For the next week, a 1981 Ford Capri is currently under the hammer on specialist collectible vehicle website, Car & Classic in the UK. But it’s not just any Capri. This "2.8 Injection" model was built specifically for Henry Ford II, the eldest grandson of Henry Ford and president of the manufacturer from 1945-1960, who continued as CEO until 1979. The “Deuce” would use the car for dealer and supplier visits in the UK, which was very important at the time, and the Capri was built specifically for his use.
This Capri Is A Rare Find
The first two genrations of Capri's were exported to North America and sold under the Lincoln-Mercury division, but we never got this third generation model. Unlike a normal 2.8 Capri, this custom unit was fitted with a wider driver’s seat to accommodate Ford’s wider frame. Ford II drove the car to the Danton Technical Center to have the leather seats installed as well as an automatic C3 gearbox. The car reportedly underwent a rigorous and strict quality control review to ensure the boss didn’t encounter any reliability issues while traveling the countryside.
The car has just over 68,000 miles on the clock, with according to records, barely over 6,800 were covered over the last 28 years. The rear-drive coupe's 2.8-liter V6 produced 158 bhp at 5700 rpm with a maximum torque at 156 lb-ft at 4300 rpm.
One Of Three Fords Build By The SVE Division
The sporty Capri bears the registration 'AVW 109X', and is one of three special Fords built by its Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) division for Henry Ford II. The Capri was hand-picked off the Cologne production line and on arrival at Ford Dagenham, was personally collected by Ford’s former executive director of European communications and public affairs, Paul Harrison.
The Story Of The “Duece’s” Capri
The importance of having the “boss” visit Europe during Ford II’s reign at the blue-oval was tantamount to the brand’s success overseas, and the ability for "the Deuce" to be able to easily make his way around the country helped the company's cause. With the Capri, Ford II was able to visit dealers and suppliers in the UK in the 1980s. Therefore, a custom-made Capri was needed at that time.
Upon the car’s completion, it was delivered to Turbil Grange in Buckinghamshire, a rural residence in the Ford family. The car was returned to Danton in 1983 and retained ownership under the Ford family until Ron Meller, then head of product development for Ford, purchased it as his wife’s car.
The Carpi is set to be sold at the end of the seven-day online auction on the Car & Classic site, with an estimate of equivalent $35k-$49k. According to experts, should the car manage to achieve anything close to its higher estimate, it will be way over the value of this particular model. Hagerty values a 1981 Capri III 2.8i Coupe in 'concours' condition - meaning it is so pristine it could appear in a museum - at $35,000.
But as this is no normal Capri, the price can do just about anything considering the history behind it and having the driver’s name stamped on the front.
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