[Ataru]

The Competitors


The Winner:


Davor

Wow. I really don't know what to say. I never thought I would win FOTM. Car was relatively unchanged for the last 3 years but I am still treating her with respect.

My story begins with bitter-sweet Focus experience. I bought Fort Knox Gold LX sedan day after Christmas 1999. In the first year alone car spent 104 days being repaired at local dealership after being towed due to numerous malfunctions. To add insult to injury I was not given rental car at any point. In August 2001 I decided I had enough, so I went to different Ford dealership to trade current Focus for a new one. Well this car was it. Contract gave me extended warranty and rental in case I need one. As you can see she is still in my possession and I intend on keeping her for as long as I can. I bought an auto-tragic because I never intended modifying it in any way. Little did I know one small mod would lead to new bigger one. In 2005 I bought the now-o2designs-famous wagon thinking it will be unmodified daily driver but 20 hrs later local Craigslist seller treated me with brand new Koni Yellow/H&R's for $100. One year later I am keen on modifying both Foci and for once enjoying 5-speed every day. But before things got out of hand and I ended up with two money pits I sold the wagon [now ticked by seller remorse] to one fellow who drove 3600 miles to take delivery. To me having an auto-tragic was a blessing because it saved me thousands on engine mods I live in Florida now and soon my Focus will be by my side once again; I hope that I will keep meeting new Focus owners.

Again, thanks to all who made this possible, I am one happyer Focus owner.

MODS:

2001 Pitch Black ZX3
Stock powertrain

Suspension
H&R PCS Coilovers w/o helper springs
Progress rear swaybar
P51 shims
FocusTuning upper stress bars [front/rear]

Wheels
16x7.5/9 DZ Exclusiv1 w/ Yokohama rubber
17x7.5 ATS DTM w/ Nitto rubber
17x8.5 Brock B1 w/ Falken rubber

Brakes
Standard BatInc EBC rotors
Hawk pads
Aeroquip SS braided brake hoses F/R

Exterior
Standard '98 Euro Bumpers F/R
Standard '98 Euro Grille upper/lower
Glass Euro Fog Lamp conversion
SVT Headlights
Clear/amber turn signals
Mattig Drop Mirrors
WingsWest sideskirts
Lumma Tuning hatch wing
Euro rear wiper
All badges removed

Interior
FK reclineable seats
SVT blue/black rear bench
Blaupunkt head unit
winter SVT red/black interior swap