MG METRO TURBO
Catch me if you can
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Discover the cars still available in my garage
Discover the cars still available in my garage
FORD STREETKA
Life outside the shell
YEAR: 2005
Sophisticated and nonconformist, the Streetka was not quite the trivial project for Ford. They did not simply remove the little tortoise’s shell (animal often associated with the two-box car it derives from), but also gave it specific connotations that turned it into a pocket-size sports car in its own right: a spider, more than a cabriolet.
This never fails to pique the fan’s curiosity, especially considering how nowadays there are very few small open cars still on the market, and this segment’s future—if you take a look at the business plans of the various car manufacturers—seems anything but rosy.
“Times are changing…”, it is said in these cases.
If you want to distance yourself from this bedlam of SUVs and the like invading our streets with blinding LEDs, if size does not matter that much to you and you feel nostalgic for a car that is simply meant to entertain, then why not enjoy one that, on top of being a beautiful object, also has stunning dynamic qualities? All for the price of a maxi scooter.
In the early 2000s, for the automotive industry in the Old Continent a good share of the market was guaranteed by the presence in the range of an economically accessible cabriolet model.
Ford decided to expand the Ka family and approved the project, presented by Ghia, of an open version: the Ford Ka Cabrio, which a few years later would come to life in the Pininfarina factory in Grugliasco.
In 2003 the small two-seater—first Ford in history to be produced in Italy—appeared in Quattroruote’s price lists. The public’s warm welcome was encouraging in terms of image, but only lukewarm from a commercial point of view. The price, set at €17,550.00, was rather high and ended up dampening the enthusiasm of many potential buyers of the small Ford Ka Cabrio that had rushed to the dealerships. The timing was not the best, either: the Streetka was marketed when the Ka (born in 1996) was basically outdated, which did not aid sales.
In spite of this, the car appeared as a simple and original exercise in style: a balanced intersection of round lines. Sure enough, the final version of the Streetka underwent barely any changes compared to the prototype from a few years before.
- BODY STYLE: Convertible
- SEATS: 2
- LENGTH: 365 cm
- WIDTH: 170 cm
- HEIGHT: 134 cm
- WEIGHT: 1,136 kg
- ENGINE: Ford Duratec
- DISPLACEMENT: 1,599 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 95 hp
- FUEL TYPE: Petrol
- DRIVETRAIN: FWD
- TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual
- SPEED: 173 km/h
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Driving experience – Surprise effect
There are several aspects that make the Streetka unique.
At first glance its axle, quite wide in proportion to the height, significantly contributes to the dynamism of this metropolitan spider’s shape; and if the front retraces the lines of the Ka, it is the design of the rear that lends it an innovative look. The two showy rollover bars in aluminium colour (see: TT Roadster) embellish the tail, as well as the integrated spoiler and the round reversing light—a real gem, it is placed right in centre of the bumper and almost seems to mimic a large exhaust.
In spite of its trendy looks, the Streetka is ready to surprise on the road, betraying a racing nature so unexpected in a small open car. The formula is that of the tried and true “go-kart feeling”: wheels at the corners of the platform, almost non-existent overhangs, driver in the centre. To close the circle, the setup, tailor-made for this model (and its Sportka sibling), includes the already mentioned wider axle, the anti-roll bar and the sports calibration of the suspension, so stiff that it seems almost ill-suited for irregular urban roadbeds such as cobblestones, speed bumps, and manholes.
The 1.6 L, 95 hp Duratec, the only engine available on this Ford, produces enough torque even at low speeds and shows a good thrust until at least 4,000 rpm.
Nothing too pretentious, then—but not quite modest, either. The Streetka is a great car to drive downtown, and even more to sprint along a series of curves. It is true: sometimes a big budget is not necessary to have fun while driving.
British Style – Passione Classica’s Streetka
Finding a Streetka is not that hard; finding one in good condition is a formidable challenge.
The Streetka you see in the pictures was discovered in the province of Vicenza: only one owner, low mileage, well-accessorised and with a rather British colour combination. The body paint is a shade of green called “Envy Green”, while the leather interior (seats and door panels) are tobacco-coloured. The aluminium gear stick knob gives an additional flair to the interior. Equipment includes AC, ABS, and 195/45/16 tyres: not bad!
Following its arrival at Passione Classica’s garage, our Ford Ka Cabrio went through a check and tune-up. Although the Streetka is not yet old enough to be considered a historical car, I am convinced it is a very interesting youngtimer from a collector’s point of view: a modern vehicle amongst the historical cars of tomorrow. In the meantime: have fun.
Driving experience – Surprise effect
There are several aspects that make the Streetka unique.
At first glance its axle, quite wide in proportion to the height, significantly contributes to the dynamism of this metropolitan spider’s shape; and if the front retraces the lines of the Ka, it is the design of the rear that lends it an innovative look. The two showy rollover bars in aluminium colour (see: TT Roadster) embellish the tail, as well as the integrated spoiler and the round reversing light—a real gem, it is placed right in centre of the bumper and almost seems to mimic a large exhaust.
In spite of its trendy looks, the Streetka is ready to surprise on the road, betraying a racing nature so unexpected in a small open car. The formula is that of the tried and true “go-kart feeling”: wheels at the corners of the platform, almost non-existent overhangs, driver in the centre. To close the circle, the setup, tailor-made for this model (and its Sportka sibling), includes the already mentioned wider axle, the anti-roll bar and the sports calibration of the suspension, so stiff that it seems almost ill-suited for irregular urban roadbeds such as cobblestones, speed bumps, and manholes.
The 1.6 L, 95 hp Duratec, the only engine available on this Ford, produces enough torque even at low speeds and shows a good thrust until at least 4,000 rpm.
Nothing too pretentious, then—but not quite modest, either. The Streetka is a great car to drive downtown, and even more to sprint along a series of curves. It is true: sometimes a big budget is not necessary to have fun while driving.
British Style – Passione Classica’s Streetka
Finding a Streetka is not that hard; finding one in good condition is a formidable challenge.
The Streetka you see in the pictures was discovered in the province of Vicenza: only one owner, low mileage, well-accessorised and with a rather British colour combination. The body paint is a shade of green called “Envy Green”, while the leather interior (seats and door panels) are tobacco-coloured. The aluminium gear stick knob gives an additional flair to the interior. Equipment includes AC, ABS, and 195/45/16 tyres: not bad!
Following its arrival at Passione Classica’s garage, our Ford Ka Cabrio went through a check and tune-up. Although the Streetka is not yet old enough to be considered a historical car, I am convinced it is a very interesting youngtimer from a collector’s point of view: a modern vehicle amongst the historical cars of tomorrow. In the meantime: have fun.
Discover the cars still available in my garage
