The Ford Focus has a complicated history filled with memorable quirks. From the original RS that was never available in the U.S. to the lackluster “second-generation” model we received, the Focus showcased what Ford could accomplish with a compact car—though that potential was often underwhelming in practice. In the U.S., it led to some eye-catching one-offs showcased at events like SEMA, and currently, one such creation can be found for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
This striking papaya orange model is situated in Sarasota, Florida, featuring an original RS widebody kit along with a Whipple-supercharged Coyote V8 engine that reportedly delivers 725 horsepower. At the time of its creation, well before the all-wheel-drive RS was introduced, all that power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Its features include a full roll cage, an Eaton limited-slip differential, Cobra brakes, and a Tremec T45 five-speed manual transmission—elements that mark this as a tuner’s dream project, likely dating back to the mid-2000s. If the loud paint, prominent cowl hood, and hefty subwoofer in the trunk didn’t give it away, the overall aesthetic certainly suggests its age.
This Focus bears a striking resemblance to a model that sold for $35,200 at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona back in January. A report from Ford Muscle indicates this particular build, based on a 2001 hatchback, produced “over 500 horsepower” and was outfitted with an 8.8-inch live axle from a Mustang. Whether that “over” is doing a lot of work or if this Focus has become even more powerful since then is unclear. Currently, it is listed for $53,500 or possibly a “cool trade.” Given it’s 2024, it’s unsurprising that someone is aiming for a nice profit off this sale.
It’s unclear who originally built this high-performance hatchback, but creations like this weren’t rare during the Focus’s peak popularity. Ford even ventured into this territory itself with the RS8, which featured a 5.0-liter, 420-horsepower Cammer crate engine. This unique ride was designed to look like a standard Euro-market RS from 2003, complete with blue paint and rally-style bumpers.
Personally, I prefer the understated flair of the RS8 to today’s flashy offering. Yet, everyone has their taste. For those who find this Focus appealing, the time to act is now.
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