Leave that apk alone
In the middle of the transition, we choose energy as the theme for the Barrel Brigade 2023. Because it will take a number of years before the first EV will reach our wreck competition, we have chosen three extinct species. The assignment is: one barrel on petrol, one on diesel and one car on LPG. With one mille as a price ceiling.
Above budget
It’s up to Marco to find a nice diesel and he finds it at a car company in Lekkerkerk, named after the Euromast. There is a first-generation Ford Focus Wagon, for which Euromast wants €1,150. That is slightly above budget, but Luc and Frank both managed to keep five tenners in their pocket and Marco will probably talk about the last fifty euros. When we drive onto the terrain, we can hardly believe our eyes. The Focus sparkles in the sun, on pristine alloy wheels, the tires dripping with polish.
No mirror needed
Then we haven’t seen the interior yet; a bucket of cockpit spray was used. “You don’t need an interior mirror here, as that dashboard shines,” says Marco, surprised. For those who suggest that Euromast is doing its best because it will be featured in AutoWeek: no, we have not introduced ourselves as such. Just drive!
The Focus draws a smoke screen
The diesel jumps on immediately and grunts merrily. Bring on that golden connecting rod, he seems to growl. There’s plenty of pit, but once we’re up to speed, we discover a strange noise that only manifests itself at full throttle and between 1,800 and 2,000 rpm. What could that be? Probably not something that Marco will fix himself on the job day. Oh yes, and before we’re done with the test drive, Zelensky is on the line. He has seen our soot plumes on satellite images and hopes to have the Focus after the Barrel Brigade to raise smoke screens at the front.
MOT until September
Anyway, a few flaws are allowed in a car that still looks so handsome, with even a working air conditioning and – yes – built-in navigation for that money. It’s a yes. Since the MOT expires in September, we will receive a new one. However, that means that we can only pick it up two days later and that is too late for us. Without MOT then, which immediately offers room for negotiation, so that a little later we accept the way back to the editors for €1,100 in possession of a beautiful Ford Focus Wagon.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl