Currently reading: Paris show 2012: Ford may make single-seat road car

Ford is considering a limited production run of road-legal Formula Fords, similar to the model which recently ran at the Nürburgring

A road-legal Formula Ford single seater is under consideration, a company spokesman has told Autocar.

Speaking at the Paris motor show, such a car would be produced as part of a strictly limited run of between 20 and 40 cars and powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder Ecoboost engine.

A road-legal Formula Ford recently set the 11th fastest-ever lap at the Nürburgring, beating cars such as the Pagani Zonda and Lamborghini Aventador. A production version would be similar, but would produce around 160bhp, not the 205bhp of the Nürburgring car.

The Ford spokesman said a road-legal Formula Ford car could cost "under £50k" ready for both road and track. Discussions are proceeding "positively".

Steve Cropley

Steve Cropley Autocar
Title: Editor-in-chief

Steve Cropley is the oldest of Autocar’s editorial team, or the most experienced if you want to be polite about it. He joined over 30 years ago, and has driven many cars and interviewed many people in half a century in the business. 

Cropley, who regards himself as the magazine’s “long stop”, has seen many changes since Autocar was a print-only affair, but claims that in such a fast moving environment he has little appetite for looking back. 

He has been surprised and delighted by the generous reception afforded the My Week In Cars podcast he makes with long suffering colleague Matt Prior, and calls it the most enjoyable part of his working week.

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Peter Cavellini 30 September 2012

A good idea?

Yes, maybe Car makers should look at this kind of car, but not at £50K+, most of us need that kind of cash to live,half that amount would be feasable,of course, i can't see the Wife or girlfriend happily waving them off to work in one though, can you?

Dave Ryan 30 September 2012

Less than £50k...

To be fair to Ford, they did say that a road-going FFord would cost "under £50k" - which makes sense, given a complete FFord isn't that much in the first place. Admittedly there'll probably be engineering changes for type approval and so on, but I think they're probably allowing themselves some breathing space with that estimate.

If they do build it, then if I had the money I'd definitely buy one. Sod practicality, you have to live a little sometimes...

TegTypeR 1 October 2012

I wonder how much it would

I wonder how much it would cost to pick up a decent ex race Forumla Ford car and do the conversion yourself?

Now I know this one is a 1600 and it isn't brand new but.........

http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/44649/complete_formula_ford_festival_ready_ff1600_package.html

P.S.  Warning, if you are of a delicate nature and prone to wanting something you shouldn't, please don't look at this web site!

AutoChomp 29 September 2012

Ive seen a few Atoms,

Ive seen a few Atoms, including one on a motorway with a guy dressed all in white which raised a smile.

I have never understood why big car companies havent got behind something like this. If a tiny company like Ariel or Caterham can turn profit on these type of cars, surely Ford can. Plus some people would buy them with more confidence due to the manufacture backing.

Although I'd rather have a 2.0VTEC than a 1.0 Ecoboost anyday.

Peter Cavellini 29 September 2012

????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doesn't matter, like the Ariel Atom, i've never seen one in the metal on the public highway,this, will be even rarer.