1998 Ford Puma Rally Car

Ford is rightfully in the Motorsport Hall of Fame, draped in successes on road and track, starting with their legendary Le Mans victories and continuing the momentum throughout the following decades on road, track, dirt and everything in between. Ford’s rallying successes also started in the 1960s seeing victories across Europe with the Escort, 1980s 'Group B' madness with the RS200, early-1990s success with the Escort RS Cosworth and arguably their most famous car/driver pairing, the Focus in late-1990s with the late, great Colin McRae at the helm. As a result of this rallying pedigree, there is a trickle-down effect all the way to grassroots/entry-level rallying, whereby cars such as this 1998 Ford Puma come to exist.

Whilst it may have started its life as a standard road car, it was short-lived as it has seen rally competition since 1999 on the Conwy Honda Cambrian Rally and has lived a good life of competition ever since, right up until the Phil Collings Memorial South Downs Stages in December 2022. In recent years it has been used sporadically, averaging one or two events per year since 2016, including Goodwood Rally stages on the circuit and Oxford Carnival Rally.

The car has been built well and upgraded over time, with the 1.4-litre Twin-Cam Zetec SE engine now featuring upgraded throttle bodies, mild cams, a free-flow exhaust manifold and uprated exhaust system, mated to a close-ratio Quaife gearbox. Assisting in the corners is a Limited Slip Differential and adjustable Proflex dampers. Inside the car you’ll find a welded-in roll cage, Cobra bucket seats, Sabelt harnesses and a fire extinguisher system. With the exception of the seats, everything remains in date. There is a selection of spares accompanying the car including spare wheels with wet tyres, brake pads, rear lights, drive shafts and CV joints.

Supplied with its UK V5C and Rally Logbook and with a fresh MOT prior to the sale, this little rally car is ready to go and is the perfect candidate for those wanting to try rallying without the associated costs of buying and running a higher end car.