Ford Puma

The Ford Puma

In summer of 2007, after 6 months and 15,000 miles, I gave in and accepted that my daily 60 mile commute was no longer feasible in my 1994 Mini. It was fun but it was too noisy, cramped, uncomfortable, unsafe and slow (on the motorway). So what should I buy? I didn't have much money to spend on a '2nd' car but it had to be comfy, and it had to be a bit interesting, reliable, cool(ish) and most of all it had to be fun.

After weeks of thinking about it I realised there was a brilliant wee car that I'd been overlooking - the Ford Puma. Its superb fun to drive, its fast (in my 1.7 litre form), it looks funky and a bit different and most of the parts are cheap and easy to find because its based largely on the common or garden Ford Fiesta. The best bit is that when I want to take it easy, its quiet, comfortable and smooth.

Quick Ford Puma Facts

Conceived by Jac Nasser and Claude Lobo as a way to make the most of Fiesta MkIV's superb chassis which was receiving rave reviews.
Superb uprated handling by Richard Parry-Jones. Uprated brakes and close ratio gearbox
Cracking engines especially the 1.7 Ford Yamaha Zetec unit with variable valve timing. 1.7 figures - 123 bhp, 126mph, 8.6 to 60 (later models were slower due to greater torque limiter on 1st gear).
Exterior design by Chris Svensson, interior design and packaging by John Hartnell. Clever 'feline' styling with unique headlight and taillight treatment
All road tests were full of glowing praise at the time and waiting lists of up to 6 months when new.
Proper sporting driving position - laid back with arms outstretched
Based on Ford Fiesta underpinnings, so parts are plentiful and cheap. Note - The Ford Fiesta of the time was a fine handling hatch, that the motoring press loved (the model before it was pants though!).