is exactly the colour in which this car is finished.

The production version of the first Ford Focus RS was shown to the public at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show. The RS was based on the regular Focus three-door hatchback, but with tastefully extended wheel arches (65 mm wider track, the same as the WRC Focus) and the 25 mm lowering quickly made it clear that this car had little to do with your neighbor's Focus.

Ford's WRC Team, where Colin McRae was active at the time, has contributed to the fact that around 70% of all parts of the RS are either new or completely redeveloped. Only the hood, doors, roof and front and rear lighting units remained unchanged.

Many parts were obtained from renowned suppliers: brakes from Brembo, seats and pedals from Sparco, wheels from OZ Racing, turbo form Garrett, differential from Quaife, clutch from AP Racing and shock absorbers from Sachs. It is said that Ford has made a loss on every Focus RS sold because of this. Reliable sources (i.e. the internet) indicate that this could be between £4,000 and £6,000 per car. Ford didn't make a lot of money with this first Focus RS. However, as an image booster for Ford and the Focus in particular, the car was very successful.

The RS was based on Ford's proven 2-liter Duratec DOHC four-cylinder engine. The aforementioned Garrett turbo boosted power to 215 hp at 5.500 rpm and torque to 310 Nm at 3.500 rpm. This resulted in a (claimed) acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,7 seconds and a top speed of 232 km/h. These numbers might not sound spectaculair today, but around 20 years ago they where.

Getting this power to the ground wasn't always easy even with the Quaife differential, leaving some cars (that were misaligned or on 'wrong' tires) with a 'skating' character. However, this completely original Focus RS is fitted with recent and high quality rubber (Bridgestone Potenza) and does not suffer from this.

Production at the Saarlouis plant in Germany started in October 2002 and ended in November 2003, when the last of the 4.501 units rolled off the production line. Almost half (2,147, or 48%) of those were right-hand drive and were sold in the UK.

This Collectable is number 4.011 and is originally deliverd in The Netherlands. The first owner bought the car new on November 21, 2003. After his death, the second owner (Richard, an avid Ford enthusiast) bought the RS in February 2014. About two years later, in February 2016, Tom, the current owner, took over the Focus RS from Richard with about 40.000 km. Because Tom was still living abroad at the time, he initially registered the car in his father's name. He converted this on November 15, 2020, when he returned to the Netherlands. It currentley has covered just under 55.500 km. The car is of course accident free.

Equipment

This car is equipped from factory with:
Driver's seat height adjustable
Leather steering wheel
Sports seats
Sports steering wheel
Adjustable steering wheel
18 inch alloy wheels
Driver's airbag
Passenger airbag
Anti-lock braking system
Electronic Stability Program
Upholstery half leather/alcantara
Alarm class 1 (immobilizer)
Limited slip differential
Start button

Modifications

The Focus RS is completely original, except for the exhaust system. The original exhaust systems of the Ford Focus RS are unfortunately no longer available. That is why an alternative system has been chosen, with a slightly sportier sound, but cosmetically (in terms of exhaust tips) similar.

Remarks

The car is in neat condition, except for some light stone chips on the front bumper and hood (documented on the photos).

Service history

The car was serviced by the second owner at one of the Cosworth/RS specialists in the Netherlands, Arjan van de Riet, who works at Autobedrijf John Peeters in Zegge. The following service has been carried out there in the past 5 years:
December 15, 2020 - 52.500 km - Minor service, including replacing rear brake pads, adjusting the shift mechanism, brake fluid change + various minor work - €1.053,53
November 27, 2017 - 44.804 km - MOT and air conditioning service, engine removal and installation, complete disassembly and assembly, block drilling and mounting cylinder liners (third party work), replacement of pistons, valves and cylinder head, completely cleaning and grinding of all valves, installing of original software on computer, replacement of various gaskets, oil seals, head bolts, oil and air filter, oil and coolant change - €6.206,90
31 July 2016 - 41.206 km - Installing sport catalytic converter, replacing engine mounts and gearbox mounts, new 52AH battery - €1.952,05

The RS will receive a fresh MOT in early September.

Included with sale

All keys
All original booklets, including the leather Ford Focus RS folder
Ford Focus RS pen (which fits perfectly in the center console)

For over 150 photos and the complete description, please visit www.thecollectables.nl