[ Owning a Ford Racing Puma]
Simon Crosby, Warks
‘I’m the technical adviser for racing-puma.co.uk. Like most FRP owners I started with a standard Puma, but the Racing is one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. These cars aren’t all that quick, but on a twisty road they’ll outhandle pretty much anything. Their exclusivity is another plus point.
‘I own car no. 27, and no. 376 [seen left] belongs to my son Ben. He’s 16 and we restored it together, which was easier than it might have been because I’d bought plenty of parts over the years. We also cannibalised a standard Puma.
‘Restoration will cost over £10k. Even if you buy a good car you’ll need to budget £500 per year on maintenance, £200 of which will be to look after the Alcon brakes – but it’s worth every penny. These cars appeal to owners of some very exotic machinery; drive one and you’ll see why.’
Alan Mowberry, Kent
‘I bought my Racing Puma in 2006. It was my everyday commuter car but I’ve also taken it for at least 30 laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Now it’s mainly for shows; few of these cars are used regularly.
‘I had a track-ready standard Puma, and the Racing would still outhandle it. I’ve fitted an original limited-slip differential to my car, which was a £250 option, but just 80 cars received one when new. It transforms the drive when pushing on.
‘I’ve fully restored my car, and in the 13 years that I’ve owned it my Puma has cost me about £30k in maintenance. For that it’s given me incredible memories of trips all round the UK and Europe, and the car is in better shape than ever.
‘I help run the register for the club and I’ve got mileage details of 441 cars. Most have done between 60k and 100k miles. Some of the nicest FRPS have been driven the most.’
Michelle Sutton, Carmenthenshire
‘I was 23 when I bought a Puma 1.4 and three years later I graduated to an FRP. I bought it to use every day and 11 years later I still do. I spend around £1500 annually to keep it going, but it’s only this low thanks to the help I get from fellow club members with sourcing parts, and I do much of the routine maintenance myself. My car isn’t garaged and it’s used in all weathers, so I’m fighting a constant battle against rust. Soon I’ll need to get the sills repaired, and to do the job properly will cost £4000.
‘It’s still on its original suspension, so a £500 investment in some fresh springs also beckons. It’s worth every penny though because it’s so much fun to drive. I plan to keep using it for as long as possible, even though it’s not suited to everyday use because it’s so rust-prone.’