WHAT HAVE I DONE? Bought a Ford Capri 2.8 Injection Sight Unseen at Auction! 

The Capri 2.8i was quite something in its day. I remember - how can i forget - trying to beat one at the traffic lights in King’s Lynn in my MG Midget in 1982 - on the evening of my engagement!! It was about midnight and drawling up to the traffic lights I thought “I’ll have him”. He followed me all through the town and then when the unrestricted Speedo sign appeared I floored it and he did as well. Of course he breezed past me - 1300 twin carb v 2.8i no contest. To my horror the famous sign flipped up at the back of the capri - ‘STOP POLICE’ I stopped. My mum who was 6 months pregnant with my 20 years younger brother inside her told me “don’t try and outrun him”. “Mum”, i said’ “what are you talking about, I’m your son not a criminal!” Inspector Hansel talked to me about my driving behaviour. Lovely polite chap. I explained I wasn’t really aware of my speed. Not a great defence I admit. But when he told me “But you were doing 50 MPH past the police station”: I knew that I was in trouble. Still, he was gentlemanly enough not to breathalyse me but to write out a speeding ticket with the parting words “and you should know better than to endanger your beautiful wife in her condition” - referring of course to my mother who always looked a lot younger than her age and really was quite a looker. Thank you Inspector Ansell and if you are reading this “cheers!” Old fashioned policing at its very best. I took the hint.

This car is a survivor, it's obviously been cared for and it's great that it's gone to another careful home, this classic will go on to show another generation, what simple clean computerless motoring looks like!

oh buddy you just took me back to my youth, I`m 62 I bought that model when I was 25 in 85 and loved every minute of owning it

Bin the viscous, buy an electric fan and alloy rad , standard rad is pants . The resister behind the dash controls the temp and fuel gauge readout if that's knackered it'll read incorrectly mate . You're also missing the rad cowling too but if you buy an alloy rad and fit an electric fan then you'll be fine . I own a 83 2.8i at the min and I've owned countless v6 Capris over the years . Cheers Mick (Lancs Capri Club)

A very gorgeous example wjhen Ford cars had excellence and detail to quality of design and importantly soul. I am 62 now so grew up when these were around right from the early MK1's to the last of the MK3's. I sold my last two in 1998, a 1987 1.6 Laser in Cardinal red and a black 1984 2.0S. I wish so much i had these now! I have to strongly agree, the car is one of the most prettiest and special designs in the world many owners past and present will attest to! Enjoy , I do hope you keep it and improve it every day while keeping the legend alive.

I wouldnt start digging to deep with this one, i suspect that paintwork is hiding some horrors. I'd freshen it up with low cost easy bits like number plates, boot struts etc and change the bits that have been overpainted like the A post courtesy switches, various grommets, and give the top mounts a lick of black, then enjoy a few shows and then pass it on. I suspect a bit of buyers remorse with this one.

Nice Capri, we used them as patrol cars in GMP traffic, loved to drive them first one I drove was OVR475R 3.0 s, right to the end of the 2.8i, that’s a rare find not many like that in good original condition, most have been vandalised by the boy racers. You won’t have any problems selling it, but it’s a nice addition to your Ford collection, you have sort of encapsulated all the tasty fords of that era well done.

I drove one when I had an XR3i in 1986. Even then you could tell it was old technology, loved the exhaust note though. The 0-60 time was helped by the fact the gearing was so long it would do it in second gear. The cologne engine is robust, not as torquey as the Essex, but of its time.

Its amazing how the years have made these cars such iconic classics, i remember my 2.8i putting 4 pot brakes on trying to improve the suspension, then it was wheels and a Turbo Tail and RS Front spoiler. Now it would be the reverse and try and turn everything back to original! Great car, definitely one that will be interesting to many Good move changing the fan, i would have done that anyhow was quite common that these would spin off, might also look at thw water pump while you do it

I had a 3 ltr mk1 face lift capri back in my twenties , absolutely loved the car id love to own another capri . Great video as always keep them coming

Enjoy it and get it restored. As others have said, alloy rad, kenlowe fan, youre laughing. Had loads of these, 46 to be exact, ran a 1.6, 2.0, 2.8 and 3.0 daily and they never let me down. I nearly had one same colour, silver over nimbus grey, i had a glacier blue over caspian blue 2.8 and that was a rare colour combo. They are without a doubt, one of the nicest looking cars ever made.

Another wonderful vid as always. I remember being in the back of a 1.6 of them. It looked amazing to me as a kid and have a big soft spot for them. Thank you for a great vid and bring back wonderful memories 🎉🎉

Well done Andy a great video as ever hope you are all keeping well Wow what a find it looks a good honest 2.8i and in very good condition for the age it is a good basis for a restoration and looks good in silver! With that number plate it’s a Birmingham area car brand new so sounds like it’s lived a life it’s fairly local to me! It would be good to see pepper pots back on and the body colour grille looks good to me! Maybe a new bonnet but whatever way you decide enjoy that fine car!

I'm in Australia, & it still looks like a stunning vehicle nearly 40 yrs later. We got the Capri up until about 1972/73 here . Then any others were privately imported from South Africa or the UK. Keep it, could be an appreciating asset

Had 1977 mk2 3.0 Ghia Auto at 19 & 1979 3.0s mk3 manual at 23. Still have a 1983 2.0s mk3 5speed at 55! Still enjoy driving a Capri now as much as did back in the day. Bought my 2.0s unseen at auction in lockdown. Best purchase i have ever made.

It's had rear arches & wings which is super common. Really difficult to get the wings to fit properly. Never seen one with the rear lights upside down! The parcel shelf is a Club copy, they're actually pretty good to be fair. The painted turret tops is a pet hate of mine!

Stunning car I was 19 and had a white 3L capri couldn’t afford to run it lol brings back memories I share your enthusiasm enjoy.

Had to watch this after being a Capri 3.0S owner in my early twenties - insurance was more than the car cost lol. Once had a sleep over at a friends house when I was about ten, and the first thing I said to my mum when she picked me up was "they have a Ford Capri with electric windows...." It was an Aston Martin

I was a huge fan of Ford during this era. Granada 2.8i and Capri 3.0S and 2.8i were the dream cars. Of course a young guy couldn't even dream of Porsche 911 or Ferrari back then. Too bad for Ford they always made obnoxious versions of their best models, like Granada 1.7 and Capri 1.3 and 1.6 Laser. Capri 3.0S and 2.8i were very fast cars by the standards back then. And the design have stood surprisingly well against the test of time. Still very, very good looking car and I'm glad they're finally getting the respect they deserve. Sure the rear axle construction is pretty cheap but it's all about the looks and feel.

With the underneath solid who cares about the paintwork, that's an easy fix compared to structural rot. That's a lovely car well done 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😉

Fluffy dice and screen strips (with names) are still available, decades on. Was never interested 'back then' but, they've grown on me. Nice purchase. Good colour.

My dad had one when he was younger, he sat me on his knee when i was 3 while driving it! Wish he saved it now! I was born in 94, i ised to speak to him about all these old cars all time, he left us on 29/11/22 at age 51 x

My father bought a 1972 mercury capri in Philadelphia, pa….and it looked a lot like this ford badge that is a decade newer. It was a terrific car to drive. What fun.

Looks a good buy, especially being so solid underneath 👍🙂

A car on 13" wheels is crazy One of my favourite old cars. Just wish i could of drove one

I remember these had two like driving a speedboat on the motorway in a crosswind when the front end lifted at speed

I’m 66 years old. I always wanted one of these back in the day when I imagined myself being Bodie or Doyle drifting around the streets of London in one. However, I couldn’t afford to insure one, let alone buy one! Ten years ago I finally bought an identical car to this from a local dealer - same age as well - except it had ‘enjoyed’ an auto box conversion which had been arranged by the Ford main agent at the time it was sold new back in ‘84. I still think they’re a stunning looking car, but the auto box didn’t suit it, and I soon discovered that (for me at least) the owning of such a classic vehicle didn’t live up to the dream. My modern, on paper, more modest car ran rings around the Capri in all aspects of driving and was a darned site more comfortable to ride in. I finally sold it back to the dealer after a year (at a loss - he must’ve loved me! 🙈😂😂), but I don’t regret buying it. It was a teenage dream of mine I finally got out of my system! 👍🏻

Super Video. Love the Capri. Mk 1 in my eyes the best but what an iconic Motor. Many thanks for a fab enthusiasm.

Such a beautiful thing. I could look at it all day x

Still a great looking car ❤

If you are considering driving the car regularly - especially during (lol) our sporadic heatwaves ! or giving it some spirited beans, I would recommend that you make a little mod first. Near the top on the right hand side of the radiator I would fit an after market cold air fan blowing towards and over the inlet manifold, I had several 2.8 i's in the 80's and the most bloody irritating problem I repeatedly had with all of them was , after running like a lovely little sewing machine for hours on end five minutes after you turned the ignition off not one of them would even consider restarting , ever ! - you could run the battery dead just trying, but if you left them for an hour or so they would burst into life first turn of the key without you doing a thing and just sit idling like a turbine, fortunately for me I was a mechanic at the time and after MUCH anguish and frustation over a considerable amount of time, narrowed it down to the fuel sitting in the injectors themselves atomising through heat soak causing a vapour lock which prevents them operating, letting it cool down allowed the fuel to reliquify and she would fire off without hesitation every time which was when I first had the idea to install an old heater fan mounted on the side of the radiator connected to a timer, it was pretty crude that first one, even a bit Heath Robinson, but running it on the timer for ten minutes blowing over the inlet manifold with the bonnet shut cured it instantly every single time, today of course all common rail fuel injection systems use electronic nozzle valves in the tips of the injectors, and the system stays semi pressurised even when the engine is off so you never get this problem anymore. but ohhhh man the sheer tear inducing anger and frustration of back then I can still remember vividly to this day....of course being ladies they NEVER did it when you were the only person around.........ohhhh no they HAD to wait until there was a crowd nearby sniggering at your "peice of crap" (bloody heathens grrr).

I had a sierra 2.8i xr4x4 years ago but would love an old 2.8 capri now... my brother owned a few and they are just so cool :)

The car I always wanted. Best I could do was a very nice looking black 2L ghia.

What a beautiful motor! My friend had a very mad max looking one when we were younger… so much fun. First time seeing your videos. Subscribed!

That temp gauge brings back memories ! Especially in that position.....

Really chuffed for you, go & do it because life is to short. I’m also very jealous because you’ve got just about an identical list that I had in the 80’s/90’s. Capri 2.8 injection, Sierra XR4x4, Sierra sapphire cosworth, Granada Scorpio (you had a Ghia X 😇) & on top of that you’ve got a glorious BMW E39 touring that we need to see more of please 🙏🏻.

Had a few 3.0 Capri's, Mk1 3000GXL, Mk2 3.0S and a Mk2 3.0 Ghia, great fun, check behind the front wheels between the wing and bulkhead side for corrosion, also above the front wheel on the back of the wing rail and strut brace, they do like to rust. 2.8 and 3.0 V6 sound wonderful.

I had a 2.8 capri and had it turbo charged by turbo technics. What a car wish i still had it

That's a nice car, I'm thinking about getting a mk 2 3.0.ghia takes me back to my younger days

I owned a 1977 Capri II Ghia with the 2.3 liter 4cyl. Mine was Copper with a tan vinyl interior. What a fun car! I wish I had another.

I never forget my 1.6 LS with weak struts on boot, it came crashing down on my head 🤕 ended up in hospital needing stitches.

Lovely looking car. Didn't think it'd look so good in silver. Blimey what a spot with those rear lenses. And yes most definitely one of the best looking cars ever, not the best but equal with others.

Traded my 78 mk2 3.0S for a 82 blue over silver 2.8. My first brand new car. Early four speed car, quite difficult to come by, I was lucky to get a cancelled order. I loved that car and this video brings back so many memories, thank you.

It's so so pretty a shape still. You must be well chuffed! Great video. Love the xr4 too. Cheers!

Had a red Capri 1.6 for 13 years. Loved it. Bit of a challenge driving round the West End (when it was allowed) with the tight corners. Sold it when daughter complained she had to climb out of the rear seat. LoL. Poor man's Aston Martin.

Hi i am now 71 years old and this car was my absolute dream vehicle unfortunately i never got one but i think they are just beautiful looking cars

Love it had four of them your very lucky to have it 😊

I would love to drive a capri in the USA,, just to see there reaction, they probably never seen a beauty like a capri over there, has to be a 2.8 though 👌 nice car pal 👍 thankyou for sharing

Grey shark tale of the car, Rose interior with a cloth, and they are nice seats as well nice and comfortable from Scotland 😅😅😅😅

You guys are doing a great job 👍

My dad had one of these as a company car! Great car.

Always wanted a Brooklands, remember seeing a brand new one in the 80's in a Ford dealership in Manchester. Did own a Capri back around 1993 but only for about 4 months, my Dad also my one and fell asleep behind the wheel and when he woke up he was almost upside down, when he woke up he said he was all confused and turned the key and the car started, then he realised he was off the road. Best of luck with her.

I remember when they first came out. They were quite the car and the epitamy of cool!

that Capri looks in really good nick. I was always a Capri fan, owning a 1971 mk1 1600 and a 1979 Orange 1.6GL in the mid 1980's. i then got newer cars while serving in the RAF until i left in 1997 . in civvy street i picked up a nice 1986 Capri 2.8 injection special. only 3 owners from new! and only £2750 ... I spent about £2k on engine upgrade and a Janspeed exhaust system, a few tweaks and conversion to unleaded (as 4* was on the way out) .. i kept my Capri for 7 years , used daily.. apart from the rear wheel arches needing repair , the only bodywork issue was the usual sort of spot welding for MOT - oh and a new bonnet and bumper when i hit a COW which had wandered into the road on Dartmoor. i loved it.. and everyone would always admire wherever i went. it was Ford's Rosso Red ( ie RED RED ) and i was sad to see it go . def enjoyed driving it and go glad i had the opportunity before the remaining examples are going for crazy money ...

I had an German 1979, V 6 Webber carburetor and 4speed. Gold Metallic black leather interior and black leatherette roof. I was the second owner. It was 14 " rims standard.

two things turned my head in the 80's, rabid packs of dogs running free (lol really happened) and a Capri driving past

Always remember seeing a fully liveried Police 2.8i Capri in the late 80s around Merseyside. Now living in Australia and the Aussie Ford Capri was something completely different. A soft top looking more like a Toyota MR2. Just had a google and it turns out that it was Greater Manchester Police that had the Capri.

As a kid I could never understand why old timers harped on about old cars. Fast forward to today and I love watching clips about Cortina's Capri's, Grenada's, Executives, Zephyrs, Populars , Escorts etc

I couldnt miss them torpoint twisties! Great little road. Lovely car for it too.

😅Capris always popular in Ireland too. Met a campsite owner in Killarney who has one in brilliant white. He has spent €11,000 restoring it!

Back in the day I had a white 2.8 with a full ford RS factory body kit with skirts in white, 5 speed box, the same Grey 2 tone Recaro interior and pepper pots. Cost £500 in the early 90’s…I loved that car and it’s engine note…..like Max in his interceptor when waiting for the Nightrider….the speedo cable broke and I popped out to pick up a pizza…..got busted doing 56mph in a 30 and I wasn’t even trying. Had to let it go as it needed a new gearbox and at the time I just didn’t have the cash. Before that I had a lovely black 2.0S with fishnet Recaro’s, a 2.0 GL and a mk2 “minder” square headlight 1.6GL which got side swiped and written off. happy days!

Awesome 👏 car ! I’m 🇺🇸 so we didn’t have those. Enjoyed your enthusiasm on the ride home.

Never had a 2.8... I purchased a Mkll 2.0s - 1978. From a local auction in 1981... £180.. I bought a extra set of rostyles with better tread. Used them during the winter months. (Kept the lower tread wheels and tyres in the boot to reduce the back end flying about)... Removed them during the spring /summer months. A riot to drive and the engine simple to work on. Keep the backend sliding. Rear wheel drive is the way forward 🤔

Nice one mate capri 2.8 injection 💯💯💯👌

Great car, I used to have a 1984 1.6 LS, then a Probe, then a Focus 2.0 titanium. I currently own a 2015 Focus ST with a Mountune MP 275 upgrade but Capri's are still great.🙂

Oh fantastic stuff.

Good purchase - it’s a keeper!! Sell and regret, as good ones are getting rare!!

Looks decent in general. Shame someone pained the strut tops and even the electronic ignition module. It also has the wrong radiator cap on it and the expansion tank doesn't look correct. I have an '83 2.8i and the temp gauge never gets beyond around a quarter even in warm temperatures. They fitted an 82 degree thermostat to these, which means they should run a little cooler than other Capri's, hence the lower gauge reading. I had my standard radiator re-cored with an uprated matrix so it still looks all original but is more efficient. Even in the high temps last summer it never got too warm. Key is to ensure to flush the system through and use a good antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor to keep rust and sludge build up to a minimum. Then, use it regularly and enjoy it!

Had 5 capris in total,mk1 1.6,mk 2 2ltr,mk2 3.0 ltr and 2 2.8 injections,id love to have another,proper car with lots of grunt,bit tail happy in the wet,but a bag of cement in the boot cured that (sort of) 😂

I bought my red 2.8i in August 1991 (nearly 32 years ago) she has had a lot of new parts including track control arms, steering gaiters, tie rod ends, hand brake cable, brake discs, M16 calipers, pads, a custom 1 piece propshaft, front indicators, speedo cable and 1st June finally got the new tyres. Been stored over 3 years so hopefully maybe July I'll be able to m o t her. Mine is a really early 'Y' reg 8th July 1983. To keep her company I bought a MK1 3 litre GT in 2004 that is now an ETCC ford "works" touring car replica in blue and white with 16 inch 3 piece split rims and a box arch body kit with a duck tail spoiler. Also m o t exempt only applies to standard cars so has to be as it left the factory. I asked my mate in the r a c and he said whatever you do DO NOT fill the form in. Your MK1 isn't standard. Someone will come to inspect the car and if it fails you lose the tax exemption, the log book, so it will be on a 'Q' plate and then have to pay for the road fund licence.

Nice video and thank you. Enjoyable watch 🙂 My Dad had a Mk1 Capri 3.0 GXL Facelift, in Olympic Blue. To this day, i have never ever seen another model in that colour. Apart from the RS3100 of course. Registration number was CAB 773N.

After coaxing my first car to keep running, a Hillman Imp, for about a year, with increasingly limited success, I got a promotion at work and bought a metallic green 2.0ltr Capri, with a black vinyl roof - it had the V4, which looked tiny under the bonnet - but it was truly fabulous to drive - only had it about 6month though, before I was offered a company car (in those days totally free to me) so, sadly, I had to let the Capri go...

Wow Auction near me..I love Capri's and have had 4 in my younger day right up to a 3.0 ltr ghia which i loved..I have 4 classic vehicles now but not a capri..Great video.

Nice car. I have a mk11 with a 24v cosworth and it's a joy

A friend of mine bought one new, slightest hint of dampness and it was wagging its tail and no room in the back "seats" but he loved it.

The GMP loved these but they were very lively at the rear end before the days of Traction Control

Absolutely stunning example. I have longed for one ever since the 2.8injection first came out. I'm 58 and still no Capri though😆

Niiiicee 👌 congrats on the buy 👋 its an astonishing car, allthough i see a lot of fresh paint though, thats the only thing what is kind of a redish flag

Man, I'd be happy enough with a 1.6L in good nick. The Capri is such an iconic car. I also adore the MKII Escort.

Very nice car. I have always liked the mk3 and last year I was a passenger in my friends 2.8 . Sadly his overheated at Mount Edgecumbe last year and it is still not working. Oddly enough his car is in Saltash and I do car delivery for that auction place.

Even as a kid, I remember the Capri's running hot...

The gurgle every morning after starter her up such a sound.i drove my 2.8 from Monmouth to Swansea without a water pump with no probs

OA registrations appear to be Oxford area. Will be interesting to see how this one turns out. A few years ago I bought a 5 year old Volvo from Scotland, never again! Underneath it looked like it lived in Loch Ness!

Well done my Dream car as well all ways wanted one from when I was a teenager in the 80s 😢

Lost my Burgundy 1.6 laser 4 spoke alloys in 1990,stolen from pay and display carpark in Rotherham, still miss it😢

I love ford Capri what a car

Absolutely 💯 stunning car love it

I've had 5 Capri's great cars ❤

My dream car is a DB9. My realistic dream car would be the V6 variant of the Ford capri

Used to love our old Capri. Metallic Blue with alloy wheels. ❤

Love this car, after what you have said about how special it is to you would be a shame to pass it on maybe. I well recall several years ago meeting a British ex RAF pilot (now sadly deceased) and he gave me a fairly hair raising ride in a 3 litre version, what an experience that was. Thanks for this, wonderful car and the looks are amazing still.

Very nice , sunroof did you switch up the small black button in side where the Handel is in the roof ? Also the small parts you need try CCI , Capri gear or Tickover . I would also make sure you have a 82” thermostat as people fit the 87” ones what makes them run hot . But enjoy your rides out 👍👍

My aunt had a 2.0 laser early 90’s. Stacked it and it sat in our front garden for a year whilst she struggled with the insurers. In the end my mum had to call in a favour to get it towed to the scrap yard. Sad, it was a nice looking car, but my aunt drove like a rally driver. I remember sliding from side to side across the vinyl rear seat (no seat belts in those days) of her old Mk 2 Escort, fearing for my life once as a kid. Nice lady, but an awful driver 😂

Hello Andy What a lovely motor a classic Capri 2.8i and from an unseen auction a risk thats paid off, personally id get the few odd jobs done and if you can sell on for a profit then put that back into the cossie as sorry to hear the restoration has hit a few delays. Im so jealous of those Cornwall roads as im a lorry driver and many a night out at Truro football club. The roads were made for your Focus RS Mk1.. incidently mines had to have a new water pump and £700 along with full Cambelt kit its over £1000. Ouch! Anyway enjoy the Capri for a while and once again an awesome video excellent content description and illustrations, a full credit to the Cornish car collections channel 👍 Take care mate catch up on the next update drive safe. Nigel 😎

Fantastic to see a nice Capri 2.8i. I owned four Capri’s - two 1.6 and two 2.8i’s. My First 2.8i was a X reg 4 speed manual and it went like a rocket. My second 2.8i was a C reg 2.8i special which was really nice but not as quick as the earlier model. Both my 2.8i’s ran hot so I don’t think you’ve got too much to worry about - great purchase! 👍👍👍

Lovely capri , I had a 2.0 ltr as my first car then an xr3,xr3i ford orion ghia Sierra 4x4 then a 2.8 capri (A34 MEG) , loved all of them. Wonder if she's still about

Voted most beautiful car ever in an Italian magazine was the the Mazda Xedos 6. When washing my wife’s, in dark red, there was never an instance when I didn’t stop to look at its lines - fantastic👍

My first car was a Capri, I was only 13 years old, played with it for some time then sold it, so it was also my first car sale, they are so cool looking, one of Ford greatest.

I've had 2 of these an early X reg graphite and silver and a B reg Special in white and neither had any problems with the sunroof or overheating. The early recaros did wear on the outer edge but the leather ones were fine. Both were factory standard with original radios and electric aerials but the Special had a vinyl roof as the first owner had always had Ghia models before so had the dealer fit one when new. The only modifications made were a double front roll bar and A-frame on the rear axle to stop it moving side to side and tramping. Wish I still had them, both massively better than a Sierra XR 4x4 that I had in between them.

I`m sure you have checked but I believe this car was registered in Birmingham. All those years age (and some) I had a registration for a vehicle COA. Anyway best of luck, I am dead jealous.