New book featuring Mk1 Focus RS

[Clayton]

1.6CLX prototype clay model.jpg

I've some exciting news. Former Ford designer Steve Saxty and author of the book, “The Cars You Always Promised Yourself” is writing another. He's writing a two-volume set called “Secret Fords” and the Focus prototypes will feature heavily. He's got over 100 pictures from Tickford and the Focus RS designer - Dave Hilton. This car is an old blue 1.6CLX that was reworked in clay by Hilton - it's been partially covered by silver film to change the colour. Hopefully Steve will share more shots - you can see some on his page www.stevesaxty.com/secretfords

Steve will be working closely with the Mk1 Focus RS Owners club. I have been in many discussions with Steve over that past few weeks to be of some help.

We have been asked if there are any questions we would all like answering regarding the development of the Mk1 Focus RS. Steve will do his very best to ask the contacts he has with Ford and the Mk1 Focus RS development team so now is the time to ask the questions and contribute so we can get some interesting facts added to the book.

Interested to hear your questions so dont be shy!

So looking forward to this book and a must to add with your Mk1 Focus RS collection.


Clayton

[DanT404]

This is great will definitely be buying this when its released.

I personally would like to know the story behind the exhaust manifold change, as im sure many have read online about a fire that took place during testing and so the manifold was dropped for the cast log type fitted to production cars.

Very interested also in the engineering side in general, such as questions around the selection and development of suspension/braking/engine components etc?

[Cstephens1]

Any information on why they revised or never bothered with producing the RS without 4WD. Obviously it's told it was meant to have got this when the escos closed shop and Ford claimed it simply didn't need it? Would have been a better fight against the likes against Subaru and Mitsubishi.

[Clayton]

Please welcome Steve Saxty to our club and great to have you in connection Steve.

This thread will be of great interest to many Mk1 Focus RS owners. I have seen a few pictures now (never seen before and nearly 18 years since the start of production) and have to say has opened my eyes to the development behind the Focus RS.... going to love this and thank you Steve for writing this book to include the Mk1 Focus RS.

[S1 RST]

This is great will definitely be buying this when its released.

I personally would like to know the story behind the exhaust manifold change, as im sure many have read online about a fire that took place during testing and so the manifold was dropped for the cast log type fitted to production cars.

Very interested also in the engineering side in general, such as questions around the selection and development of suspension/braking/engine components etc?

Dan, the story behind the exhaust manifold is 100% correct is I have this story from someone I know who works at LPG (Lommel Proving Ground, Belgium) and already worked there during testing the Mk1 FRS, confirmed by another person I know working there, or it should be a secret that Ford themselves send in the world as this story 🙀

I also think I'm not the only person who has a Ford stamped manifold, so one of the originals that were already made for the first batch of cars to be produced, as the fire incident seems to have happened in final testing weeks or months before production. Heat problem only happened on high speed oval track when 5+ mins driving flatout, nowhere on a public road or even track can you do that?

cheeRS Chris

[Steve Saxty]

This is great will definitely be buying this when its released.

I personally would like to know the story behind the exhaust manifold change, as im sure many have read online about a fire that took place during testing and so the manifold was dropped for the cast log type fitted to production cars.

Very interested also in the engineering side in general, such as questions around the selection and development of suspension/braking/engine components etc?

Then I hope you like it, I'm still doing Volume 1 for the 70s and 80s car but have 25% of Vol 2 done. Mike Dickison the Tickford chief engineer has written up his story on the car. I think he mentioned a stainless manifold was in the plan.

[S1 RST]

Clayton

I have once seen a design drawing from Ford of a sort of Revo Knuckle like front suspension that had a wheel hub with ‘only' 4 wheel bolts, so always questioned if Ford was already developing/testing this on our cars?

[Steve Saxty]

Any information on why they revised or never bothered with producing the RS without 4WD. Obviously it's told it was meant to have got this when the escos closed shop and Ford claimed it simply didn't need it? Would have been a better fight against the likes against Subaru and Mitsubishi.

Yes, I have the whole story on this and it's way more complex than you might expect. There was a V6 Focus, a RWD V8 and a Cosworth Focus too. But park all those, along with Focus RS, to one side. The AWD Prodrive car, called Project Irene was a completely separate thing developed by SVE with 340bhp. Two cars were made and were very special, I'll tell the story in the book as I have spent ages unpicking it - but in summary, you had two different groups with two ideas.

[macaneli]

For preorder the book we have to register on the site or we will have the possibility to do it here too?

[Steve Saxty]

For preorder the book we have to register on the site or we will have the possibility to do it here too?

Use the site please as I need to play fair with all!

[macaneli]

Ok,thank you

[Nirach]

Nice. Registered my interest on the site.

[Cstephens1]

Awesome cheers Steve!

[BartFRS]

Very interesting to read the story of the Mk1 Focus RS and it's development. Hats off to all involved and a big thank you to Steve 👏🏼.
Personally I'm interested to know more about the name of the paint.....why are some genuine Ford brochure packs are saying ‘Imperial Blue' and others are saying it's ‘Racing Blue' ?

[KEITH]

Can't wait
I've registered interest on the site