An auction of iconic performance cars - Imperial War Museum, Duxford - Thursday 20th October 2022
Ford Focus RS500 - Only c.8,000 miles from new
Estimate £70,000 - £80,000
Registration No: RS60 FLY
Chassis No: WF0GXXGCDGAJ82976
MOT: August 2023
Number 129 of the 500 examples manufactured, and one of just 101 UK-supplied RS500s
Low mileage example with only 7,879 miles (at time of consignment)
Purchased by the vendor in 2012 and in the ownership just three individuals from new
Serviced solely by the manufacturer with eleven service records and the most recent in July this year
Surely a great opportunity for the “Fast Road” collector?
The limited-edition RS500 Focus launched for its global debut at the Leipzig Motor Show in April 2010 and marked the final swansong for the remarkable Focus RS second generation. Designated to highlight its strictly limited production run of 500 vehicles, all sporting their own individual number, power was provided by a 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder engine, which generated 15% more power than the standard Focus RS, with some 345bhp, driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Sporting a unique matt-black paint finish and then given a professional 3M satin foil film wrap to complete the exterior, with matching alloy wheels, the raw appearance was completed with 19-inch wheels, flared arches, a deep diffuser, and a wing that would embarrass a Porsche Turbo, leaving no doubt about its intentions and delivering a powerful visual impact unmatched by any other production Ford. The ultimate performance Ford at the time of launch, the last of these remarkable vehicles left Ford's Assembly Plant in Germany in September 2010.
One of just 101 examples supplied new to the United Kingdom, number 129 of the 500 total cars, was distributed to Ford dealers Cliff Dickenson & Son, and registered new to the Director at the time. Finished in the iconic matt Panther Black, the RS500 passed to a second keeper before being repurchased by the Cliff Dickenson Director. Subsequently purchased by the vendor in 2012 (equating to four recorded owners across three individuals), it has been retained in his ownership ever since, and at the time of consignment has covered a mere 7,879 miles from new. Factory equipment includes the Lux Pack 2, comprising a seven-inch screen with satellite navigation and a rear-view camera.
While in the vendor’s possession, the RS500 has benefitted from a fully refurbished head unit by Blaupunkt in Germany to the cost of some £550, as well as a replacement cambelt, water pump, and auxiliary belts and tensioners in 2020 at 7,396 miles (with the originals still accompanying the car). Serviced solely by manufacturer main agents with eleven service records, the most recent being completed in July this year at 7,851 miles. A further three body and paint record stamps and a brake fluid change stamp are shown in the accompanying service book, all also from Ford dealers. Offered with a history file which contains the full original book pack comprising the handbook, service book, quick guide, and initial shipping tags and stickers, amongst more, the file also contains corresponding service invoices, the vendors purchase invoice, a letter from Cliff Dickenson & Son, a no advisory MOT until August 2023 and a current V5C document.
Provided a new battery and four tyres in 2021, the vendor has changed the inlet plenum (a known fragility of RS500s), as well as the fog lights and Ford wheel badges, but the originals are all accompanying. Pleasingly retaining the factory Continental Puncture Pack, and seat cover, the Focus is offered with the apt registration number of ‘RS60 FLY’. Surely a great opportunity for the “Fast Road” collector, especially being a low mileage example?
