Ford Capris have been on the up for a while now but this 2.8 Injection is already a high flyer. You can see that it’s a really well-cared-for example but what it really deserves is a blue plaque above the door: Henry Ford II sat here. And it’s got the extra-wide seat squab to prove it!
It was built for the Blue Oval founder’s grandson in 1981 by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) for the big chief to use on his frequent trips to the UK. As you might imagine, Ford put some extra effort into making sure the car was right in every way – something a new owner will be able to appreciate because the car is coming up for auction.
What makes this Capri 2.8I so special? Well, the seat really was made wider for the ample Ford behind. SVE at Dunton, Essex, also retrimmed the interior in leather and fitted automatic transmission. The paintwork – Graphite Grey over Strato Silver – got a few extra coats and quality control was ramped up to 11. By the time the car was delivered to the Ford family’s UK estate in Turville, Bucks, it must have been the best Capri in the country.
After HFII finished with it, the car went on to be just as well looked after by new owners from within the company that included the head of Ford product development and then Alan Jarman, another Ford man, who commuted in it to Dunton from Torquay. The Capri today has had six owners and shows 69,000 miles.
“Fast Fords are always highly sought-after but this Capri is much more than that – it’s a renowned part of the Ford story,” says Chris Pollitt of online auction site Car & Classic.
What price Henry Ford II’s Ford Capri? Car & Classic reckon it will make between £25-35,000 when the virtual hammer drops on 30th April after seven days of live bidding.
Ford
Capri
Henry Ford