For many of us in the Ford community, passion runs deep—built from memories, family, or childhood dreams. For Ruben Lamelas, that passion started in Portugal, sitting beside his father in a Porsche 944 with a thundering 2.7L engine. It intensified in 1999 with the release of Need For Speed: High Stakes, and later, the iconic Fast & Furious series. But Ford? That came with a purpose.
In February 2024, Ruben made the leap to car ownership in the UK—not just for fun, but for necessity. As a single father to a 6-year-old daughter with autism, he needed freedom of movement, flexibility, and reliability. Enter his 2016 Ford Fiesta Zetec S—a car that started as a solution and quickly became a passion project.
Ruben’s Fiesta Zetec S already came with a few mods when he picked it up—tinted lights and H&R springs. But like most enthusiasts, he couldn’t leave it alone. When one of the springs snapped, he didn’t just replace it—he upgraded the entire suspension system to Stance+ coilovers, opting for a lower, more aggressive stance.
“I wanted the car a little lower than it was, so I just went for the full setup,” Ruben shares.
He followed that with a custom double-tip exhaust, adding some growl to the 1.0L motor, and wrapped the roof black for a sleek contrast. Black mirror caps, sequential indicators, and Japan Racing JR21 alloys complete the transformation—creating a clean, stylish ride that balances form and function.
Living in a London flat without a garage or extensive tools has made car modding a challenge. But Ruben, who works full-time as a Cardiac Physiologist for the NHS, knows how to make it work.
“It’s not always easy, but even the smallest mod brings joy,” he says. “It’s a project you build over time—not all at once.”
Support has come from shops like Polimax (roof wrap in Bethnal Green) and AJ Motorsports, where Ruben had a full service and discovered the car had already been remapped—giving him a healthy 146hp and 156lb-ft from the little 1.0L turbo engine.
While Ruben’s Ford scene experience in the UK is just kicking off, he’s no stranger to car culture. Back in Portugal, he co-founded a Peugeot 208 sub-club—one of the first to organize local events and bring enthusiasts together.
Now based in the UK, he’s joined Drive Fusion, a growing community that he says “feels like home already.” His goals? Attend shows, build the car clean, and focus on tasteful mods that reflect his personality—not just trends.
“My first ever meet-up in Portugal was nerve-wracking, but everyone was supportive and full of ideas,” Ruben recalls. “That’s what the scene should be about—helping each other grow.”
Unlike many who chase wild power gains or extreme builds, Ruben is keeping his project realistic and reliable. He’s eyeing a TRC low line kit, custom headlights, and a wheel refurbishment to elevate the Fiesta’s show appeal.
For him, it’s not about flexing—it’s about freedom, personal pride, and having a car that’s his.
Ruben’s advice is real, relatable, and wise:
“Do it for you, not for others. Don’t rush it. Enjoy the car with every mod you do, even the smallest one. They all add to the journey.”
He also emphasizes the importance of keeping the scene clean:
“I was recommended a few illegal mods but ignored them. We need to set a good example.”
While he dreams of one day making the Fiesta a proper show car, Ruben’s focused on balance—between being a dedicated father, a healthcare professional, and a Ford enthusiast.
“Owning a car has given me more freedom than I ever had with public transport,” he says. “It’s part of how I care for my daughter and how I express myself.”
đź“Ť Location: London, UK
📸 Instagram: @rl_fiestazs
“Support everyone, enjoy everyone’s build, and take ideas from each other.”
Through her lens, Anna Maria (@tuninglover88) turns machines into masterpieces. From Vicenza’s streets to Italy’s biggest meets, she captures the soul of car culture—one photo at a time. Passionate, fearless, and Ford-loving, she frames the drive.
Dave Zehe from Goslar, Germany 🇩🇪, is turning his 2010 Ford Fiesta MK7 into a masterpiece. From GMP Italia rims to a modernized GPS system, his journey is all about personalization. Future plans? Lowering, a double-pipe rear silencer, and a custom wrap.
Dave’s motto: “Build at your own pace and enjoy the journey.” 🚗✨
Check out his full story in Feature Corner!
In the world of Ford enthusiasts, few builds capture the essence of passion and creativity like Black.Fiesta.MK8. From its striking black-and-green theme and aerodynamic Maxton Design body kit to the growl of a KRO Customs exhaust, this Ford Fiesta Mk8 ST-Line is the ultimate showcase of power and precision. Backed by a Stage 1 tune, this beauty doesn’t just turn heads – it leads the pack.
💬 But it’s not just about the car. Dive into the story of the driver, a true community ambassador and founder of @Fiesta_Crew_NL, who’s redefining what it means to share a passion for cars.
👉 Read the full feature now and get inspired by this incredible build!
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