P7 | GDUR

2003 Ford Focus ZX3 | 2.3L Duratec | 5-Speed Manual Transmission | Blaupunkt

The Legend of Oregon Plates

Sometimes, a car’s name finds you instead of the other way around. That’s exactly what happened with P7, my 2003 Ford Focus ZX3 with the rare 2.3L Duratec engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. When I bought it, this neglected gem came with Oregon plates that proudly read "GDUR." It was goofy, fun to say, and perfectly fit the quirky vibe of the car—so the name stuck.

What makes GDUR’s story even crazier? One day, while driving in Santa Barbara, I spotted another car with Oregon plates that read "GDUS," the next plate in the alphanumeric sequence. A wild coincidence, and one more reason this car felt like it was meant to be part of my automotive adventures.

GDUR was a fixer-upper, and I poured time and effort into bringing it back to life. Once it was running reliably, I sold it to a friend, John, who needed a solid vehicle. GDUR served him faithfully for years before he upgraded to something brand new. Where GDUR is now remains a mystery, but its legacy lives on as one of my most unique and memorable projects.

Take a look at the journey of this rare 2.3L Focus and see how it went from neglected to noteworthy—because every car, even one with a goofy name, has a story to tell.