| I always wonder just how frustrated Vincent Van | | | | £4000 for a 2002 version. |
| Gogh must be. I mean he went though life a pauper, | | | | Despite being built on a Fiesta chassis the Puma |
| with none of his brushwork garnering any interest | | | | handles really rather well and coupled with a high |
| whatsoever and decided that the best way forward | | | | revving engine developed in conjunction with |
| was to do a Doubting Thomas job on his ear and | | | | Yamaha, it's quite a nippy car. Engine choices were |
| then end it all. Fast forward a few years (well and a | | | | initially restricted to a 1.7 litre unit producing 123bhp. |
| few more) and his art is renowned and has stupid | | | | Later models were also offered with a 1.4 litre engine |
| price tags attached to it left, right and centre. | | | | which despite only developing 89bhp doesn't seem |
| He's not the first person to become more famous | | | | sluggish, before Ford settled on a slightly more |
| post-humorously either: Tupac Shakur, James Dean, | | | | powerful 1.6 litre engine in 2000. |
| Jeff Buckley and Kurt Cobain have become idolised | | | | The styling was radical at the time, with the Puma |
| even more so than when their hearts were whizzing | | | | being one of Ford's first 'New edge' look vehicles. The |
| along. In recent years there's been an influx in using | | | | best way to describe the Puma is like a cuddly |
| dead famous celebrities in the world of advertising | | | | bubble, although if you're a male driving it you won't |
| which leaves me a tad uneasy. The most recent I've | | | | look ridiculous. Even 11 years on it competes well with |
| noticed is Bob Monkhouse grinning down on the | | | | the current crop of coupes and a good example will |
| streets below saying that all us blokes should check | | | | just keep on running for years to come. |
| our prostates or run the risk of ending up in an early | | | | Inside the Puma offers good head and legroom for a |
| wooden box like him. Don't get me wrong, it's a noble | | | | car its size. It also has sports seats which are vital in |
| cause and Mr Monkhouse's family want to warn the | | | | keeping you glued to behind the steering wheel as |
| rest of us but I still find it a tad weird. | | | | the Puma can be thrown around corners like cars |
| What I didn't find weird however was Steve | | | | twice its original price. |
| McQueen ripping up the tarmac on the San Francisco | | | | Oddly buying a low mileage example may not be |
| streets in a used Ford Puma. Ok, well it wasn't a | | | | your best bet. The Puma has special cylinder linings |
| used Ford in 1997, but the 11 year old advert has | | | | on its 1.7 litre Zetec engine meaning that wear is high |
| remained lodged in my brain ever since. To those | | | | if incorrect oil is used. Likewise if the car has been |
| who aren't familiar with the advert or Steve | | | | used for short journeys on a cold engine, wear will |
| McQueen's film career a quick recap. McQueen | | | | be dramatically accelerated. So avoid cars that have |
| starred in the 1968 car chase movie Bullitt where he | | | | stood still on a driveway and ensure regular oil |
| played a detective that did some police stuff before | | | | changes have been made - no more than 10,000 |
| capping the film off with the epic and now legendary | | | | miles between each. Other than the above, as with |
| car chase through San Fran. Ford ingeniously used | | | | all used Fords, the Puma is cheap to repair and |
| footage from the film and spliced it with the Puma | | | | service and any minor niggles shouldn't cause an |
| charging around a modern day San Francisco like a | | | | expensive headache. |
| child that's had too many sweets. | | | | Finally for your consideration, there is the ultra |
| In one fell swoop Ford announced that the Puma | | | | exclusive Racing Edition that was limited to 500 cars. |
| was a real driver's car. After all if the ghost of Steve | | | | This version came complete with 154bhp, a wide arch |
| McQueen found it enjoyable then wouldn't we all? | | | | body kit and huge alloy wheels. Expect to pay nearer |
| Well yes actually, the Puma was a hit and when the | | | | £6000 for an eight-year old version but be |
| popular coupe was put to bed in 2002 it was sorely | | | | warned if you find one in good condition Steve |
| missed. Thankfully a used Ford Puma is relatively | | | | McQueen may very well come and haunt you for the |
| easy to come by and you can pick up an early | | | | keys. |
| example from as little as £1500, up to | | | | |