Auctioneer's Notes:

A striking 1971 Ford Capri 3000 GT XLR, finished in a period gold/mustard shade with a contrasting black interior. The Vendor advises that the Capri has remained within the same family since August 1979, giving it an unusually long period of family ownership. The car is currently undergoing restoration, but restricted premises and the loss of suitable dry, secure storage have prompted the decision to offer it for sale.

The photographs show the unmistakable Mk I Capri fastback profile, together with period features including its chromed exterior trim and Rostyle-style wheels. Inside, the car retains a suitably period cabin with black seating, wood-effect instrument fascia, additional instrumentation and four-speed manual transmission.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Capri is offered as an ongoing restoration, and prospective purchasers should therefore satisfy themselves as to the extent of the remaining work required. The interior remains substantially present and displays the character expected of a car awaiting completion, while the exterior presents smartly in its distinctive period colour.

The Vendor's reason for sale is principally one of storage rather than a change of enthusiasm for the car, with suitable dry and safe accommodation no longer available. No claim is made that the restoration is complete, and the car should be viewed accordingly.

History:

The accompanying history is particularly interesting, with MOT certificates mostly present from 1981 through to 2000, together with older registration and taxation documents.

Although the current registration document records five former keepers, the file contains correspondence confirming that the Capri subsequently returned to the present Vendor following the passing of his father, who had previously been its registered keeper. The family connection therefore extends back to August 1979.

Also included is a period price-guide page removed from an issue of Popular Classics, listing values for the model at between £600 and £3,500, depending upon condition — an evocative reminder of how the classic-car market has changed.

The Model:

Introduced as Ford's European answer to the affordable sporting coupé, the Mk I Capri combined dramatic fastback styling with familiar and readily serviceable Ford mechanicals. The 3000 GT sat towards the performance end of the range, using Ford's 2,998cc Essex V6, producing around 138 bhp in period specification and driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox.

The XLR specification added a higher level of trim and equipment, including the more comprehensive instrument arrangement, upgraded interior detailing and additional exterior embellishments. With its V6 performance, rear-wheel-drive layout and distinctive long-bonnet styling, the 3000 GT XLR represents one of the more sporting derivatives of the early Capri range.

Sale Insight:

This Capri offers an appealing combination of 3.0-litre Essex V6 power, XLR specification and exceptionally long family provenance. Its history dating back through the 1980s and 1990s, together with the correspondence explaining its passage between members of the same family, gives the car considerably more background than many restoration examples.

Now requiring completion of its ongoing restoration, it presents an opportunity for an enthusiast to take on a distinctive Mk I Capri with a known story stretching back almost five decades and return it to regular use.

Estimate:
Highest bid to be submitted