New book featuring Mk1 Focus RS

[RS 3545]

I would have liked to know why the auxiliary gauges st 170 were removed on the rs?

[Steve Saxty]

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' ?

I can ask the designer Dave Hilton if he named it, I think Imperial was just a carryover name from Escort Cosworth? The car was conceived not as Focus RS but Focus Racing as "Racing" was the brand at the time which might explain things a little.

[Steve Saxty]

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' ?

As I recall Imperial was just a name from Escort Cosworth. The Focus was originally intended to be Focus Racing as "Racing" was the preferred name name over RS. Interestingly Dave Hilton the designer conceived it in silver and the first Geneva show car was an old red LX underneath- that car was repainted with a higher sparkle than later production cars.

[Holty]

Can't wait for the book to come
out, still working my way through the first one

[Steve Saxty]

Ah, well then I hope you like the second half. What did you think of it so far? I was pretty happy with the Edge Design piece - but I guess you're not at that bit yet?!

[Steve Saxty]

What Focus derivatives beyond RS would you like to read about?

I'm probably 4-6 weeks away from writing up the Focus section of Secret Fords. I'm a little torn and I'd welcome your views. I've already had to split the book into two volumes as I've so many images I need the space. I realize that I have around 170 photos of the Focus RS clay, prototypes, and sketches. I can't put them all in so will include as many as practical in the scrapbook that goes with the Collector's Edition.

Here's my question. If I just covered Focus RS then maybe readers would miss out on the other juicy stuff. But I should check – are you guys interested in these secret/semi-secret/rumoured performance Focus derivatives?

1. Project Irene – the AWD Prodrive 340bhp Focus
2. Project Osprey – V6 Focus
3. Focus Cosworth
4. Focus RS8 – V8-powered Focus RS
5. Focus design – hearing from Boris Jacob how he designed the Focus
6. CE99 – the canceled car that came before Focus

I can include them all, I think the bigger story sets the scene around Focus RS. But what do you guys think?

stevesaxty.com/secretfords

[Nemo]

Steve, I personally would like to hear about all the derivatives and prototypes. Less about the V engines cars and more of the Cosworth, AWD and the design of it.
I think most of us would love to see all the pictures some how.
Jon

[Poynter87]

Personally I'm interested in hearing about the whole story in the lead up to focus rs and all of the prototypes.

[Clayton]

Hi Steve,

I personally would like to see all Mk1 Focus pictures and details as possible, keeps it all together and will make great reading for all current owners and future owners to be, changing every day so will always be of interest.

With regards the secret/semi-secret/rumoured performance Focus derivatives then I would find this also of great interest, its all what would have led up to the development of the Mk1 Focus RS.


Collectors Edition must include all details and pictures...... please!

[DanT404]

I have to agree with all of the above! Great to read details on models that could have been. Whether they were based around RS development or otherwise.

[Clayton]

This thread has now been added to the Sticky section to keep this topic on top!

We would appreciate all owners to contribute as much as possible of what you would like to see included in this new book.

I think we're all going to find this of great interest especially for pictures we have never seen before.... we all love pictures!

[Steve Saxty]

Tell you what - since I don't want to cram in 200 never-seen pics then I'll donate the balance from the books to club members that have bought the book. So you guys get something special.

[macaneli]

As others have said, we want everything

[Steve Saxty]

As others have said, we want everything

I've been here before! But then you end up with a £45-80 book!

[Steve Saxty]

What about design sketches if I ask Dave Hilton who designed the car to mark up what he was thinking?

I did that in my last Ford book, The Cars You Always Promised Yourself and they proved popular. He was keen to use the rear brake scoops to cool them - didn't work, they simply looked cool!


RS2.jpg

[macaneli]

We can vote to see how many of us are interested for the book