Ever since it was founded, Ford has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with drivers from all markets, featuring models that are deceptively practical for everyday use while feeling a little blue-collar, which is partly why the brand has been so widely successful with everyone from the penny-pinching family man to the businessman with a need for speed. Along the way, the brand has produced quite a few shocking speed demons. That is achieved by a winning formula of low price and motorsport knowledge.

A quick Ford is for the everyday driver close enough to a normal road car to be comfortable yet provides that thrill of a far more expensive high performance vehicle. And the firm’s rich history in racing, rallying and track tuning provided its engineers with a thorough knowledge of how to convert the daily driver into a motor that is capable of real sport. In the end, they are cars that cemented Ford’s performance authority for more than half a century. Some were rare, only ever made in single figures and others have become some of the most common race and road cars on the globe. Comprising everything from small hot hatchbacks and rally legends to muscle cars and endurance race champions.

1. Ford Racing Puma (1999-’01)

The standard Ford Puma was already regarded as one of the most stylish small coupes of its day. Ford was looking to capitalize on that design by producing a special edition that encapsulated the company’s racing and rally experience. Design engineers at Ford’s Boreham development centre set about turning the Puma from a sporty profile into a sharper, sportier proposition. The car they produced was the Racing Puma, a small coupe that was far closer to Ford’s racing expertise.

Ford Racing Puma Performance Features:

• Wider bodywork and increased track widths
• Specially developed Alcon performance brakes
• Motorsport-focused suspension and handling setup
• 1.7-litre engine gained extra 70bhp
• Only 500 examples were produced

First introduced in 1999, the Racing Puma wore broader bodywork, a more aggressive front end and an expanded front and rear track. The update, which was first shown in concept form at the 1998 British International Motor Show, incorporated additional tucks in the bodywork, special use of aluminum suspension parts, and the Four-time WRC World Rally Champion, Stig Blomqvist, joined the team of engineers tuning the handling of the coup. Under the bonnet, the Racing Puma retained the naturally aspirated 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine, but this was tweaked to develop 70bhp more than a normal production Puma. It was felt a turbocharger could have been an option but, due to the expense, it was not. Limited to only 500 cars, the Racing Puma is an increasingly rare Ford performance car; fewer than 300 are thought to remain.

2. Ford Escort Cosworth (1992-’96)

The Ford Escort RS Cosworth adopted the Escort name, but was drastically different from its family hatchback namesake beneath the skin. The original Mk5 Escort floorpan had been created for front wheel drive and could not be adapted to fit the four-wheel-drive rally layout that Ford had created for the project. Fortunately, a solution was found in the floorpan of the Sierra Cosworth, which Ford was able to adapt. The first 2,500 cars were fitted with a large Garrett turbocharger intended to support competition use. On public roads, however, that setup produced considerable turbo lag.

Ford Escort Cosworth Key Features:

• Sierra Cosworth floorpan underneath
• Four-wheel-drive rally performance layout
• Distinctive large rear spoiler
• Cosworth-developed 2.0-litre turbocharged engine
• Two different turbocharger configurations

Designed from the start as a homologation special for rallying, the Escort RS Cosworth was instantly recognisable thanks to its striking bodywork and characteristic whale-tail bootlid. Under the bodywork lurked a Cosworth-massaged 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, one likely to be found powering a rally car rather than a run-about. The first 2,500 cars received a massive Garrett turbocharger that was designed to give competition use a boost. However, on the open road it resulted in a very laggy turbo system. Later, Ford managed to modify the other 4,645 to feature a smaller turbocharger that was much more manageable on a daily basis while still maintaining the car’s mid-range appeal. Two different types of Escort Cosworth ensued.

3. Tickford Capri (1982-’91)

The beginning of the relationship between Tickford and Ford actually predates the appearance of the Racing Puma. Back in the early 80s, Aston Martin’s subsidiary company Aston Martin Tickford was asked to build a fast and luxurious version of the Ford Capri. The result was this rather more upmarket spec of the familiar coupe and became one of the more well-know names in the Ford performance legacy. Its performance was impressive for the period, with the car capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 mph in 18.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 137 mph.

Tickford Capri Performance Features:

• Turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 engine
• Specially designed luxury interior
• Distinctive performance-focused bodykit
• 0-100 mph in 18.5 seconds
• Only 86 examples were produced

The Capri was fitted with a turbo version of the 2.8-litre V6 it would normally carry, and given a bodykit and a plush new interior. All these changes were more than cosmetic, though, and transformed the Capri into a significantly more serious performance car, while also introducing a level of sophistication necessary to make it worthy of the price tag it carried. By the standards of the day, the performance was great, with the 0-100 mph time being 18.5 seconds and the top speed 137 mph. The buy was, however, prohibitively high, being almost double that of a “regular” Capri 2.8 Injection. Consequently, production was low, with only 86 cars made, and the last Capri to be registered in the UK, in September 1991, was a Tickford Capri.

4. Ford Cortina Lotus Mk1 (1963-’66)

The Cortina Lotus started life as an unusual partnership with Lotus’s Colin Chapman who was designing a new engine for his own sports cars when Ford suggested it could be modified for the Cortina, and the car used for racing. It would give the foundation shell from Ford with Lotus tweaking the suspension, steering, running gear and body construction. It resulted in a far more competition-oriented car than the average Cortina.

Ford Cortina Lotus Key Features:

• Developed with Lotus founder Colin Chapman
• Lightweight alloy body panels
• Revised suspension and steering components
• Designed with racing performance in mind
• Became a major motorsport success

Lightweight alloy panels contributed to less weight, and the updated mechanicals made the Cortina Lotus a considerably more sporting machine than the standard Cortina. This combination was too much of a temptation to car magazines and eager buyers. However, the new car’s initial drivetrain problems created doubts about reliability and posed a serious challenge to its fledgling career. When those problems had been solved, the Cortina Lotus turned into actual motorsport success. Its credibility was enhanced by the sight of F1 champion Jim Clark attacking every corner with the car, even lifting three wheels off the ground at times. The lightness, quickness and competitiveness of the Cortina Lotus meant that it is one lasting motorsport icon.

5. Ford Fiesta XR2 Mk1 (1980-’83)

Towards the end of the 1970s small hatchbacks were gaining popularity with the public. Having enjoyed huge commercial success with its front-wheel-drive Fiesta, Ford still did not have a fast enough version of the Fiesta to go head-to-head with those who wanted to have some fun in a smaller car. Ford now started looking at how it could give the Fiesta a punchier image. The XR2 combined its responsive engine with lowered and stiffened suspension, making it especially appealing to younger performance drivers.

Ford Fiesta XR2 Performance Features:

• 1.6-litre Kent engine
• Lowered and stiffened suspension
• Performance-focused compact hatchback
• Distinctive front-end styling
• Built for younger performance drivers

Ford played around with the concept in 1980 with the Fiesta Supersport. Its 1.3-litre engine and keen exterior appeal piqued interest but performance lacked the punch that enthusiasts craved. Ford subsequently put a slightly larger version of the Kent in the Fiesta XR2 in 1981, giving the car a more authentic hot hatch persona and strengthening its offering in a new car segment. The other features which made the XR2 a popular choice with younger performance enthusiasts were the bite, and its lowered and stiffer suspension. The pronounced front end with round headlamps in bumper-mounted lens units further defined the unique look of the Ford XR2. The model added to the Ford hot hatch foothold in the market growing hotter hat segment.

6. Ford Sierra XR8 (1984-’85)

The other fun one was Ford’s decision to follow a different recipe when it came to building the company’s track-bred Sierra. Although European models could be had with a 2.0 turbocharged lump, South African engineers had a far more aggressive intention. They threw a 4.9-litre Windsor V8 -from the Mustang- in the back of a five-door Sierra hatchback. This odd combination transformed the practical hatchback’s personality.

Ford Sierra XR8 Performance Features:

• 4.9-litre Windsor V8 engine
• Mustang-sourced engine hardware
• Extensive drivetrain modifications
• Revised suspension and front bodywork
• Only 250 examples were built

Plopping this giant lump of an engine in the car wasn’t just a case of a simple engine change. The car needed a serious overhaul to the drivetrain, new suspension and front end bodywork to create the airflow for the bigger powertrain. Even with those big changes, the double rear wing was intact to finish off the Sierra’s distinctive sporting look. It was built just 250 examples in order to comply with homologation regulations, making the XR8 arguably the most exclusive of the XB range. Driven in racing, the XR8 proved the concept, with the large-capacity V8 and a hatchback body providing an interesting alternative to the other performance Fords of the era. Now, it is a reminder of just how much Ford’s regional engineers pushed the boundaries of the formula.

7. Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (1967-’70)

The bold performance approach Ford and Shelby applied to the Mustang was simple: if you wanted more power, you needed a bigger V8. Ford and Shelby set out to build a bigger, badder big brother to the popular 4.7-litre V8 Mustang GT350 and they produced that in 1967, with a 7.0-litre V8 and installed roll bar for added protection, thus bringing the Mustang to a new level of performance. Ford eventually took control of development in 1969 as Shelby moved on to other projects. The following cars received minor styling changes, while the 1970 models were essentially 1969 cars carrying different stickers.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Highlights:

• 7.0-litre V8 introduced in 1967
• Larger engine than GT350
• Installed roll bar improved safety
• GT500 KR used 7.2-litre V8
• Increasingly powerful American muscle car

Shelby would raise the power level again in 1968, with the GT500 KR (KR being short for ‘King of the Road’) which was powered by a 7.2 litre V8, rated at 335bhp – but which was thought to be nearer 400bhp in reality. This was the increasingly powerful path of the American musclecar and another step up for the GT500. By 1969, when Shelby moved on to other endeavors, Ford was managing the development of these cars. The next few cars returned to more subtle styling cues, while the 1970 GT500s were little more than ’69 cars with different stickers. Still, the GT500 era is a significant chapter in Ford muscle car history, showcasing the automaker’s knack for growing ever more potent street performance cars.

8. Ford Thunderbird Mk1 (1955-’57)

For those late-1950s Americans in search of a two-seat convertible sports car on a budget, the Chevrolet Corvette was the only obvious rival. Ford hired a design team to produce a two-seat convertible of its own, with a 4.8-litre V8 and a top speed over 100 mph, and the newly branded Thunderbird entered Ford into the budding American sports-car scene. Ford continued refining the Thunderbird throughout its three-year production run. Changes included moving the spare wheel to the rear bumper and introducing larger engines.

Ford Thunderbird Mk1 Performance Features:

• Two-seat convertible sports car
• 4.8-litre V8 engine
• Designed to exceed 100 mph
• More luxurious than Corvette approach
• Rare supercharged performance version

Instead of attempting to mimic the Corvette’s formula, Ford decided to make the Thunderbird a more refined variant of the two-seat sports car. The plan was a huge success at retail. In its first model year on sale, the Thunderbird managed an improbable 23 to 1 sales advantage over the Corvette, a huge lead for the fledgling model. The production run lasted three years and the Thunderbird was continually tweaked during this period with changes such as relocating the spare wheel to the rear bumper and larger engine sizes were made. There was also a supercharged version, which is thought to have been capable of around 300bhp, this offering added another speed chapter to the early Thunderbird story.

9. Ford RS 200 (1984-’86)

The other Group B championship rally cars of the 1980s were huge in power, blisteringly fast and fiercely specialised racing cars. To stay in the game on the world stage, Ford built the RS 200 as a rally-focused machine, not a ‘normal’ car gussied up for the rally stage. Everything about it was built to the needs of international rallying. Despite those difficulties, the RS 200 demonstrated its potential with a third-place finish at the 1986 Rally of Sweden.

Ford RS 200 Rally Features:

• Purpose-built Group B rally machine
• Four-wheel-drive performance layout
• Mid-mounted 1.8-litre turbo engine
• Produced 444bhp in competition form
• Third at 1986 Rally Sweden

The RS 200 was four-wheel drive and equipped with a mid-mounted 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that made 444bhp. The car was built with rally requirements in mind so it was a bespoke machine for Ford to enter in one of the most challenging forms of racing in the world. There were issues when the car was first launched including turbo lag and a high power-to-weight ratio. Regardless of these struggles, the RS 200 showed its potential with a third-place finish at the 1986 Rally of Sweden. Its overall narrative was also intertwined with Group B’s grave safety concerns. In a subsequent Rally of Portugal, an RS 200 lost control of the road and claimed three lives. The incident ultimately helped trigger a rethink of Group B, which was disbanded at the end of the 1986 season.

10. Ford GT40 (1964-’69)

The Ford GT40 stands today as one of the most iconic endurance racing cars of all time, but it was conceived out of Ford’s drive to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford initially sought to buy Ferrari, but Enzo Ferrari pulled out of the deal at the eleventh hour. Ford executives then refocused their attention on beating Ferrari on the racing circuit. The breakthrough came at Le Mans in 1966, when the GT40 delivered a historic 1-2-3 finish against Ferrari. The victory was followed by further Le Mans wins in 1967, 1968, and 1969, establishing the GT40 as a defining part of Ford’s motorsport heritage.

Ford GT40 Motorsport Highlights:

• Developed specifically for Le Mans
• Designed by Eric Broadley
• Carroll Shelby helped refine development
• Historic 1966 Le Mans 1-2-3
• Four consecutive Le Mans victories

Ford hired designer Eric Broadley to produce a car to take on Ferrari. The earliest versions were not robust enough, so Carroll Shelby was brought in to help shape the car to be more competitive. As more was learned about the machine it grew into a machine capable of victory at the pinnacle of endurance racing. A year later, at Le Mans in 1966, it finally arrived when the GT40 completed an historic 1-2-3 finish in order to beat Ferrari. The GT40 next added to this Le Mans success by recording victory at the race in 1967, 1968 and 1969, in turn elevating the model into the revered list of Ford’s most iconic performance cars.