The Craziest & Rarest Fords from the UK in the Early 2000s
The Early 2000’s is made up of a mix bag of flops and some special cars for Ford, we check out some of the craziest ones of that period.
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The early 2000s were a golden era for Ford enthusiasts in the UK. With a mix of rally-bred legends, limited production runs, and high-performance machines, Ford delivered some truly special models that remain coveted today. Let’s take a look at some of the rarest and craziest Fords to hit UK roads in that period.
Ford Racing Puma (1999-2001)
One of the most unique Fords of the early 2000s, the Ford Racing Puma was a limited-production version of the already popular Ford Puma. With only 500 units built for the UK market, this wide-arched, lightweight hot hatch had serious credentials.
- Engine: 1.7L Zetec-SE with 153bhp.
- Upgrades: Wider track, Alcon four-pot brakes, Sparco bucket seats.
- Why it’s crazy? It had rally car looks, a high-revving engine, and a bespoke wide-body kit, but it was never officially raced.
Ford Focus RS Mk1 (2002-2003)
The Mk1 Focus RS was Ford’s return to the hardcore hot hatch scene, and it didn’t disappoint. With just 4,501 units produced, this turbocharged beast was heavily influenced by the brand’s WRC dominance during their Colin Mcrae era and it shows.
- Engine: 2.0L turbocharged Duratec with 212bhp.
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive, Quaife limited-slip differential.
- Why it’s crazy? It had a mechanical differential so aggressive that it torque-steered like a wild animal!
Ford Mondeo ST220 (2002-2007)
A family saloon with V6 grunt, the Mondeo ST220 was a sleeper among Ford’s performance lineup. While not as limited as others, finding one today in good condition is a challenge particularly a petrol variant.
- Engine: 3.0L V6 with 223bhp
- Performance: 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds
- Why it’s crazy? A luxurious but sporty Mondeo with a naturally aspirated V6 and a manual gearbox—something you won’t see today.
Ford Fiesta ST150 Mountune (2005-2008)
The regular Fiesta ST150 was a fun little hot hatch. The Mountune-tuned versions pushed it further and made it able to contend with the Renaultsport Clio and Type R. These dealer-fitted upgrades made the car even more special.
- Engine: 2.0L Duratec with up to 185bhp (Mountune MP185 kit)
- Handling: Sharper chassis dynamics and uprated suspension
Why it’s crazy? Ford didn’t officially release a more powerful ST, but Mountune gave buyers an option to turn their small hatch into a real pocket rocket.
Ford GT (2005-2006, UK Imports)
Although not a UK-exclusive model, the Ford GT was officially imported in tiny numbers. This American-built supercar paid homage to the legendary GT40 and packed some serious firepower.
- Engine: 5.4L supercharged V8 with 550bhp
- Performance: 0-60 mph in around 3.5 seconds
- Why it’s crazy? Seeing one on UK roads was (and still is) an event, thanks to its Le Mans-inspired design of the GT40 and brutal performance.
Meta Description: Discover the ultra-rare Ford GT, a Le Mans-inspired supercar with a 5.4L supercharged V8 and breathtaking performance.
Should you buy one?
Ford pushed the boundaries of performance and design in the early 2000s, producing some of the rarest and wildest cars. Whether it was the rally-ready Focus RS, the unique Racing Puma, or the sleeper Mondeo ST220, each of these models had something special to offer. Today, these cars are highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts and are all going up in value.
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