Remember these ?

[RedUn]

I remember VBH doing the road test on the racing puma when they first came out

[sars]

Due to the delay with the Puma, we had a Ford Probe as a loaner for three months, that was quite nice too

[buzyg]

It’s the racing puma version , very rare now . Approx 100 or so left apparently!!

I know exactly what that is. I fancied one of these as my daily a few years back, but I just could not find a decent one, all had been ragged to death. Fantastic little cars. Calling it a fiesta in a frock is also fine by me. The fast fiestas have also been cracking little cars, but the Racing Puma had a few lovely little touches that made it even more special. No surprise good one fetch good money now, Worth every penny IMHO. I'd take a good one over an M3 every day of the week.

[buzyg]

Due to the delay with the Puma, we had a Ford Probe as a loaner for three months, that was quite nice too

A Mondeo in a frock.

We had that very Mondeo 24v Si at the time

To be honest my Mk1 Primera from that period could run rings around both of them in the corners. But the ford was a better Family car.

[Mr Tidy]

Worth every penny IMHO. I'd take a good one over an M3 every day of the week.

I wouldn't!

As good as the Racing Puma may be I'd still rather have an S54 in the engine bay.

[buzyg]

Worth every penny IMHO. I'd take a good one over an M3 every day of the week.

I wouldn't!

As good as the Racing Puma may be I'd still rather have an S54 in the engine bay.

I was talking about the new M3. But I was never a huge fan of the S54 M3s either. Always just a bit too predictable. The few times I drove one I didn't gel with them, even on track. Great cars I know but never my cup of tea.

[BMWZ4MC]

They look a little different now after the name being relaunched

Rather like the Mustang in that respect.
It’s interesting that both Puma and Mustang appear in the advertisement with Steve McQueen and the names of all three have been sold out by Ford!

[sars]

Due to the delay with the Puma, we had a Ford Probe as a loaner for three months, that was quite nice too

A Mondeo in a frock.

We had that very Mondeo 24v Si at the time

To be honest my Mk1 Primera from that period could run rings around both of them in the corners. But the ford was a better Family car.

Yes but it had pop up headlights and the Mondeo didn’t, I liked the Probe it was comfortable and quite aesthetically pleasing. The Puma though, I remember once coming back to the car after we’d had it a few weeks and there was a crowd around it, looking in and admiring it.

[Spriteracer]

There is currently a race series for Pumas with the CSCC. Not enough for their own race but 5 were racing at Snetterton earlier this month.

[buzyg]

Due to the delay with the Puma, we had a Ford Probe as a loaner for three months, that was quite nice too

A Mondeo in a frock.

We had that very Mondeo 24v Si at the time

To be honest my Mk1 Primera from that period could run rings around both of them in the corners. But the ford was a better Family car.

Yes but it had pop up headlights and the Mondeo didn’t, I liked the Probe it was comfortable and quite aesthetically pleasing. The Puma though, I remember once coming back to the car after we’d had it a few weeks and there was a crowd around it, looking in and admiring it.

Pop up head lights .

That has it. Where can I get one .

Before they all rust away.

[Pondrew]

It is strange how both the Puma and especially the Probe never became desirable used.
The Probe has been used as a base for several kit cars. I nearly bought a 24v Probe once because it was cheap. Glad I didn't as they only got significantly cheaper.
I may be wrong but I seem to remember the Probe being based on the US '90s Mustang; the c*ap one.

[craig3.2]

I think the 1.7 version had a Yamaha designed cylinder head for more performance?
Rob

Yeah,great cars and engine.
Wasn't a Ford fan,more Vauxhall for me back in the day,but they made some very nice Coswoeths etc
A mate had one of the Standard pumas with the 1.7 Yamaha engine,the year they launched. Talking about it to my mate the other night, compared to the Puma SUV out now

[BMWZ4MC]

It is strange how both the Puma and especially the Probe never became desirable used.
The Probe has been used as a base for several kit cars. I nearly bought a 24v Probe once because it was cheap. Glad I didn't as they only got significantly cheaper.
I may be wrong but I seem to remember the Probe being based on the US '90s Mustang; the c*ap one.

AFAIK all ICE Mustangs have been rear wheel drive. Weren’t the Ford Probe and the Mazda MX6 essentially the same car?

[Pondrew]

Weren’t the Ford Probe and the Mazda MX6 essentially the same car?

MX6. Another utter failure.
Mazda and Ford had a very close relationship until very recently, so probably. All Ford 2L and 2.3L ecoboost engines are still based on the Mazda L block (as are Volvos and presumably many others). I know my 2010 Mazda6 was a Mondeo in a frock and was a fantastic car.

[BMWZ4MC]

I frequently see old Ford Fiestas badged as Mazda 121s here in Sydney. I don’t remember seeing them in the UK, but that’s probably because the Fiesta was ubiquitous there so I stopped seeing them all together