CLASSIC WORLD The Big Picture
What began as Project Colt leads to a juicy summer of 50th birthday events
We reveal events planned to mark the 50th birthday of the Ford Capri.
It’s 50 years since the first Ford Capri emerged from this plastic resin buck, known as Project Colt. The Ford of Britain team was busy perfecting the design in 1966 for a car that was to captivate the UK car buyer and inject some muscle-car glamour into the Ford range.
Fans of the Mustanginspired coupe have been enjoying a colourful start to this landmark year with
many more events to come. Gaydon’s National Motor Museum will thrum to the sound of the Essex and Kent on July 20-21 for the ‘50 Years of Capri Celebrations’ hosted by the Capri Mk1 Register (caprimk1register.com).
Among the other nods to five decades of Ford’s iconic coupe, Lincolnshire Aviation Centre (lincsaviation.co.uk) is inviting Capri owners to a photoshoot with a Lancaster Bomber on August 17, an annual event that always results in dramatic imagery. On September 1 the Capri Mk 1 Owners Club celebrates the Capri’s 50th at the Ford Technical Centre in Dunton, Essex. While Capris will have centre stage, the event combines with Frankie’s Classic Car Fest (sfh.org.uk/ frankies-classic-car-fest),
so expect a wide spectrum of classics and an inclusive
atmosphere. Pre-booking by August 17 is required.
The Surrey Capri Club (surreycapriclub.co.uk)
plans to build on the success of their 45th Anniversary, with a 50th Anniversary event at Brooklands Museum on September 8.
The day promises plenty of displays around the historic venue, and noisy ascents up Test Hill.
Finally, as the season starts
to draw to a close, Mansfield Notts Capri Club (capriclub2000.co.uk) will host a special gathering at Gaydon’s British Motor Museum on September 21.
So, if you have a Capri, please don’t keep it under wraps this summer!