The Ford Puma program was initiated in 1993 when then-Ford CEO and President Jacques Nasser and Ford Small and Medium Vehicle design director Claude Lobo discussed the possibility of doing a 2+2 coupe based on the Fiesta chassis. All development was done using the Paintbox CAD system, which allowed designers to render 2D and 3D models. The first iteration of the design, called the Lynx concept car, was unveiled at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show , and the production car was launched in Geneva the following year.

All Pumas are front-engined, front-wheel-drive, three-door coupes with four seats. They came with 15-inch (380 mm) alloy wheels as standard, with front disc and rear drum brakes. The car was based on the Mark 4 Ford Fiesta, with new engines (codeveloped with Yamaha), a new body, stiffer suspension, wider track and close-ratio gearbox, among other changes. The Puma was available with four engine options: 1.4-litre (1997-2000), 1.6-litre (2000-2001), 1.7-litre VCT only used in the Puma, and the Tickford-tuned 1.7-litre VCT only used in the Ford Racing Puma, each of which used Ford's 16-v Sigma engines branded as Zetec-SE. The production journey of the 1.7-litre VCT was quite interesting. Rough machined cylinder blocks were shipped from Ford's Valencia plant in Spain to Yamaha in Japan for Nikasil coating and completion. These were then shipped back to Ford's Cologne plant where the Puma was assembled. All 1.7-litre-engined Pumas were equipped with low-speed traction control and antilock brakes. The antilock braking system was optional in the 1.4-litre Puma.

First registered 23rd January 2002 this 1.7 litre Puma is presented in Metallic Silver with black cloth trim. The Ford Puma coupled to the 1.7litre VCT engine is one of the best handling cars of the early 2000's; it has just the right amount of power for a driver to 'wring the neck' of the car while remaining balanced and having a great deal of fun. A well-maintained example privately owned with an MoT certificate until August 2026, these cars are equally adept in the city as they are on windy country roads - with mod cons such as air conditioning and ABS - while cocooned in that wonderful coupe shape with four seats - so fun, practical and pretty! Consigned by Mathew Priddy

Guide Price £5,000-£10,000

Lot details
Year: 2001
Make: Ford
Model: Puma (1.7 litre VCT)
Registration: HT51 FWM
Chassis No: WF0CXXGAEC1K18896
Odometer: 91,000

* Just two former keepers
* Desirable 1.7 VCT Zetec S engine