Practical Classics Nov 2020: Puma piece

[grogee]

I'm lucky enough to get Practical Classics handed to me as a mate subscribes so I get them after he's finished. Anyway they've got a Puma buyer's guide in November issue. I'd say there's not much in there we don't already know, although the advice about not using synthetic oil is new to me (anyone have a view on this?). Unfortunately it has a few inaccuracies ("rear subframes are no longer available") and the usual journo clichés. I include pics but can't guarantee they will be readable.

[John Woodward]

All the pic's are of a lovely FRP, its not a bad article.
Also Auto Express did a 2 page spread, comparing the Coupes to the new Puma ST, bottom line was if the new Puma ST is half as good as the original, they're be onto a winner.
I was looking for an 1.7 long before the above articles, possibly have a car lined up for early next year, after a chance encounter with an owner in a Sainsbury's car park, I'm just patiently waiting, having done a proper inspection.

[Wild E. Coyote]

That about avoidng synthetic oil is complete BS. This is Ford official specification statement as in TIS for 1.7 zetec SE engine.

Viscosity / ambient temperature Description Specification Recommended engine oil
SAE 5W30 / below -20 to over 40 degrees Celsius Ford Formula E Economy Motor Oil WSS-M2C912-A1
Alternative engine oils
SAE 10W30 / -20 to over 40 degrees Celsius Ford Super Multigrade Motor Oil ACEA A1/B1 or A2/B2 and/or API/SH/CD EC
SAE 5W40 / below -20 to over 40 degrees Celsius Ford Formula S Synthetic Motor Oil ACEA A3/B3 and/or API/SH/CD EC
SAE 10W40 / -20 to over 40 degrees Celsius Ford XR+ High Performance High Lubricity Motor Oil ACEA A3/B3 and/or API/SH/CD EC

[grogee]

Pics look a bit odd to me. Like their photography car had a bad paint job and it's been through the Photoshop mill.

Re: oil, I've always followed the WSS recommendation which is the Ford minimum standard. Given our cars are 20+ years old, most oils meet or exceed this spec but it's worth checking. For my part I've been using 5W30 fully synthetic Chevron oil from Costco.

[XAF]

The picture car is one of the cars we take to the NEC for the classic car show each year (well apart from this one!). It’s absolutely immaculate and the one used in the new Puma ST advert on the internet with ST160 on the plate

It appears I was quoted in the article too, but agree, the comment about synthetic oil is totally wrong! I’ve run mine on it for years and many hundreds of thousands.