From the south of France, Tom Van Elslande’s 2019 Fiesta ST MK8 is the beginning of a personal passion project—a clean, street-focused build powered by pure determination and community inspiration.
From the sunny coasts of Le Pradet in the south of France, Tom Van Elslande is quietly building something special. While the streets of Var might not be a racetrack, Tom’s 2019 Ford Fiesta ST MK8 is taking shape as a sharp and stylish everyday machine—driven by pure passion, future ambitions, and the deep-rooted influence of car culture.
A Passion Born Early
Tom’s love for cars sparked young, drawn to the sleek lines, raw performance, and sense of freedom they offer. But it was Ford—especially the iconic Fiesta ST—that captured his heart. That playful, sporty personality in a practical package felt like the perfect match.
Despite working in an unrelated field as a sales advisor in a pet store, and currently studying management, Tom has managed to channel his energy and income toward his growing car passion. The ultimate goal? To work in the automotive world full time.
Keeping It Simple, Making It Stylish
Tom’s current build on his Fiesta ST is what he calls a “street project.” While he’s early in the modification journey, his choices so far are clean, focused, and full of potential. So far, he’s added a Maxton Design spoiler extension to sharpen the look and a Ramair intake to hint at performance potential. These small but impactful touches reflect a keen eye for style and detail.
With stock performance already pushing a respectable 200 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, Tom’s ST isn’t just about looking good—it’s already got the performance base for future upgrades.
Community Connections & Future Visions
Though Tom is just beginning his journey, he’s no stranger to the community. Active in car meets and clubs across the region, he’s a regular at local events and gatherings—soaking in the inspiration from other builds and starting to visualize what’s next.
His most immediate plans include a full Maxton body kit and a performance exhaust system. Long term, he sees this build developing over the next couple of years—an evolving expression of his style, skill, and growing knowledge of car culture.
Advice, Aspirations, and ST-Fueled Motivation
Tom’s biggest inspiration comes from the community itself—the builders, creators, and dreamers who share their journeys online and in person. They remind him to stay determined and true to his vision.
His advice to fellow Ford lovers is summed up in one word: “Détermination.” Whether it’s saving up for parts, tackling DIY installs, or dealing with setbacks, Tom believes in pushing through with focus and drive.
Although his build is still in its early stages, Tom is already feeling the rewards. He’s proud to represent the community, and more than anything, he’s grateful for what Ford Fam brings to his journey: “I love what you’re doing and the passion you put into this Ford group. Keep sharing your advice and experiences, it’s inspiring! You’re doing an amazing job, and I’m proud to be part of this community.”
Follow Tom’s Build:
Instagram & TikTok: @tom_stmk8
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