1979 Ford Capri S review from UK and Ireland

Hard to believe now, but I paid £50 for this car in 1994 with 6 months MOT on it. All black with black vinyl roof and original Wolfrace alloys.

Rust had really taken a hold, but looking back it could have been fixed. Rear arches were rotten as were both front inner wing rails. The underside was solid strangely enough.

Some oil burning, typical of an ageing Pinto.

Gearbox had unusual external rod linkages; one of these came adrift - quick fix with a cable tie.

It was a bit thirsty, but then anything with a 2.0 pinto in is going to be.

I never felt it had the go to back up its looks, but the Recaro seats were very supportive and it could hustle on OK if you pushed it, about 110mph.

No back legroom, poor bootspace; hardly the cars fault, you don't buy a Capri for either of these.

The usual Capri trait of a loose back end when cornering in the wet was present and correct, not quite as bad as with the V6 models though - dry cornering was very good.

Suspension was rock hard, good cornering, but a bumpy ride.

I wish I had kept this and restored it.