2002 Ford Focus SVT

P2 |Midas

Let’s be honest: every mod I made to P1 was a desperate attempt to make it more like an SVT. At local Focus meets, the SVT owners strutted around like they were the kings of the parking lot, keeping their shiny hoods propped and their conversations exclusive. Meanwhile, us standard Focus peasants stood in the shadows, clutching our factory grilles and dreaming of acceptance. I wanted in.

A little over a year after buying P1, I pulled the trigger and traded up for a brand-new 2002 Ford Focus SVT. Finally, I was one of the cool kids! Naturally, I bought the car just three days before shipping off to bootcamp because, you know, timing is my strong suit. All I had were a few printed photos of the car to tuck into my “A&B Locker” during basic training, but those pictures kept me motivated through the chaos. They were my lifeline. I proudly showed them off to anyone who would give me a second glance, like a new dad with baby photos—but cooler, because this baby had gold EAP wheels (eventually).

Bootcamp even had its perks. I found that a Recruit Division Commander who was part of the Focaljet crowd, rocking a Sonic Blue SVT. He was staff, so he couldn’t fraternize with a lowly recruit like me, but I still managed to catch him now and then to geek out over SVTs. I was living the dream—or at least I would be, once I finally got to drive the thing.

After graduating from Navy basic training, I got shipped to Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach, VA. With no class for a month, I cooked up the brilliant idea to take leave, fly home to San Diego, grab my SVT, and drive it across the country. That’s 3,000 miles, folks—48 hours to pack, say “hi” to family, and hit the road. It hurt. A lot. But the SVT got a proper break-in, cruising across state lines fully loaded and looking like it owned every inch of highway.

Over the next three years, the car gained some internet fame in the Focus community, thanks to its gold EAP wheels and my Frankenstein-esque attempt at a Mk1.5 swap. The plan was to slap on an SAP front bumper, but life—and bad ideas—got in the way. I eventually traded the SVT for what I thought was a solid upgrade: a 2007 Chevy Silverado. While it was a solid truck that was very reliable and had tons of truck utility to it, I eventually ended up getting stationed back in San Diego where my commute to work was 60 miles…. one way. With California gas prices, it just wasn’t sustainable. On top of the high gas prices, California wanted me to pay THOUSANDS of dollars in tax on the truck since I owned it for less than a year… Perhaps trading my SVT wasn’t the best choice.

Modifications

Exterior

  • Gold European Appearance Package Wheels

  • V1 – Hella Projector Headlights

  • V1 – Pre-Facelift Euro Grill

  • V1- Webextremes Hood Stripes

  • V1 – Redline Tuning Hood Struts

  • v2 – Mk1.5 Front End Swap

  • v2 – MK1.5 ST color matched Grill with standard black insert

  • v2 – Black Housing Headlights

Performance

  • AEM Short Ram Intake

  • Flowmaster Custom Exhaust

  • CFM Off-Road Pipe

  • JBA Power Cables

  • Esslinger Underdrive Pulley

  • Steeda Short Throw Shifter

Interior

  • Steeda Billet HVAC Knobs

  • Triple A-Pillar Gauge Pod

    • Glowshift Voltage Gauge

    • Glowshift A/F Ratio Gauge

    • Glowshift Vacuum Gauge

  • Alpine Headunit

  • Sony X-Plod 10″ Subwoofer

  • ST170 Euro Center Console

  • Steeda Billet Cigarette Lighter

  • Redline Goods Leather Shift and E-brake Boots with red stitching

Suspension

  • Progress Springs

  • Progress Rear Swaybar

  • Polyurethane Bushings