1987 FORD CAPRI 280 ‘BROOKLANDS’
When long-time Capri lover Alan wanted to replace the ‘ boring’ family car with something fun, the outcome was kind of inevitable
‘It was 1996 and the children had grown up and left home so it was time to find a replacement for the myriad, boring family wagons we had been driving and get back to owning something fun. My love for the Capri was as strong as ever and we still had the 2.0-litre GL I’ve owned since new in 1981. After testing other options, including a Scimitar GTE and Triumph Stag, it quickly became apparent that nothing floated my boat like the Capri and so I chose this two-owner 280. It was practical enough to use every day but it also had enough oomph to be enjoyed in a more exuberant fashion and it was the perfect sister car to the GL that my wife had claimed as her own.
‘The 280 was essentially a workhorse, but I always looked after it well; and about seven years ago I decided to show it some real love and have it repainted. Sadly, things didn’t go to plan and when I got the car back I was horrified to discover badly re-fitted panels and a shocking paint finish.
‘To put it politely there had been some “restructuring” at that body shop while the Capri was there. I booked it in to a more reputable establishment and I was overjoyed when the car came back looking pristine.
‘It gets lots of admiring looks wherever it goes and many a conversation has been started with the ubiquitous “I had one of those”. Either that or they at least knew someone who did.
‘But it’s not just the general public who seem to appreciate the Capri. This year, it won third in class at the Classic Car and Autojumble meet at Brooklands. I didn’t even know it was being judged, and it was up against seriously stiff competition.
‘It would seem that this particular 280 Brooklands may even be unique. Of the 1000 or so Brooklands that were made, only three were automatics. Not only that, but mine also has factory air-conditioning and an RS rear spoiler made by Zender. There are some other options that I’ve added over the years such as a heated front screen, replacement seats and cruise control. I don’t know about you but I’ve certainly never seen another with the same spec. So it may indeed be unique.
‘My love for Fords goes back a long way. My father’s first car was an Anglia 105E and I learned to drive in his blue V4 Ford Corsair. I grew up helping him fix various cars but they all had one thing in common – that blue oval badge.
‘ We’ve come a long way since my first 1.6-litre Capri back in the ’70s, but it has been quite the journey and I feel privileged to have not one but two of Dagenham’s finest parked sideby-side at home. Mind you, the 280 does get to live in the garage most of the time.
‘Favouritism? Well, maybe just a little bit.’