{"id":23737,"date":"2011-11-16T19:27:57","date_gmt":"2011-11-16T19:27:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.influx.co.uk\/wordpress\/?p=23737"},"modified":"2022-06-22T12:33:45","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T11:33:45","slug":"modern-classic-ford-capri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adrianflux.co.uk\/influx\/features\/modern-classic-ford-capri\/","title":{"rendered":"Modern Classic: Ford Capri"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photography: Influx\/Magneto<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t afford a Mustang\u201d, says 26-year-old Capri owner Pete Wallwork from Truro, Cornwall. I had asked the bike mechanic, BMX rider, barber and photographer the obvious question. Why would a young gun be attracted to a Dagenham bred pastiche of American Muscle from the eighties?<\/p>\n

\u201cI am actually really into American muscle cars, but there\u2019s something unique about the Capri that is just as interesting, for me at least. There\u2019s nothing like it in terms of British cars. There\u2019s something about its shape, it\u2019s attitude that just appeals to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a young man, Pete has surprising experience of the hero of stylish blue-collar motoring. \u201cI bought my first Capri for \u00a3200 when I was 17. It was a 2.0 litre S and it was just rotting in someone\u2019s front garden so I took it off his hands.\u201d Like many young lovers of old cars, the lust for a particular flavour of steel and grease came through the family thread. \u201cMy granddad always had Fords, and was always tinkering away with bits and pieces in his yard. So it\u2019s not surprising that I would go for something like a Capri in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n

Pet\u2019s current ride, a 1986 Mk 3, has its own character in itself. Its various modifications and stylistic tweaks produce a suitably badass aspect. \u201c I\u2019ve never had so many people turn their heads and take notice. When I drive through town we get a lot of attention.\u201c<\/p>\n

The exhaust note probably has something to do with it. \u201cThe engine is actually a \u2018Pinto\u2019 two-litre bored out to 2.1. It\u2019s got twin 45 Webers and an upgraded \u2018beast\u2019 exhaust, too.\u201d The result of these wholly appropriate modifications is a car that sounds properly strong and heavy, rather than all mouth-no trousers bark.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n

\u201cShe drives really nicely, with the combination of the engine and the rear axle from a 2.8i\u201d. So what you see is genuine rarity in the big picture of British motoring. A mini GT that feels as if it\u2019s meant to be driven over long distances, with real enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n

And the styling of this car reflects the visceral nature of its guts. Flared arches, clean black paintjob and slot mags complete the picture perfectly. \u201cThe car was actually originally a laser in white,\u201d, Pete goes on, \u201c it came with the RS x-pack, factory produced fibreglass arches. They wed to the steel beautifully.\u201d That grille is from an earlier version of the car too,. Pete thinks it\u2019s from a late MK1, but can\u2019t be sure. Opinions anyone?<\/p>\n

But whatever the hotch-potch of the car\u2019s elements, it retains its pure bred DNA, that of a aspirational hang-dog, an Essex reared mongrel that pops its collar and never hides its light beneath a bushel. And that\u2019s why we like Pete\u2019s Capri.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\t\t