Ford is best known for its mainstream vehicles that find homes on many driveways in the UK. However, the blue oval also has a track record of turning these workaday heroes into hot performance models that everyday people like you and I can afford. Sprinkle in a few bespoke racers and a supercar or two, and the legend of fast Fords is clear for all to see.
Here’s our top 10 fast Fords ever!
10. Ford Focus RS Mk3
Ford created three generations of Focus RS, but it saved the best until last. Based on the popular Focus, it was transformed into a 345bhp all-wheel drive B-road brawler. It could crack 0-62mph in a bonkers 4.7 seconds, all while ferrying the kids to school and visiting a supermarket.
A special drift mode was developed with the help of Ken Block for the Mk3 RS.
9. Ford Supervan 3
The Ford Transit van is a bit of an institution in the UK. Like a red postbox or the Queen, it is a staple sight on British roads as each lugs its load. Today Transit is a byword for van as this humble Ford has literally helped build and keep the country moving. When an all-new Transit was set to launch, how did Ford draw attention to one of the most common vehicles on the road? It turned it into an F1 car, obviously.
There had been a string of Ford ‘Supervans’ before Supervan 3, with the original based upon a Ford GT40. This latest incarnation was built in 1994, and while it looks like a Transit, this vehicle actually is powered by a Cosworth HB engine that usually resides in a Formula 1 car. Effectively a modified van shell sat on a grand prix machine, Supervan 3 is still occasionally seen at events today.
8. Ford Capri 2.8I
The Ford Capri was a huge hit in the UK, and effectively became Europe’s Mustang. Handsome and desirable, the Mk2 2.8I brought muscular performance to the already enticing cocktail. This model became a cult classic thanks to its strong fuel injected performance.
Capris are becoming a rare sight on UK roads today, with collectors keen to seek out significant models such as the 2.8I.
7. Ford Escort RS Cosworth
The Ford Escort was the Focus of its day, but this Cosworth model took the blue-collar car to a whole new level. Designed to homologate a rally car, this all-wheel drive performance car was pierced by a 2.0-litre turbocharged Cosworth engine.
Successor to the iconic Sierra Cosworth, the Escort is said to be the first road production car to produce front and rear downforce from the factory.
6. Ford Escort RS1600
Ford’s RS cars can track their roots back to the Escort RS1600, a car that turned the humdrum model into a rally car for the road. Produced between 1970 and 1974, these cars granted 120bhp to owners – a hefty amount for the 70s! It’s rear-wheel drive layout and lightweight nature made it a riot to drive.
This car’s motorsport counterparts saw huge success in rallying and other disciplines.
5. Ford GT
Could this be the best Birthday gift ever? When ford turned 100 it decided to reincarnate one of its most iconic models. A modern-day GT40 was on the cards, a raw supercharged V8 supercar that harked back to the machines that beat Ferrari at their own game. A true modern classic today, the Ford GT is the Blue Oval at its best.
Why wasn’t it called the Ford GT40? That was the original plan, but the classic GT40 was named after being 40 inches tall. This car is 43 inches, and GT43 doesn’t sound as good. Another interesting fact about the GT relates to its headlights. Take a closer look and you’ll see the lighting signature is in the shape of the number 100.
While common by supercar standards, the Ford GT is a real collectable these days. We would have included the latest Ford GT in this list, but its place in history has yet to be cemented.
4. Ford RS200
Group B rallying saw car manufacturers create almost unrestricted machines to fight in what became the biggest automotive spectacle of the 1980s. Fire-breathing monster would leap through the air and rip through stages at incredible speeds. The RS200 was Ford’s entry.
While not particularly successful in rally, it did quite well in rallycross. Ford had to create a handful of road cars for homologation in order to compete, and so there are some of these mid-engined unicorns out there.
3. Ford Cortina Lotus Mk1
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. This is what happens when Lotus got their hands on Ford’s Cortina! Lotus had developed a twin-cam engine based on a Ford unit, and Ford were eager take its Cortina into Group 2 racing. A host of upgrades completed by Lotus resulted in the Ford Lotus Cortina, a car famously raced by Jim Clark.
The car was a hit on the track and in showrooms, with everyone wanting one of the keenest handling sports models on the road.
2. Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
This car came about as the result of a happy accident. Ford wanted to take the Sierra Group A racing to further reinforce its dominance in motorsport. Cosworth had just developed the perfect turbocharged engine and were willing to partner with Ford, but under one condition… Ford would have to take 15,000 engines.
To help use the mammoth engine supply, Ford began a production run of ‘go faster’ Sierras for the public. While detuned from their full race potential, these 200bhp+ people’s champions became very popular.
1. Ford GT40
When Ford went to war with Ferrari at Le Mans, one of the greatest automotive battles unfolded. Developed with the help of Shelby American, the Ford GT40 was the supercar that dethroned Enzo Ferrari at the event in 1966.
The car then went on to win again in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Could this be Ford’s most globally famed model?
Keyword: Top 10 fast Fords