1987 Ford Tickford Capri 2.8i
1 of 15 'lost' Tickford Capris following the cancellation of Turbo production

Registration No: D985 FKV
Chassis No: WF0CXXGAECGA91687
MOT: None

• 1 of 15 2.8 Injection models sold as 'Tickford Capris' but were never converted as part of Turbo production
• Retrofitted with many original Tickford Turbo fittings by a previous owner
• The subject of a recent article by the Tickford Owner's Club

Arguably the brainchild of ex-Lotus F1 driver and Autocar journalist John Miles, the Ford Capri Tickford Turbo was unveiled in prototype guise at the 1982 Birmingham Motor Show. Developed by Aston Martin Tickford Ltd (the famous Newport Pagnell manufacturer's special projects wing), the newcomer was based on a standard MkIII Capri 2.8 Injection. Visually distinguished by the lift-reducing GRP mouldings that Simon Saunders (latterly of Ariel Atom fame) devised for its nose, flanks and tail, the fixed-head was credited with a 0.37 drag coefficient. Reworked via the addition of an IHI turbocharger and Garrett intercooler, its 2792cc Cologne V6 drove the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.

Upgraded with four-wheel disc brakes, the muscular 2+2 Coupe also benefited from power-assisted rack and pinion steering and A-frame reinforced rear suspension (while early cars boasted a limited slip differential). Credited with 205bhp and 260lbft of torque, the high-performance model was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds and 139.8mph. Priced at an immodest £14,985, it came with Recaro front seats and a leather-topped walnut dashboard as standard. The plan was to reconfigure 250 examples and an initial batch of 100 Injection Capris was purchased from Ford. However, at some 200 man-hours per conversion, the cars proved expensive to build and expensive to sell. Ultimately, just 85 of the original batch are understood to have been completed. So, what of the missing fifteen cars? It is understood that the final fifteen of the 100 Injection Capris purchased by Tickford were never converted and remained as standard 2.8is, yet had already been registered as 'Tickford Capris' with the DVLA and subsequently sold through a Northampton Ford Dealer to the general public.

The subject to an article by the Chairman of the Tickford Owner's Club in August 2024, it is now understood that 'D985 FKV' is one of the fifteen Capri 2.8i's sold as 'Tickford Capris' in 1987, but never converted to be sold as one of the 85. Despite this, the muscular Ford has been confirmed to be fitted with a number of genuine Tickford parts that would mean a 'retro-fit' may not have been entirely possible to bring it up to full Tickford Turbo specification. The Ford has had four previous owners with one of them being able to find the parts needed to convert the car cosmetically. It is possible that it was sent back to Tickford to have these fitted. The Capri features the correct wooden dashboard with its special gauges and leather Recaro bucket seats, to match the body-kit with correct Aston Martin badging. Under the bonnet, however, things are a little different, with the correct IHI turbocharger absent, although a different type is fitted.

The vendor has advised that the car appears to be in 'very good' mechanical condition and the exterior bodywork is in overall 'good condition'. The Tickford-style interior presents in a 'very good, charmingly patinated' condition. Now offered to the market to make space for other vehicles, this interesting Ford is the perfect opportunity for any prospective owner with an interest in Tickford cars.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430