Highlights

• An example of the Ford Cougar F430 replicas believed to be based on a DNA Automotive kit
• Reported to be in a good running condition with a long, advisory free MOT
• A, seemingly, well planned and executed replica conversion with good V6 power

The Appeal

With costs of thoroughbred Italian supercars starting high and, usually, remaining so, the market for replica cars has remained a popular and active market niche. Not only are the purchase costs a fraction of the real thing, but running and maintenance costs usually are too. Plus, you enjoy that added bonus of not having to worry so much about where you park it. This has resulted in a number of companies producing and selling kits of parts to enable buyers to convert more mundane motors into quite convincing thoroughbred doppelgangers.

This car is one such example. Based on a 1999 Ford Cougar V6 and believed to utilise DNA Automotive conversion parts, this car bares more than a passing resemblance to a Ferrari F430. Whilst purists and enthusiasts will likely soon spot the difference this would make an ideal statement, display or show car and is likely to offer excellent value for money.

The History and Paperwork

• The donor Ford Cougar V6 was first registered in January 1999
• The car has passed through a high number of owners since then
• DVLA records record a total of 18 previous owners
• Despite that mileage appears sensible at 83,324 miles
• It is unclear when this car’s transformation took place
• A colour change was recorded in February 2014 to white, so possibly around then
• A Category S write off was recorded against the car in January 2021
• A Category S is serious damage which is uneconomical to repair for insurance purposes
• A Category S can, however, be repaired for road use
• It is believed that the current V5 is present
• The car holds a valid and advisory free MOT
• This is valid until February 2024
• No other paperwork is available with the car

The Interior

• It’s not just the exterior of this car that has undergone a Ferrari-esque makeover
• This quite successfully immediately disguises the car’s humbler origins
• The steering wheel initially catches the eye
• This is centred with the familiar prancing horse and features start and mode buttons
• Behind this, a yellow faced prancing horse tachometer is housed
• Other addendums include Ferrari sill plates, alloy pedal covers and flock dashboard
• A big Ferrari plate is mounted on the centre console
• Possibly most impressively an alloy gear-shift gate is fitted with inscribed prancing horse
• The high-backed sports seats are finished in Alcantara with black perforated accents
• In the rear the original Cougar seats have been folded and a mock bulkhead fitted
• This contains a window allowing a rear view and sight of the mock “engine” covers
• The original door cards have been replaced with sporting looking black panels
• These contain netted storage and alloy look grab handles
• The carpets are original black fare protected with prancing horse carpet mats in the front
• The rear luggage area has been fitted with a mock engine cover arrangement
• The owner notes some intermittent issues with the central locking

The Exterior

• The look of this replica car is surprisingly convincing
• It is finished in bright white livery and is likely to turn heads and raise smiles
• The condition of the paintwork looks very good suggesting a relatively recent conversion
• Plenty of Ferrari-esque details are in evidence
• These include a number of marque and model badges
• The black wing mirrors are embossed with F430 script
• The faired in front lights and individual rear units all look convincing
• Areas of carbon fibre look accents are present to the rear panel and diffuser
• The panel fit looks to be good for this type of car
• Only the bonnet shut gaps look to be a little inconsistent 
• The car sits on 19-inch, multi-spoked alloy wheels with prancing horse centres
• These are finished in an anthracite shade and are in reasonable condition
• A matching set of EP tyres are fitted in a 245/35 configuration
• The open spokes allow a view of large yellow, Ferrari inscribed calliper covers

The Mechanics

• Despite looks to the contrary, the engine sits under the front bonnet
• This is the Ford Duratec 2.5L V6 unit native to the Cougar donor
• This unit was originally rated at around 170bhp 
• Power is fed through a five-speed manual gearbox
• The engine bay appears to be in original condition
• A little minor surface rust is noted, and this area would benefit from a deep clean
• The underside of the car looks in generally good order
• It is broadly commensurate with a car of this age and mileage
•  No service history is available with the car 
• The owner attests to the car starting well and no known issues have been reported
• The car holds a long, advisory free MOT for added reassurance

Summary