Restoring the car that Clarkson, Hammond and May all love | Ep.4 | Ford Mondeo ST200 restoration

It has been a long time coming, but finally the restoration on the DriveTribe Ford Mondeo ST200 is finished! With one huge last push by everyone involved, we've ended up with arguably the most mint Mondeo in the world!
Thank you to Halfords for sponsoring this video!
Check out what the Halfords HME van can do for you here: www.halfords.com/motoring/mob...

[@DangerousDac]

Oh surely this can't be the end, gotta see it driving and shown off to the 3 guys.

[@dcostello1976]

The moment you realise the restoration is just a paid advert for Halfords

[@zachariah74]

@@dcostello1976 At least there's one more Mondeo ST200 ready for another 20 years of use.

[@atishghosh]

I hope he shows it to the trio

[@dcostello1976]

@@zachariah74Don't get me wrong, I like Mondeos. I've owned 3 already, but now migrated to full electric

[@zachariah74]

@@dcostello1976 Cool

[@gureno19]

Jeez...when did i become so old that a mondeo would be undergoing a restoration 😅

[@D-Dova]

Hunk of junk thatll go in the bin soon

[@dog4579]

@@D-Dova If a car has its story and you actually love the car like a son or a daughter they don't get old they get better and better after time and if the owner is willing to keep the car it's never gonna go to the bin

[@davidknowles2491]

@@D-Dova You must be fun at parties.

[@ollieturbo1362]

@@D-Dova Why are you so bitter? 😂

[@christonamtb4089]

Be your knees and hips next

[@MadFordEngineering]

Just to let you know the front springs were wrong, we sent it for test as it was for filming, the correct springs are fitted for the photo shoot at the end of this video, i agree it looked way to high , im sure mike is going to do a follow up drive shoot very soon

[@PrioCaptSend]

Was looking for this comment. Not expecting it coming from you directly. But thanks for the clarification!

[@FoolioBeardy]

I was wondering if that was just a Mondeo thing I never knew about haha, thanks for the heads-up!

[@chrisp4899]

Cracking job 👏

[@garyrussell1749]

still looks toooooo high

[@stuartparker2369]

I spotted the springs right off. Glad they are the right ones now. Ive got new springs on mine and the car still looks insanely low. Hope to see a drive video soon

[@NiPPonD3nZ0]

I'm not a Ford guy, but I'm a car guy, and Its very nice to ser a classic performance car being brought back to that level of quality! Very nice workmanship! Congrats!

[@jsnnsnn439]

Ur not a car guy

[@Bodgemiester]

My sentiments exactly

[@jsnnsnn439]

@@Bodgemiester get ur fax straight

[@Bodgemiester]

@@jsnnsnn439 eh

[@NiPPonD3nZ0]

@@jsnnsnn439 ?

[@danb3888]

First car Halfords have ever given a clean pass without trying to sell shocks, tyres and brakes for sure.

[@rhyswilliams4893]

Would tell you a car straight from the forecourt needs work done.

[@ConquerDriving]

I've always been a big fan of the ST200. It's so nice seeing a car being bought back to its former glory.

[@NRNProductionsYT]

My brother has an st200

[@coolworms7297]

Didn’t expect to see you here lol Yeah, it’s a great car, bit of a sleeper too

[@welshwoody217]

I used to love the ST24 😍

[@jamieeedden777]

Wouldn't mind one of these but I've already got 3 cars mabey one day if I choose to sell one

[@FlyasaDiamond]

Really impressed Mike was able to drive up to the workshop blindfolded, the guy needs a raise

[@Im_g-man]

He must really trust his sat nav

[@roxieloot]

Car looks amazing. Think I will leave Halfords alone, anyone who knows anything about cars knows they are the last place to take your car.

[@Stratboy999]

Correct. Emergency use only.

[@JapsDmz]

Risking it a bit there with halfords, im surprised they didn't find multiple safety failures that weirdly other garages cant ever find. Oh silly me , they were recording it. Maybe next time.

[@dehv]

Probably cos they do a more thorough job than other mot centres?

[@mrzee1951]

@@dehv nope! It's the same tests as any other garage, it can't be any more thorough for the price they often undercut it by. As implied, they often find "faults" that doesn't exist in order to overcharge customers for work that doesn't need doing - it's how they make their profits.

[@remlap42]

at least it wasnt kwik fit

[@ritecomment2098]

@@mrzee1951 it seemed like they didnt do their job this time and missed the incompetence of the rebuild!

[@mrzee1951]

@@ritecomment2098 perhaps, however the engine's health isn't checked at the MoT just the emissions - I've seen very worn engines regularly burning or leaking oil still pass. As for bodywork/paint is irrelevant so long as it's not too rusty thus weakening the main structure - so a well covered up hole or sills can go unnoticed.

[@maverick4177]

🤣 a service by Halfords, the company that charges £10 for a bulb and £20 to change it for you, i don’t think so

[@JDMz]

@@youtube2kwatcher somewhere in the comment section. You've just given someone a heat attack.

[@lukedealberdi3713]

Took a rover 45 td daily beater in once for an Aircon top up, they said they'd checked the service history and advised a cambelt change at £1200. Errr, no thanks...

[@jjmmjj9999]

Had a company van have a headlight bulb changed by halfords (yes, one bulb changed) and they managed to have it in upside down (h7)

[@andiparker3733]

Agreed! I always use my local garage for my MOT. Been using him for the past 4 years now

[@marchutch]

“Halfrauds”

[@tinman7551]

Really love seeing history from TG coming to a new life here on KZbin. The car looks amazing 🤩

[@polishavgeek1849]

Hammond restoring cars: "How does this work?" May restoring cars: *sorts and names his spanners* Clarkson restoring cars: Hammer

[@revolver265]

I suppose that's why it was taken to a shop instead of letting the three fix it: Knowledge (which Hammond doesn't have) Efficiency (which May has, but not on camera) Precision and delicacy (you know.)

[@p_mishev]

@@revolver265 Hammond literally has the most knowledge about mechanical parts of cars. Dont you remember they built a car and Hammond did 90% of the work.

[@morganspencer-churchill2136]

"This is Ian, this is Stephen..."

[@confusedredditor1660]

hammer

[@BrettSirrell]

“Feel sorry for the Halfords mot guys” cos the cameras were rolling which prevented him from finding some money making faults.

[@HansDelbruck53]

Money marking?

[@TML34]

😂

[@RICHARD10195]

Literally about to comment along the same lines, think you’ve said it well enough 👏🏻

[@BrettSirrell]

@@HansDelbruck53 thanks...well spotted...you should do MOTs for halfords! :-)

[@aarong139]

Best comment by far 😂

[@RoamingLive28]

All that needs to be done now to meet up the Clarkson, James and Hammond and let them see the beauty of the Ford and what you did. I'm sure they would be quite happy.

[@georgefrench1907]

Maybe, but they might drop a piano on it.😜

[@RoamingLive28]

@@georgefrench1907 or Hammond might crash it...lol

[@mikedrivetribe8314]

All in the plan :)

[@alistairwalker2850]

Yeah Mike should drive it to Diddly Squat and have all three of them there

[@RoamingLive28]

Yeah! Even kalleb could be there....and they could go on a road test to his(not) favorite place....London.....hahahahahaha

[@The_One_Over_There]

I love cars like this, People who don't know it just never really know what they're looking at. It flies nicely under the radar for that but you can bet everything you have that it feels great when you come across someone who does know it

[@Will-Smith-bitchslap]

Wouldn't trust Halfords to put air in my push bike tyre's.

[@bradcaldwell9158]

"Well done!" to the craftspeople who restored this car. You did a great job.

[@thegrumpyyorkshireman5277]

Wow that must be the 1st time Halfords have ever passed a car on an mot with no advisories LOL

[@liviubita4238]

Fords will always be in my heart. My first car was a '91 Ford Scorpio 2 litre petrol engine, what a car for the money! I feel bad for not being able to keep it and restore it, maybe I'll do it in another life. Cheers everyone at DriveTribe, it is a real pleasure to watch those videos.

[@RichieRouge206]

Speechless - that car looks better than factory. The guys at Mad Ford absolutely knocked this one out of the park, I am not ashamed to say I felt slightly teary when he revealed it! Such a stunning colour and I absolutely love the attention to detail. This is better than ANY supercar.

[@MelloOwnsRyuuzaki]

Can't believe you didn't even start the engine and take it for a spin

[@darrengooding8785]

hats off to MAD ford, what an amazing team

[@chrisb148]

Nice to see one of these fully restored! My Dad had an ST24 in 98 and then got an ST200 in 2000, my mum got the st24 which she daily drove up until a couple years ago, it’s totally original and they still have it, just gets used occasionally now

[@TrevorDennis100]

My attention peeked when I heard you mention Richard Parry-Jones. I retired from Dunton three years before him, having worked close to 40 years in a job I loved, helping to create a product we were proud of.

[@eppyz]

I would rather watch cars like this being saved over super car or over built cars any day👍😎

[@kieranwhite6647]

Always liked the ST200 and it's fantastic to see such a stunning example

[@Dakiraun]

Oh man... she turned out beyond beautiful! I love the extra work put into dressing up the engine bay, and how they left nothing unrestored on, in or under the car. It's been a joy watching this car find new life again. The only sad thing is that we don't have them in Canada! Congratulations Mike - you and her grace the roads for decades to come.

[@320iSTWEdition]

I was never a fan of this body style (hasn't changed) but you did an outstanding job restoring it. It will be loved and cared for, so it is a definite win for automotive history.

[@mso8190]

Great work lads. The Mondeo is a special car.

[@mogelbar1020]

Don’t let Hammond Drive It! (On the plate)🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rockstar6790]

Hammond would crashed it in 30 seconds

[@kofib3]

@@rockstar6790 Na, make that 15 seconds.

[@MadAsKiwi]

I am no Mondeo fan, but credit where credit is due, everyone who had a hand in restoring this car did a fantastic job, and the choice of wheels is dead on.. they suit the car perfectly. Nice work everyone.

[@cflwhat]

We got these as a contour svt stateside. One of very few FWD cars I've always wanted to own. Love this build guys!!

[@welshtony1]

Episode 1 James may looked around it, I kinda wish he looked around it now it's done. Looks absolutely stunning.

[@stephendb6501]

Must really hurt a true mechanic to thank a Halfords garage for anything.

[@davidnm21]

The Ford Mondeo ST200, that's a great car and I think rightly so that Clarkson, Hammond and May all like this car. 👍😉🇬🇧

[@AnagramAutoclassics]

I share your joy - a wonderful transformation. RIP RPJ.

[@tonea1976]

Amazing work by the mechanics and bodywork

[@Pwnzistor]

www.twitch.tv/mad_ford_engineering

[@phill9958]

Don’t think you should be advertising Halfords autocentres I’d rather take my car to a trained monkey 😂

[@pangolin83]

Hey sponsorship money is still money, we don't have to abide by it ;P

[@EazyDuz18]

They ARE trained monkeys at Halfords. I once got told 'your car is due a cambelt', for an engine which uses a cam CHAIN.

[@FatHead1979]

I'd rather take my car to an UNTRAINED monkey! 🤣

[@Virusman26]

The MAD Ford guys have done it again. Brilliant transformation 👍🏻👍🏻

[@teebird94]

Truely stunning car.I'm Canadian and have had two Contours(renamed Mondeo) a Duratec and a Zetec,They were amazing cars.

[@specialk314]

The outro with that nice guitar music and everyone credited by name was nice

[@apexseal2811]

Funky version of Hotel California

[@FlapJack4326]

Amazing job on that Mondeo, it looks brand new

[@rasmus7493]

Honestly better

[@simmonsrenos9111]

Thunderbird 2 was always my favorite, I love the way it could pick up different pods

[@MahesaArdhi]

This is a remarkable museum grade restoration!!! Respect

[@kramshiron]

If it wasn’t for the mondeo ,focus, fiestas…all other manufacturers would still be boring to drive, these with Richard Parry Jones at the helm raised the bar in handling etc so others had to improve too.

[@animalcol1]

Agree. RPG raised the stakes in handling and ride for Ford. Ferdinand Piëch did the same for cabins in VW cars. The MK4 golf was like a Merc S class for cabin build when it came out. To me they both help create the Mk5 Golf GTi by combining handling and class interior into one car. Piëch was also responsible for the Audi Quattro (Ur model - genesis) and the 917 Porsche. Not bad going!!

[@Michael_Michaels]

What's wrong with that front suspension? It's a bit lifted or it's just the wheel arch that's higher then the back?

[@marcellkondor3414]

yes, something is not okay with it, the ST has to be lower than the usual V6 mondeo's. maybe they used a different spring or shock-absorber, not the original ST.

[@HansDelbruck53]

It's higher THAN the back. And you are right. It doesn't look normal.

[@xr8rick]

I was thinking that too. The front is about 3” too high!

[@sciencebox180]

Agree like its got the wrong spec springs or something, maybe assembled while not under load, cant help think the paint looks flat like the lacquer is cloudy from cold getting to it during drying or similar.

[@andyhunt457]

@@marcellkondor3414 I'd suggest it just needs to settle...more at the front obviously maybe none at the back.Having looked at pics of the ST at the time it came out that arch gap is pretty much the same hmmmm maybe we just all used to the small arch gap of most of today's cars.

[@davidvasta]

I live in the US and love the Mondeo. That thing is epic and the engine bay is bonkers.

[@MrSlash00r]

Based on other special cars from the 90s and 00s, this will probably be worth double in 10 years time! Looks fantastic!

[@_zigzak]

Man if they had that sort of inspection here in the US, half the cars in this country would be off the road 😂

[@kevinW826]

And in Canada

[@SA-zoom1]

The stock ride height is like a Land Rover. But fair play keeping it factory correct. Beautiful job, taken from a fair example to an absolute minter.

[@Teckle_Biscuits]

Definitely seems like non st front springs for sure

[@bobuncle8704]

What a stunner

[@TwoMorbid]

Absolutely cracking restoration the car is mint, fantastic work by the guys at Mad Ford.

[@criostoirocuinn]

I'd love an unlimited budget and sponsorships to restore an old car......

[@parag1970]

Mint 🤩

[@animalcol1]

Set up a KZbin channel pal. You never know!!

[@Elwaves2925]

@@animalcol1 Or wrangle your way into a job on Drivetribe.

[@LawrenceTimme]

But would you have low enough moral standards to tell your audience to go to Halfords to have an MOT and service.

[@TheNomadsLens]

Would be interesting to know the total cost.

[@GTLB302]

Some money

[@CometSamurai]

Probably a few thousand considering it was a full resto

[@TheNomadsLens]

@@CometSamurai I don't think you would get change out of £10,000. A respray runs into £1000s alone. The MG will probably cost as much. Great to see cars resorted.

[@I_THE_ME]

@@TheNomadsLens What costs the most is the hours put into the restoration by the professionals of MAD. The hours that they have spent going through the whole vehicle would cost tens of thousands.

[@dingleberryhandpump802]

An cash

[@dalehadley3283]

Really love the look of this Mondeo, really reminds me of the US spec Ford Taurus SHO of the 90's

[@benrose1874]

Thanks Mad Ford team for getting involved in this project

[@mason26392]

The want for this service on my ST220 is real. I need to make it happen.

[@qasimmir7117]

Same.😂

[@PrivateBAustin]

I really wouldn't trust Halfords with my car, they've done enough damage to my bike.

[@GodKing804]

Probably cause it's not a car

[@RICHARD10195]

Halfords Jack of all trades, Masters of none

[@Pj_me1]

Awsome series thank you 😊 Iv just done this to the ST220 3l V6. Everything down to the engine rebuild except the respray of the engine bay but everything original except exhaust. Thank you to the lads at Ford. Excellent cars 👌

[@robertstokes]

Loved this. My first car was a Mondeo (not an ST200 mind!) in 1997 so they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. This one’s an absolute beaut. Well done to everyone who worked on it; enjoy Mike!

[@SocksWithSandals]

Front suspension needs lowering 2 inches

[@MathsYknow]

Yeah, looks like it's riding too high compared to the back.

[@Yosser70]

Halfords MOT! I assume you needed the handbrake tightening and 2 new bulbs 🙄

[@AdamsWorlds]

Missed exhaust brackets, or new system due to leak, coolant leak, aircon leak and new tyres. 🤣

[@Yosser70]

@@AdamsWorlds Definitely if the cameras weren’t there! lol

[@ianatkinson9168]

This was one of my favourite cars when I first started driving, always wanted one, and still do. I had a MK1 Mondeo. Great series, thanks Mike & DRIVETRIBE.

[@JRPoole57]

We had the Contour in the States and this car looks BRAND NEW! It’s sharp. Made me miss the Contour SVT

[@pad3357]

What’s going off with that front wheel gap. 😂 guessing they put standard mondeo springs instead of ST ones?

[@leecarroll4776]

The st model sits pretty high to, just Google one

[@leecarroll4776]

@@marcellkondor3414 possibly yeah. I don't see much wrong with the one in this video though. These guy's seem pretty knowledgeable so I doubt they'd fit the wrong springs

[@pad3357]

I take it back, google would confirm it is supposed to look like an SUV 😂

[@matthewardern5072]

As James May would say on Unpinp my ride, "Standard"

[@Josio13]

Wow what a beauty, enjoy this new classic fast Ford for many years to come. Shame to hear that Richard Perry Jones passed recently, a true genius that put Ford at the top of their handling game at the time, I have so much fond memories of late 90’s early 00’s Fords!

[@compostboomtron9001]

What a beauty. I'm so glad this was restored, and I hope to see more being saved, preserved and used

[@BoxInThisLapVR46]

Well done mad ford

[@Pwnzistor]

www.twitch.tv/mad_ford_engineering

[@mcmcnair97]

Fairplay to MAD Ford and everyone else listed at the end there (especially Mexico at mad ford)

[@TheNismo777]

Mexie, she is a puuuurfect enforcer :D

[@colinthebeard]

If Halfords have been at it, it'll be half arsed. Absolute cowboys.

[@MandusahRamirez]

I LOVE THIS!! I own a 2000 Ford Contour SVT, 1995 Ford Probe GT(With The Same Duratec 2.5V6) & 2018 Ford Fusion Platinum 2.0EB So This Touches My Heart Chakra💚😊

[@boratsagdiyev6730]

"Luke at that"

[@paultaylor9652]

Make the most of it, sadly cars like this won't be on the road if the regulators have their way. An absolute pleasure to watch this transformation, you guys deserve a medal.

[@bassicvegan]

Mike, I have the Thunderbird 2 & 4 model from Matchbox! 1992 (I was 4 that year) when kids toys were heavy, with sharp edges and made of solid metal!!! It still stands proudly on my desk today! Awesome gift and definitely the best Thunderbird! btw The Mondeo looks great ;)

[@shinryohji]

Performance cars for the masses are my favourite kind of car, and that Mondeo ST200 delivers. Lovely colour, nice engine and great all around package.

[@farhanhussain5937]

Cannot wait to see the results 🙌

[@farhanhussain5937]

@Capt Shiny yes I commented before I watched the video. Didn't need to see the video to know its a restoration video as it says it in the title.

[@pf-2292]

Looks stunning but the Mondeo sits to high in the front.

[@shortblokeonabike]

Couldn't stop noticing that and it was really annoying me once I did...

[@benshallcross2677]

That was a very satisfying and revealing series. Well done crew and MAD. A nice touch with the dedication too. More like this please.

[@juanpablodelgadoguirola3758]

Beautiful car, my family used to own a contour with the V6 and 24V I love so much that front end, brings back all the memories when I first fell in love with cars.

[@abishek4300]

SHOW THIS MILESTONE TO THE TRIO AND MAKE A VIDEO ON THIER REACTIONS!

[@Account1746]

Now get the trio in it for a spin

[@AtariCrypt]

I love the Mondeo. Guilty as charged. Great car.

[@MrAmps]

A superb series that provides a relatable car series.

[@typedrew]

Suspension has wrong spec springs in the front surely. Doesn’t sit like an ST at all

[@TheNismo777]

Stock suspension is that high in st200

[@FatHead1979]

@@TheNismo777 Not THAT high it didn't, plus MAD confirmed earlier today that the front end setup WAS too high when it was sent for MOT and was corrected for the later future shoot.

[@typedrew]

@@TheNismo777 lol. Nope

[@nioxic77]

LOOK AT THIS CAR, IT'S FINALLY COMPLETE then you dont drive it? whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

[@lwprzybysz]

Thiiiisss is maaad! It's fantastic. Now we can't wait for the driving episodes

[@joshuadoliveiro]

the most mundane old Ford sedan project has been one of my favourite restoration series I've watched in recent memory

[@clubsportr08]

I'd of used a Junker under the reveal cloth first time around 😜😜😜

[@boy638]

Hammond sees the plaque. *Hammond has left the chat*

[@simonthomas5367]

Such an iconic design. Still looks amazing today. And what a renovation job!! Hats of to MAD!

[@callumhardy5098]

Wow! What a beauty!

[@mathewgodfrey223]

Why's the front end so jacked up ? 🤣🤣

[@VSTV1993]

No not Halfrauds, i thought you'd have more respect for the st200

[@OhhBabyATriple]

They’re a sponsor so they had no choice

[@VSTV1993]

@@OhhBabyATriple i wouldn't of accepted it 😂

[@Stallzyx]

did they throw them under the bus at all in this episode? not watched it yet but as I was curious about the team's work I had a look by the twitch channel and apparently halfords hadn't done a thorough enough job with the MOT and something ended up getting messed up

[@VSTV1993]

@@Stallzyx funny you should say that. I took my old car mistakingly to a Halfords a few years back and they passed it no minors even though it should of failed with the handbrake only operating on 1 wheel

[@theprodigalstranger5259]

Proper job! Enjoy that ride Mike!

[@kingston463]

Man...this car looks like it belongs to a museum

[@davidknowles2491]

What a stunner! Are you going to let the 3 stooges drive it?

[@wojciechwilimowski985]

So, are you ever going to drive it again, or just take up a spot in May's bunker and come over to stare at it every now and then?

[@techgeekout]

An absolutely beautiful restoration and in some ways enhancement of a future classic, amazing stuff. I wish more cars had such love put into them

[@anthonyhawkins9239]

It’s an iconic car 👍, wonderful restoration 👍