Founders Blog: Ford Capri… The car you always promised yourself!

I was delighted to be greeted by a splendid line up of Mk1 Ford Capris on arrival at Great British Car Journey Saturday morning (including these two rare V8 engined Perana Capris that were made in South Africa).

       

I am old enough to remember the launch of the Capri and the excitement it caused. At the very end of the decade it seemed to encapsulate the brash, bold and downright sexy 60s. Here was a full size two door coupe, available in a plethora of different specifications, clothed in a body which was bang up to date.

Even if you could only afford the base 1300 model, the looks made up for the relative lack of outright performance. For the young family, there was enough room for the kids and a reasonable amount of luggage, whilst Mum and Dad would look even more cool in their flares and cheesecloth.

Very soon over a million of this Pan-European beauties had been sold and the Capri (in heavily facelifted form) was still popular in the 80s.

Of course, Ford have recently been the subject to plenty of internet comments on the revival of the Capri name on their new all electric SUV.  Admittedly, it may lack the purity of its 1969 predecessor but it does look refreshingly different to most of its competitors and I for one, welcome a car with a proper name with heritage associations. Much better than a SKUJAK , WAZAR or BOJUP and all the other weird names that seem to be the rage!

By most accounts, it’s also a good car, so let’s hope that Ford is poised for a bit of a revival in the UK. After all, they have been part of the UK scene for well over a century and are still a major employer in the UK vehicle industry.

Thanks to Capri Mk1 Owners’ Club Chairman, Duncan Benham, for bringing the Club to join us this weekend. We hope you enjoyed a good day despite the damp weather and hope to see you again in 2025!

PS. We are on the trail of a Mk1 Capri 1300 which has been in the same family from new. Ahhh… Nostalgia…don’t you love it?

Richard Usher
Founder, Great British Car Journey