Lot details Registration No: XAS 105 Chassis No: 118287 Mot Expiry: T.B.A.
In 1961 Ford plugged the large gap that existed between the Anglia 105E and the soon to be replaced MK II Consul/Zephyr/Zodiac with the all-new Classic. Available as a 2 or 4 door saloon and with an enlarged 1340cc version of the well received new Anglia engine, the Classic’s striking US influenced styling included a reverse rake rear window, quad headlamps and tail fins. Further US influence saw the launch of the Capri in September 1961, a ‘personal car’ based on the Classic with a much more attractive fastback rear end. Competition for the Capri was limited, the most obvious rivals being the Sunbeam Rapier, Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia and Renault Floride and the Capri was particularly notable for having one of the largest boots of any UK market car! Criticism soon mounted however as the 1340cc engine which was carried over unchanged from the Classic was very free revving but lacked sufficient mid-range torque. Ford reacted quickly and in July 1962 both Classic and Capri were fitted with a 5-bearing 1498cc unit and all synchromesh gearbox. With much improved mid-range torque the Capri was transformed, although it still lacked the real power that its exotic styling promised. The final development, the 1963 GT, gave the Capri the sports car performance its looks deserved but did overstretch the chassis somewhat. Never as popular as Ford had hoped, only 7,573 Capris were made before production ceased in mid 1964. The Capri did however outlast its Classic brother which had been replaced by the Corsair in October 1963. Ford would not enter this market again until the next generation Capri of 1969.
Finished in very evocative peppermint with a white roof, the November 1962 Capri 1500 which is offered for sale today has a grey interior. The mileage shown on the odometer is just over 27,000 although we are told that the speedometer was changed in 1975 at 14,227 miles. Described by the vendor as ‘good’ in all aspects except for the chassis (‘very good’) and interior (‘excellent’) there is a history file detailing work done to the car. Unmolested Capri’s of any sort are rare these days, many having been customised in the 1970s, and the 1500 De Luxe is considered by many to be the best Capri for its compromise between performance and dynamic ability.
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