Ford's Performance Central

Ford's Performance Central

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For many people, the extent of customising their car ends when they tick the appropriate boxes, and it rolls off the showroom floor. For others, they'll buy a second-hand Golf or BMW with the singular goal of making the car their own. However, a few manufacturers offer more than just different colour seats, carbon fibre inserts, and bigger wheels.

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Companies like Ford don't necessarily give you the option of modifying an out-of-the-box Mustang. Instead, Ford provides owners looking to personalise their vehicles with the opportunity to work with a brand that'll surely excite any American muscle enthusiast.

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The Ford Performance Centre helps Ford owners get the most out of their vehicles, whether a Rouge Performance Kit or a Ford Performance supercharger. The Performance Centre provides 'Stang owners with real-deal American V8 power, noise, and aggressive styling right here in SA, since 2016.

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Now it's moved to a new, more efficient facility. During our visit to the special Lazarus Motor Company, the man in charge, Colin Lazarus, lead us on a tour around his fresh new facility, and boy is it quite a spectacle. As you can imagine, with a man so passionate about cars, there'd be a few very special machines parked around the place. The Jaguar F-type Project 7 and the Jaguar E-type are bucket list cars for any British motoring enthusiast and indeed they were posing nicely on the showroom floor. Yet the real show was provided by that of a more American nature.

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Collin Lazarus is a petrol head of note with a great interest in American vehicles. From a 2001 F150 SVT Lightning to a Ford Model T, his taste in cars leans more into the Ford section. Just another Mustang aficionado? Not quite. He has a mustang here and there, sure, including a 1971 Mustang Mach 1, but his prized possessions stem more from the realm of endurance racing.

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The Ford GT40 is a racing legend that’s conquered Le Mans, starred in movies and wowed collectors from around the world. Collin Lazarus is a collector who owns three Ford GTs, each from a different generation. The first is his 1965 MK1 GT40 which is truly such a special piece for any collection. A 2005 Ford GT, which by the turn of the century was one of the most dynamic supercars around, in terms of both looks and performance. Lastly, the 2021 Ford GT. Now this car has been making its way around Johannesburg and wow, does it get people talking. Unfortunately, the car isn't licenced to drive on SA roads so if you are on the lookout for it, it'll likely be in a trailer or parked on display. I believe it only has 18 km on the clock, according to rumour that is...

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Collin has a deep passion for American performance and his Ford Performance Centre is bringing that American power and performance to the streets of South Africa. It caters to Mustang, Focus ST/RS and Fiesta ST owners who'd like to get the most out of their cars. By using the best quality parts to modify their cars, the Performance Centre will be pumping out some serious machines. So, if you do choose to visit the centre, make sure to ask about Collin's cars. You might just be treated to a short tour that you won't forget. 

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