1984 Ford Capri – Project Profile

Everybody loves an old Ford, especially when that Ford is Capri-shaped. Happily, that’s what we have here, but it’s not a normal Ford Capri. Instead, it’s an example of a project car in its most extreme form. You know the sort – the project car that was once being built on a wave of enthusiasm, but that enthusiasm has long since splashed into the shores and faded away. And that’s a shame, but it is by no means a unique scenario. A cursory search for ‘unfinished projects’ on the old internet will fetch up no shortage of results. It’s sadly a common occurrence. And for many cars, it’s also the end of the road. They get chopped about, stripped and modified to such an extent that any chance of seeing the road again is left slim. Happily, that’s not the case here. This Ford Capri, a 1984 model, was saved from going that way. As such, it’s nowhere near the point of no return and is instead a solid, dry-stored, relatively rust-free base on which you could build your dream ‘car that you always promised yourself’. You just have to decide if you’re going to keep the engine that’s currently ‘fitted’?

What is it?

Well, as we have touched on, it’s a Ford Capri of 1984 vintage. The vendor doesn’t say what model it started out as, probably because all traces of trim level have long since been lost. The Capri is now a curious shade of purple/blue with lots of added primer. However, the liberal application of said primer would go some way to suggest that a great deal of bodywork has been tended to in the past. Certainly, the rear arches and sills seem to be solid, which is pleasing given the Capri’s propensity to rot in those areas.

This Capri gets really interesting when you remove the bonnet (we say remove, as lifting isn’t an option – it’s not bolted to the car at present). Under here, between the pleasingly solid looking strut towers, you won’t find the traditional Pinto. Nor will you find an Essex or Cologne V6. Got to be a Rover V8 then, surely? No, actually. Instead, you’ll find a sensible, restrained and considered choice – a BMW V12. Okay then.

To give the Capri’s past, evidently ‘mad scientist’ owner credit, the V12 does sit in the engine bay nicely. However, in doing so it fills every possible bit of space. A concern, as this engine isn’t plumbed in at all. As such, the intakes, cooling and wiring are all yet to be housed. And as to where they would be housed is something of a mystery. There has obviously been some consideration made regrading this, or at least the cooling element. The nose of the Capri has been boxed out by a few inches, presumably to make space for a radiator?

It’s a curious ‘bitsa’ of a car, but one that, at its core, is seemingly solid and as such, could be a good base for someone looking for a cheap way into Capri ownership – this is only £2,995.

Why is it a project? 

Well, it’s got a V12 stuffed in it that doesn’t run. That’s the first reason. Then there is the fact the body needs assembly and finishing, there is no interior, the trim has been removed and is piled inside the car and, well, myriad other things. The way to look at this car would be to treat it as a shell with a V5 and some spare parts. This Capri is (and we know, as we’ve seen it in person) a solid, reasonably rust free car. And that’s a rare thing to find. The past owner may have been a bit giddy with the engine choice, but the fact remains he or she started with a solid car.

The current owner, Luden Automotive, bought this car because they saw the value and potential in it as a Capri shell. Had they not stepped in, this car would almost certainly be past tense now. Someone had big ideas once, but as is so often the case with projects, those ideas ultimately went unfulfilled. That person’s loss has the potential to be your gain though. Take that V12 out, sell it on, and then take stock of what you have. A solid, largely rust-free Capri that you can build any way you like.

Five things to look for:

1) Rust 

Yes, we said that having seen the car, it appears to be largely rust free. However, it never hurts to satisfy yourself of that fact. The team at Luden will be more than happy to put the car on a ramp for you so you can have a good prod about.

2) Trim

The vendor states that it’s tricky to know exactly what’s there, as the Capri is laden with parts from two cars (a BMW and a Ford). Have a sit through, see what’s there. You’re going to need to get lots of parts for this car, but by having a look through what’s there, you might be able to tick off some hard to find bits like headlights etc.

3) Engine

The guys at Luden have never really had any interest in making the V12 run. As such, it’s down to you as the buyer to inspect it. Even if you don’t plan to use it, it’s worth inspecting as you might want to sell it on.

4) Body

The body of this Capri looks to be in excellent order apart from the paint. The wings and bonnet aren’t affixed, but that’s just nuts and bolts. From what we recall from seeing it, the body was pretty straight and free of any serious rot or damage. But as ever, you should inspect it, too.

5) Modifications

As we said, the guys at Luden will happily put this car on a ramp for you. Have a look at how the engine has been fitted. What has been done, what mounts/subframe does it sit on, is it going to be a nightmare to change it back to something more traditional? What work has been done to the firewall and to the front end? How much of a job is it going to be to rectify this?

What should you do with it? 

Maybe we’re eternal optimists, maybe we just like old Fords too much. Whatever the bedrock of our thinking, we are firmly of the belief that this old Ford Capri could live again. If it were ours, we’d get rid of that V12 – it’s too big – and instead fit something smaller. A car like this would be ripe for a V8 conversion, so that’s the route we’d go. And then we’d go full track car. Why spend time and money trying to find trim and fittings? Just strip it out, fit alloy door panels, a roll cage, fuel cell, buckets and harnesses. Paint the whole thing in whatever colour you have laying about, job done. This could be a running, driving, track-ready car for six grand all in. That’s the way we’d go with it. As much as we like an original Capri, that ship has sailed here, so have some fun with it instead.