Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round as we take a humorous and satirical journey through Ford’s remarkable legacy in the South African motoring scene. We’re about to explore some classic cars, colorful history, and unveil a few surprises along the way.
The Capri Perana: The Godfather of V8-Powered Fords
Let’s start with the big daddy of them all, the Ford Capri Perana. This V8-powered beast is the reason road surfaces trembled and tire manufacturers thrived. With the weight of its Ford factory-sanctioned V8 engine and a place in South Africa’s Motorsport Hall of Fame, the Perana is the definition of street cred.
Thanks to its domination on the racetrack, the Perana went from track to road, with 500 road-legal models emerging from Basil Green’s workshop. With a total weight of 1,100kg and a growling 210 kW and 407 Nm of power, the Capri Perana was a street-legal hooligan you didn’t want to mess with.
The Cortina: Where Bakkie Dreams Were Born
Who knew a car could influence the evolution of bakkies? Ford’s Cortina did just that. During the ’70s and ’80s, the Cortina was the star of Ford’s show. They even released a special edition with a gold, green, and black color scheme to support the Springbok team during the 1976 All Blacks tour. The result? A Cortina that screamed “I’m here to party” with green paint and a side pinstripe that looked like it belonged at a disco.
The Mk4 Cortina: A Time Machine to the ’70s
The ’70s gave us digital cameras, inkjet printers, and email, but more importantly, the Mk4 Cortina with the “3.0S” suffix. This V6-powered ride paved the way for the Mk5 Cortina XR6. And what a transformation it was! The XR6 eventually became the 118 kW Ford Cortina XR6 Interceptor. This bad boy was like a neon sign on wheels with its Wild Coral Red paint and a trunk spoiler big enough to double as a coffee table.
Under the hood, it packed triple downdraft 42 Weber carburetors and a new exhaust manifold, because who needs subtlety when you’ve got a Cortina XR6 Interceptor?
The Sierra XR8: Ready for the Thunder Track
Behold the Sierra XR8, a car so fast it had lightning bolts painted on it. With a 5.0-liter V8 from a Mustang, a Borg Warner five-speed manual transmission, and more go-faster parts than an F1 car, it was a true track star. Over 250 examples were produced, but rumor has it, one was powered by pure adrenaline and ran on unicorn tears.
The Focus RS: When Focus Became a Battle Cry
In 2003, Ford introduced the Ford Focus ST, making performance accessible to all. But it didn’t stop there. The Ford Focus RS arrived, boasting 257 kW of power from a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. With 440 Nm of torque sent to all four wheels, it could sprint faster than a caffeinated cheetah. Ford knew that subtlety isn’t in their vocabulary when they unleashed the Focus RS.
The Mighty Mustang: Galloping Into Our Hearts
Last but not least, over a decade after the Focus ST, the Ford Mustang sauntered into the South African market. With a choice of a roaring 5.0-liter V8 or a more conservative 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, it quickly became a local favorite. It stands tall as one of Ford’s flagship offerings, reminding us that when it comes to cars, Ford knows how to make them bold and memorable.
In conclusion, Ford’s journey through South African roads has been nothing short of legendary, producing iconic cars that make us smile, rev our engines, and keep us entertained on the road. Whether it’s the thundering V8s or the colorful Cortinas, Ford has left an indelible mark on the South African motoring scene. So, buckle up, folks, because Ford’s funtastic journey is far from over!
