FORD CAPRI MK1 1600XL 1969. One owner from new.
Ford marketed their stylish new coupe as “The car you always promised yourself” and it was a winner from the start.
John Davies was serving in RAF 31 squadron in Germany and took delivery of this car in October 1969 paying £693 and 5 shillings (25p) for her brand new and 250 Deutschmarks to have her shipped to Bremerhaven from Harwich.
The basic price free of purchase tax as the car was being exported was £630 with the extra £63 being for the XL package and Amber Gold metallic paint.
John was to love and cherish this car for the next 56 years. As a time-served RAF fitter, once the car was out of warranty, John serviced it himself using only original parts and Duckhams oil which has been changed every 5000 miles. The protective plastic on the rear seats would have been fitted at Halewood and has never been removed.
Having returned to Wales in 1971, the Capri shed its BFPO plates and was given a UK registration number with a K suffix thus losing two years off its actual age. John liked this as everyone thought he had bought a new car!
In fact the Capri was well used and has now covered an amazing 162,000 miles. In 2010, John treated her to a bare metal respray and any corroded metal was cut away and replaced.
Mechanically she remains remarkably original with all major drive train components being from 1969.
Sadly, John can no longer drive and has most generously donated this lovely car to Great British Car Journey. We are truly grateful and hope you enjoy her too.
