2008 Ford Focus ST500

Highlights

• Limited edition of 500
• Stylish colour scheme said to evoke the 1966 GT40
• Recaro seats trimmed in bright red leather
• Milltek stainless exhaust system
• Long MOT

Overview

Launched in 2005, you might remember a certain Mr Clarkson driving the Mk2 Focus ST on Top Gear and gleefully dubbing it ‘the ASBO’, a nickname it’s been eagerly dining out on ever since. The grunt swells from a brawny turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine with a dash of Volvo in the DNA, and with a handy 222bhp to muck about with, buyers were treated to the level of power you’d have found in the iconic Escort RS Cosworth – but this time housed within a civilised hatchback that’s perfectly willing to trundle to the shops.

The Mk2 Focus ST wasn’t just about redneck wheel-spinning and shouty noises: the chassis that underpins it is properly sorted. Any Blue Oval enthusiasts will tell you that the Mk1 Focus was a slinky little sweetheart even in base spec; the Mk2 built on that everyday majesty and paired it with a bodyshell that was usefully stiffer, while maintaining impressive levels of refinement.

The ST we have here, however, is no ordinary ST. This is an ST500.

Now, spoiler alert – the number in the name doesn’t refer to the power figure; while the aftermarket has proven it readily achievable to squeeze 500bhp out of these engines, that’s not what Ford did here. No, the figure refers to the limited-run nature of it: just 500 examples of the ST500 were built, and they were properly loaded with kit from the factory: leather Recaros, xenons, sat nav, rain-sensing wipers, the works. But the real talking point was the vibrant aesthetic: the exterior treatment sought to evoke the visceral thrills of the GT40 that triumphed at Le Mans in 1966 (er, sort of), echoing its black paintwork with rakish silver racing stripes. And if you peep through the window, you’ll see that the leather trim is a vivid lipstick red.

As a firm fan favourite, so many Mk2s get ostentatiously modified, but it’s clear that this Focus’s former keepers have respected its limited-edition nature and kept things largely as Ford intended, save for a stainless Milltek exhaust (which, frankly, is a very smart upgrade, as it really does sound great). With relatively low miles and a long MOT, it’s a modern classic that’s ready to enjoy.

History and documentation

• Registered 1 Mar 2008
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Purchased by the current keeper in 2017
• Two former keepers
• Part service history, with service book stamped in Mar 2010 @10,675 miles, Feb 2011 @18,137 miles, Feb 2012 @27,305 miles, Apr 2018 @69,738 miles, May 2019 @70,644 miles, May 2022 @72,376 miles and Nov 2023 @74,102 miles
• Document pack in Ford zipped wallet
• Receipt for Milltek non-resonated stainless steel exhaust system - £505 - 2017
• Current MOT with no advisories, expires 11 May 2025
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The bright red leather trim is wonderfully vivid, and the interior overall appears to have aged well
• Recaro seats, with a little gentle patina to the driver’s seat bolsters
• Perforated leather steering wheel trim is pleasingly free from excessive wear
• High spec includes automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers
• Factory Sony head unit with 6-CD changer
• Model-specific ST500 dash plaque
• Stainless ST sill plates welcome you aboard
• Doorcards are free from scuffs and undue button wear
• There’s a tidy carpet inside the impressively spacious boot
• Old-school fans rejoice, there’s a great big boost gauge on the dash-top

Exterior

• The evocative racer styling of the colour scheme really cuts a dash, giving this pre-facelift Mk2 a lot of road presence
• Factory 18-inch ‘snowflake’ alloys are a pretty design; one has just a little kerbing
• Light lenses and window glass all in good order
• Correct badging is all present and correct
• There are a few age-related scuffs to the paintwork, but nothing major
• In all, it’s a stylish example of a true modern classic, that hasn’t been mucked about with

Mechanical

• 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo produced 222bhp and 236 lb ft when new
• 6-speed manual gearbox
• Brakes have been upgraded with drilled and grooved discs
• The car benefits from a non-resonated stainless steel Milltek exhaust system
• Current mileage is 76,500
• Battery and alternator reportedly replaced two months ago
• A highly entertaining drive, ready for adventure straight away

Summary

It’s rare to find a Mk2 ST that hasn’t been molested, and it’s the limited-edition nature of this ST500 that’s saved it from the pop-and-bang-map brigade. A thoroughly presentable example inside and out, its mileage is well below average and the addition of the Milltek system helps give an appropriate voice to that legendary five-pot motor.

Time will tell whether the ST500 becomes an appreciating classic in the vein of the retro XR and RS models, but as an everyday thriller today it looks like it’ll be tremendous value for money. And just look at those bright red seats – they’ll put a smile on your face every single day.

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