FOCUS COSSIE

330bhp YB-powered, 4x4, Focus built for fast-road fun!

As far as ambitious restomod projects go, David Richards’ Focus ST170 is up there with the best of ‘em. Packing a tuned Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 powertrain and Focus RS body parts ( not to mention a tidy lick of fresh paint), this seam-welded stunner has been a three-year labour of love for its creator, although it’s far from the first big build he’s carried out.

“I bought a Mk2 Escort 1.3GL that became a flat-fronted RS2000 replica,” says the 44-year- old from the West Midlands. “The car was totalled in a regrettable accident, an event that led to the purchase of another Mk2 that I turned into a tarmac rally machine powered by a 1700 Crossflow,” he says, before furnishing us with tales of his time behind the wheel. “I wasn’t very competitive. The Mk2 was my only car, so I was always too afraid to go flat out in case I caused damage that would prevent me from driving home after a round of rallying!” he smiles.

Things are quite different today; David’s job as a mobile access engineer for a leading plant hire firm sees him drive a Transit most of the time he’s on the road. Having a workhorse