Billed as “The car you always promised yourself”, the Ford Capri was launched in 1969 and eventually sold more than 1.9 million units, to people who clearly felt that they were indeed worth it.
The final and some would say ultimate Capri MK III was introduced in March 1978, with improved aerodynamics, wraparound black bumpers and twin circular headlamps framing the Aeroflow grille that would become a Ford hallmark, like the sawtooth rear lights.
The MK3 3.0S is one of the most desirable within the complete Ford Capri lineage. Notably, it played a starring role in the 70s/80s TV series the “The Professionals”, with both leading characters Bodie and Doyle, having one a piece!
The 3 litre “Essex V6” combines solid build quality with healthy performance. Indeed, the MK3 3.0S managed a top speed of 122mph and 0-60mph in only 8.5 seconds, which in 1978, was the kind of performance normally associated with significantly more expensive sports cars.
Supplied new by Soans of Leamington Spa and first registered in October 1978, this car is totally original in every way, and still wears its original dealer number plates and rear hatch dealer sticker.
This immaculate matching numbers Capri Mk3 3.0S, is in a specification we’ve never come across before. It could be described as a “base” specification model being not fitted with a sunroof, power steering, “fishnet” headrest Recaro seats or a driver’s remote door mirror, all of which had to be ordered as optional extras. This makes it an incredibly rare example and in recent discussions with an ex Ford dealer of the era, he couldn’t remember ever having sold one in this specification.
When you add the fact that it has only had 2 registered keepers, has covered just 26,000 miles from new (backed up by service and MOT history), presents as having never been restored, it may well be one of the rarest "survivor" MK3 3.0S Capris out there.
The exceptional condition of the car is testament to a pampered life led in the hands of fastidious collectors’, wanting to have the very best example of this iconic fast Ford.
Having just come from such a collector, the car was put through a comprehensive recommissioning service, following a period of storage and given a fresh MOT.
This is an exceptionally rare find and represents a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the discerning collector and/or Ford enthusiast, who is keen to dazzle the crowds and/or win concours trophies on the show scene.
The MK3 Capri’s unmistakably elegant lines are sleek, aggressive and muscular owing much to the legendary car designer Uwe Bahnsen, who designed cars for Ford from the 60s to mid 80s.
Finished in black (paint code A9), the paintwork is in outstanding condition, still showing the slight “orange peel” finish, so typical of Ford cars of this era. Extensive measurement across the car with a paint thickness gauge, identifies uniform paint thickness within the typical factory finish paint range, suggesting that the car presents in its original paint and is testament to the level of care its received by its owners, since leaving the factory 45 years ago!
As to be expected to what presents as an unrestored car of this age, there are one of two very minor blemishes that have been subject to a touch-up pen, but as can be seen from the pictures, these are all but invisible.
To present the car to the market, the car was given a light machine polishing to remove any “cover” related scratches from storage and a wax finish with Zymol’s “Concours Glaze”.
All panel gaps are factory even and the car is free of any dents. Both front and rear bumpers are in superb, unmarked condition. In addition, all door and window trim are in the correct satin black and unmarked, albeit beginning to show just the slightest sign of patina. Unusually, this car is without a remote driver’s door mirror, which we believe to be the original factory specification, as the driver’s side door card is made without a driver’s side cut-out for the door mirror control toggle.
The rear hatch opens and shuts perfectly and even remains up, the gas struts still doing the job they were built for. As can be seen from the photos, the boot floor is unmarked and entirely rust free. Finally, all lights are crystal clear and unblemished.
The Orange Carla Check seats are the rounded headrest version, which were the standard factory fitment (the Recaro seats with fishnet headrests, being an optional extra). Both front and rear seats are in excellent condition, are not discoloured or marked and remain supportive. All door cards are in unmarked condition and free of after-market speakers. The deep pile carpets are spotless. The dashboard is in perfect condition, with no signs of any cracks. The perforated headlining is tight, in excellent condition and with no discolouration. The original three spoke steering wheel, shows a little patina, but is in excellent shape. All controls and gauges are fully functioning, including the two speed heater fan (notorious for failing) , the analogue quartz clock and original Ford push button radio. The parcel shelf is in excellent order and unlike the fate of so many other Capris, has managed to avoid being hacked about for speaker fitment! Finally, the carpeted boot floor is as new, spare wheel and tyre unused and the original jack present.
The engine bay is immaculate. As part of the pre-sales recommissioning, the car was subject to a comprehensive inspection and service, including both engine and gearbox oil change, as well as a brake fluid change. All suspension, transmission and running gear operate as they should, with no untoward noises. The exhaust is in excellent overall condition. We do note that the rear silencers are new, but non original equipment, being slightly oversized and sporting attractive chrome tips, all the better to enjoy the delightful V6 burble through.
The 3.0 litre “Essex” engine is renowned for its torque and with the factory 4 speed manual, it has plenty of get up and go. You can really enjoy the engine’s flexibility, whether relaxing using the plentiful low down torque in the higher gears, or downshifting for more spirited driving, when you want to get a hurry on!
Finally, whilst the non power assisted steering makes steering effort a little harder at parking speeds, once on the move the steering feels so much more direct and communicative than with the power steering set-up.
The car currently sits on a set of genuine Ford RS 4 spoke polished alloy wheels with black inserts. These are period correct and date stamped. The wheels are 6J x 13 and are fitted with virtually unused period correct Dunlop Sport Classic Tyres (date stamped 2017), in size 205 x 60 x13.
Depending on the price agreed, the full set of 5 of these wheels and tyres will come with the car.
Alternatively, the car also has an original set of the “Snowflake” alloys that were the standard fitment wheels in size 5.5J x 13-inch. These are also in excellent unmarked condition and fitted with the same make 185 x 70 tyres all round and all with significant tread, with the spare tyre being unused.
As part of the pre-sales recommissioning all brakes callipers discs and drums were checked for operational efficiency and adjusted as necessary.
As can be seen from the photos, the underside presents as though it has just left the factory. In addition to the original factory underseal and paint finish, as part of the pre-sales preparation, the underside has also been subject to extensive rust preventative treatment, using a combination of Dinitrol and Lanoguard anti corrosion and clear wax products. These have been applied not just to the floor pan, sills and wheel arches, but to all fixtures and components at risk of corrosion, to ensure a high level of anti-corrosion protection going forwards.
The car comes with a comprehensive history file. The current mileage of 26,012 is believed to be corrected and is supported by the current and previous MOT and SORN certificates, that align with mileage recorded on service inspection reports and invoices, many of which are from Soans, the original supplying dealer.
In addition, the current V5C is present, along with additional works and parts invoices. There is also a collection of A4 copy photos of the car some of which are laminated and a set of original Ford booklets, covering, “Operation and Care”, “Owner’s Handbook” and “Ford Accessories” guide.
The documents file also contains a section of the 20th of April 2015 Daily Telegraph, which includes a feature celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Ford Capri.
The car comes with its own custom indoor cover and three sets of keys (2 original Ford keys and an aftermarket spare), all attached to an original Soans of Leamington Spa key ring.
Finally, included with the documents folder is a Ford VIN plate decoder.
When applied to this car, it correctly identifies it as a Black RHD Capri 2 door coupe, with black cloth interior trim (it is understood that Ford didn’t use a specific designation for the Carla Check trim), built in Cologne in September 1978, with a 3000cc engine, final drive rear axle of 3.091:1 and fitted with a manual 4 speed gearbox.
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