The club started unbeknown to myself on YouTube in March 2022, sitting in my Focus rambling about my future plans for the car. This started a demand for more MK1-related videos and I kept on making them. Until a few channel subscribers, who are now my friends and part of this team, approached me and asked whether we could start our own Facebook Group? We named it back then as the “Focus MK1 UK Preservation Group”. And here we are… what a journey it’s been so far. This club has caught the wave at the right time. Before 2022 there wasn’t a specific one-model club for all MK1’s.
I oversee all the club’s activities whilst still making YouTube videos, plus maintaining my own examples. The first one named “Fifty Shades” a 2002 1.6 Zetec Auto 3-Door is my actual first car! Bought a week after passing my test in 2013 and I’ve never looked back. After 12 years of service she now stays in a dry garage and is only used for special days and events. My other example acquired last year off another member is a 2004 2.0 Ghia auto estate with almost all the toys on the options sheet including a rare versatility pack interior set-up. A car of fascination, huge practicality but above all, a comfortable and reliable main driver.
Those last three words… shouldn’t really happen at this age for any car. But despite their advancing age MK1’s just keep plodding on regardless of abuse, minimal servicing and age related component deterioration. Very little stops them from travelling from A to B. What you do find today is notchy imprecise steering, uncomfortable and twitchy suspension, a general lack of performance… and rust.
The challenge is now clearly looking after them. I could write all day about how to go about this. The main thing is that you are in the right place by joining as a member to achieve this and make the club even stronger. We all get out what we put in!
The most important aspect within this club is that you as the member feel welcome and part of a growing and thriving community. The club prides its reputation of being a very friendly and supportive environment for anyone who has a MK1 Focus in original condition or sporting subtle modifications, regardless of specification from a base model ‘CL’ or a full-on aggressive ‘RS’.
Enjoy and I look forward to meeting you hopefully at some point!
Andrew Darby
