Highlights
- Stunning high-quality restoration
- Bodywork restored over four-year period
- Rare orange Recaro ‘Carla’ interior
- Superb car, well-detailed throughout
The Appeal
With a production run of almost 20 years, the Ford Capri is one of the UK’s all-time favourite classics and one which has touched many lives. It’s no surprise, then, that in recent years The Car You Always Promised Yourself has become a genuine collector’s item. This one is pretty much as good as they get – it’s a Mk 3 Capri 3.0S in rare factory black, with Recaro ‘Carla’ interior and only three owners from new including the current owner.
The car was bought by the vendor as a tidy running and mot’d example with low owners and mileage that could use some improvement and he has spent the past four years taking it to the next level – and beyond! Having come into his ownership as a genuine and solid car that had been Ziebart-treated from new, it’s now a show- worthy, collector quality car.
The car was stripped by the owner and sent for a professional bare metal respray before being returned for the owner to painstakingly overhaul and refurbish every component with a view to retaining as much originality as possible.
It’s an absolutely stunning example of one of the most coveted Capris there is, offered to the market in near-flawless condition.
The History and Paperwork
- UK V5C
- 51,000 miles
- Tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt
- Despite the exemption, the Capri is being sold with a new MOT valid until July 2025
- Old MOTs back to the early 2000s
- Selection of bills and invoices from current and previous ownership showing parts purchased for repair
- Fresh from a complete stripdown and rebuild and arguably better than new
The Condition
- Absolutely stunning example
- All original panels
- Completely stripped down and rebuilt
- Rare Recaro ‘Carla’ orange check interior with mesh head restraints
- Interior in completely original and preserved condition
- Bodywork is in sensational condition
Recommissioning the Capri has been a labour of love for the vendor for the past five years – for him (a time-served engineer), the enjoyment is in renewing and improving everything, so he took the Capri apart and had it stripped to bare metal before getting it repainted in its original black.
It was a solid basis – the car had been given Ziebart rustproofing from new – and it retains all of its original panels, but they’re now all resplendent in a show-worthy finish, the underside once again protected by a quality rustproofing treatment.
While the car was apart, the vendor refurbished as much of the original parts as possible, with many new and original old stock parts fitted where the originals could not be brought back.
The interior is wonderful – a rare sought after Recaro ‘Carla’ sports seat set up with orange detailing and mesh head restraints, plus original smart headlining, door cards and carpets, all retained and refurbished rather than replaced to retain as much originality as possible. It’s an absolutely stunning car.
It was a solid basis – the car had been given Ziebart rustproofing from new – and it retains all of its original panels, but they’re now all resplendent in a show-worthy finish, the underside once again protected by a quality rustproofing treatment.
While the car was apart, the vendor refurbished as much of the original parts as possible, with many new and original old stock parts fitted where the originals could not be brought back.
The interior is wonderful – a rare sought after Recaro ‘Carla’ sports seat set up with orange detailing and mesh head restraints, plus original smart headlining, door cards and carpets, all retained and refurbished rather than replaced to retain as much originality as possible. It’s an absolutely stunning car.
The Mechanics
- 3.0-litre ‘Essex’ V6
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Completely overhauled by an engineer with all perishable
- components replaced
- All suspension parts, brakes, hoses, fuel lines and ancillary
- components renewed
- Likely better than new in most areas
- Alloy radiator to aid cooling – original radiator and fan are
- available should you want to make a standard show car out of it
Mechanically, this car is as good as it’ll ever get – it’s spotless, and the engineer owner has replaced or overhauled almost all of the parts you can’t see – study the underside photos, for example, to see the condition of the suspension components, bushes, brakes and other
components.
The 3.0-litre Essex V6 starts on the button and sounds amazing, while it retains its original four-speed manual gearbox. It’s mostly standard, other than a manual choke carburettor with K&N filter and an aluminium radiator and electronic distributer, added by the vendor to aid cooling and reliability.
The original radiator and expansion tank and distributer are available along with other replaced parts should the new owner want them.
The 3.0-litre Essex V6 starts on the button and sounds amazing, while it retains its original four-speed manual gearbox. It’s mostly standard, other than a manual choke carburettor with K&N filter and an aluminium radiator and electronic distributer, added by the vendor to aid cooling and reliability.
The original radiator and expansion tank and distributer are available along with other replaced parts should the new owner want them.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
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