Ford Capri MkIII 2.8i

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“The car you always promised yourself” announced Ford upon launching its new Capri in 1969, a liberating two-door fastback coupe they hoped would generate the same following in Europe as the Mustang had garnered in the US.

Restyled three times in its 33-year life, the Capri always remained close to its roots. The initially exaggerated belt line would smooth and the impression of almost scalloped sides would flatten out. By the MkIII of 1978, Capri sales were in decline, but the model was still a roomy and individual coupe.

In 1982, Ford decided to launch a new fuel injected power plant and dropped the 3.0 V6 in favour of the all-new 2.8 injection Cologne V6 power plant, with a power output of 160bhp and a top speed of 130mph through the existing 4-speed gearbox This was swiftly upgraded to a 5-speed, and along with an interior facelift, it allowed Ford to keep the car in production for a couple more years than originally forecast.

This stunning 2.8i 5-speed was first registered in August 1984 and still looks so sharp and original that it is hard to believe it is now 34 years old. It is showing only 34,400 miles on the clock and while there is insufficient history to warrant this, a close look at the car – inside, outside, underneath – does nothing to dispel the impression that it may well be correct. An online MOT history check shows that it has certainly only covered 16,400 miles since 2007.

Performing beautifully when we took it for a test drive on the occasion of our visit, it has excellent bodywork and paint, the grey velour Recaro interior is amazingly clean for its age and the whole car just speaks of a low mileage specimen that has led a charmed life to date. Supplied with a V5C and due to have a new MOT in time for the sale, it would sit well in any Fast Ford collection.