Fast NZ Ford

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Ford is well known for producing limited fast versions of their family cars. There was the Sierra RS Cosworth, Lotus Cortina, Escort RS, Focus RS and a variety of hot Falcons. But the Telstar Radisich edition was a rare NZ only model released to capitalise on Paul’s international success driving a... Mondeo. There was only 100 built in 1994 and another 100 in 1996. So they were rare then and even rarer now. Turners has maybe one of the lowest mileage examples left, and you could make it yours. Read on...

Back in the early 90s New Zealand racing driver Paul Radisich was flying in the British Touring Car championship, finishing 3^rd in both 1993 and 94 and winning the Touring car world cup in both of those years as well. So, Ford NZ decided they needed to capitalise on this and got Paul to help them develop a special edition. Not a Mondeo, as he had become famous for driving, but a Telstar. And the Ford Telstar Radisich edition was born.

At the time, Ford Australasia decided to go with the Telstar as their flagship medium sized family car over the massively popular (in Europe) Mondeo. The Ford Telstar was effectively a rebadged Mazda 626 and I don’t think anyone will remember it beyond being an ok Rep-mobile that has largely disappeared from our roads. But it had one model that would at least have a somewhat lasting legacy.

The Radisich Telstar got a bit more than just a body kit and some stickers. While the 2.5L V6 Quad cam engine was unchanged, the manual gearbox was a short ratio version particular to this model and it had Bilstein adjustable suspension. The wheels were 16” ROH Astrons and it had a Momo steering wheel. It also did have a body kit and Radisich stickers. Only 200 were built (100 in 1994 and 100 in 1996).

This example at Turners Cars Hornby has only covered 128,000kms and had 3 owners. It looks to have been well looked after and kept very original.

You can buy this rare piece of NZ Ford history today for just $9990. More details here