Project 9
2003 Ford Focus ZX3 SVT EAP | “The Banana”
Years of Ownership: 2014-2019 | 2022-Current
This SVT Focus was purchased in San Francisco, CA in mid 2014. Low mileage and 100 percent stock! The rare Screamin’ Yellow paint was in flawless condition and after a little research, I found out that it is 1-123 in this combination. It’s fully loaded including heated seats, traction control, and even an engine block heater. This was the ultimate focus for the U.S. Market. While it’s far from a MK1 Focus RS, it had so many features that gave it a real premium feel including all-leather Recaro seats, multi-spoke wheels, leather door inserts, and a color only available on the EAP. SVT Focus #1375 was the car I had wanted since the car was first made, and I got it.
I very regrettably was forced to sell P9 in June of 2019. I am one of the tens of thousands of people that has fled California for Texas and I couldn’t drive my truck with a trailer behind it and tow the SVT at the simultaneously. I sold it to a good friend of mine in California that bought it from me a few days before I moved since I didn’t find a buyer. A few months later, the car was sold again and that owner owned it until 2021.
In the early summer of 2022, I GOT THE CAR BACK! This was a vehicle I never wanted to sell and I thought that I would never see it again. This was such an exciting moment for me. There were a few small modifications and changes made to the car, but the moment I sat in it and turned the key, I knew, this was my car. I was overcome with joy!
SVT Focus’ are becoming more and more rare. Many with snapping timing belts, wrecks, and general neglect are being left for junk at junkyards. This car was a gamechanger in the sport compact and clean SVTF’s are already demanding a premium. Hopefully this continues and this car survives for many decades to come!
Modifications
Exterior
Color-Matched Billet Fuel Door
Black Housing ST170 Headlights
Replaced Grill with NOS OEM SVT Grill
Performance
MSD Coil and Wires
Rear Resonator Removed
Steeda Short Throw Shifter
Polished Stainless Steel Header Heat Shield
Mark Lapp Machined Coolant Crossover Tube
Steeda Performance Mounts (All 3)
Esslinger Underdrive Pulley
Interior
– CFM Shift Knob Adapter
– MK3 Focus ST Shift KnobIn-Car Entertainment (ICE)
OEM
Suspenion
HEL Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Megan Racing Lowering Springs
Rota Titan 17x8 et40