1987 Ford Capri Reviews

Nothing has gone wrong with it since new in 14 YEARS (apart from the usual things like battery, tyres (one set) and exhaust (one pair of stainless steel replacements))!

Has to be the most reliable car I have ever owned, as I have had it from new I have taken a great deal of care of it in 14 years.

Nothing is worn and everything is still concourse condition, makes the new plastic cars look very cheap and badly made! Insured now for more than it cost new!!

The car goes far quicker than I have been able to get it to, so I will never know its top speed (or want to) - had it to the end of the speedo (130) and it was certainly NOT flat out. Handling can be a bit quirky, but if you drive it long enough it is easy to look after and very predictable, UNLIKE front wheel drives. With Bilsteins all round it handles very quickly and safely if you have the bottle.

The car is getting on in years and a few things have gone wrong.

An intermittent fault with the ECU which made the engine cut out, cured by replacing with a new one.

Seized front near-side brake caliper. Gave me the impetus to upgrade to four-pot calipers. (This is necessary as the standard Capri brakes are woefully inadequate)

Both cylinder head gaskets.

Temperature gauge sender unit.

Electric aerial needed replacing (My local Ford dealership supplied and fitted a new electric aerial but wired it up incorrectly which meant the battery drained overnight. They also couldn't locate their mistake, but an Auto-Electric specialist found it in 30 minutes).

I've fitted a K&N air filter and a Janspeed fast road manifold and exhaust system as the only performance mods to this car. The sound is fantastic, from the deep rumble when idling to the roar under acceleration.

Although the engine doesn't produce massive power (160 BHP as standard) the car performs well above 3000 RPM, acceleration being quite rapid for a big car.

However, it is the handling that pleases the most. Its easy to push the tail out (too easy in the wet :-) not everyone's cup of tea but great fun for me, the steering is precise, and the driving position is good.

For all its faults I forgive the Brooklands because its such a fun, characterful and exclusive car to own.