Ford Capri

ENGINE 1598cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 64bhp@4800rpm TORQUE 85lb ft@5700rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 92mph 0-60MPH 16sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 28-34mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual MoT Jan 2019 ODOMETER 30,654 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

This car has done little mileage since a complete rebuild a few years ago. The steering and suspension are all tight with no untoward noises, while the gearshift has no nasty crunches. The brakes are in good order, with no darting in either direction. There’s also remarkably little rattling from the interior trim once under way, though wind noise is very loud – perhaps because of illfitting door seals.

BODYWORK CHECK

It’s impossible to fault the main bodywork on this car, its paintwork being flawless. The dealer says it was restored just before it came into their hands over three years ago, but that they have not yet been able to track down its paperwork to prove when. The chromework is clearly one of the few things that wasn’t replaced for new during its restoration, as up close there are small imperfections, but only ones that would trouble a concours judge. A thorough polishing would help and the same is true of the wheel trims – chrome hubcaps over steel. This is a sympathetically restored interior. The seat upholstery and door cards have clearly been replaced and are in fantastic condition. The dashboard has multiple cracks, and while all are inoffensive hairlines, some are quite large, both on the dash top and underslung parcel shelf. The headlining is clean and taut, though there’s a very small amount of discolouration around the edges where it joins with other pieces of trim. The wood-effect dashboard is unmarked and the dials are in good working order. An original padded steering wheel is present in the correct colour, but this does have a few marks.

UNDER THE BONNET

What work the engine’s internals have seen can’t be confirmed until the dealer locates the full history file (they are still hopeful), but virtually every visible component under the bonnet is new or reconditioned. There’s been an admirable effort to keep things looking stock – only a plastic in-line fuel filter being an obvious marker of modernity. The engine starts easily with a little choke and idles smoothly. It pulls well throughout the rev range, with no untoward noises or smoke. The main issue is likely to be its lack of use, as it has only travelled 60 miles in the past six years if MoT records are correct, though it felt remarkably good on test, with no issues apparent.

THE CCW VIEW

This is surely one of the best 1600L MkIs in the country, having barely moved following a thorough restoration. However, the car’s lack of use is likely to create a few niggles for its owner once pressed into regular use, and a history file to give an exact description of the work carried out would be useful.