1981 Ford Capri 2.8 Injection Automatic. Especially consigned by SVE for Henry Ford II. Unique car

Key Facts

CAPRI STORY

In December 1981, this unique Capri was delivered to Dagenham after being identified as a special vehicle and given A1 treatment on the production line at Cologne – this included extra layers of paint (Graphite Grey/Strato Silver) and the strictest QC checks – above a regular production vehicle.

From Dagenham the car was personally driven by Paul Harrison – Former Executive Director of Europe Communications and Public Affairs and delivered to Rod Mansfield – Former head of SVE at Dunton Engineering Centre – who took charge of the further modifications to the car.

The modifications consisted of SVE adapting and installing a C3 Automatic transmission, a leather interior with matching grey vinyl door cards and a specially widened driver’s seat were commissioned and fitted by the Ford Design department. After the conversion, the car was delivered to Turville Grange in Buckinghamshire, the Ford’s country residence.

The car was kept with the Ford’s until 1983 and returned to Dunton and subsequently sold to Ron Mellor – Head of Ford Product Development. Paul Harrison recalls the conversation preceding the transaction, the car being requested by Ron for his wife to use.

In 1986, Ron Mellor advertised the car on the Dunton staff notice board and it was sold to Alan Jarman – Former Head of Design. Alan kept the car until 1994 and it is reputed that he used the car for his weekly commute from Torquay to Dunton. In April 1993, the car was featured in the Capri Club International Magazine. The original V5 is present in the vehicle file confirming the ownership pertaining to Alan Jarman.

Over the last 27 years the car has been in the custardy of 4 collectors and covered less than 6,000 miles. It is understood that a partial restoration was conducted during 2008 – 2010.

During December 2020 and February 2021, the car has been recommissioned both mechanically and cosmetically.

In November 2020, the car was documented in Steve Saxty’s book, Secret Fords and in March 2021 (May edition) featured in Classic Cars Magazine – the writer stating that the car had been subjected to the ‘most sympathetic restoration’ he had ever seen.