1987 FORD CAPRI 280
Ichanced upon this car, as it was owned by the father of one of my daughter’s friends. He showed it to me in his garage one night and I offered to buy it as soon as the nose of the car was out of its cover. In a strange turn of events, I ended up buying his house too, so it’s returned to the garage I bought it in!
‘I had the engine rebuilt a few years ago – the valves had worn their seats to the point they couldn’t be adjusted correctly, so the lead additive hadn’t been doing its job. While that was being done, the head was ported and polished and it’s now producing about 175bhp (stock is 160bhp.
‘I then had the bodywork done, for the second time, as the first respray I had wasn’t holding up well. At the last NEC show, Mike Brewer recommended MB Cosmetic Autocare of Northampton and they have done a fantastic job. Finally, Matt Rowe of Obsidian Detailing helped me to get it perfect, as it is today. I’ve felt the need to do lots of work to it, but it’s never let me down, proving a very reliable car – more so than my BMW Mini!
‘Sporting Bears is a great way to both use the car and help people. It’s like a family and I’ve been coming to the NEC with them since 2011. I always seem to be the one being put up for silly things for charity – I had pink hair last year! – but it’s all fun and I’d do anything for the causes we support.
‘I think the experience that has stuck with me most is when I found out that the elderly lady I was taking out in the Capri one time had come all the way from France for the ride. I was astonished. I also find it remarkable when I take kids out in it and they know more about the car than me – it’s great to see such enthusiasm for the car from young and old.’