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1978 Ford Capri MKII 2.0 GL

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  • Mileage~22,786 on clock
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual
  • Engine2.0-litre
  • LocationSwadlincote

AUCTION CLOSED

1978 Ford Capri MKII 2.0 GL

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Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Editor and Photographer

An everyday classic with compact style and practicality, the Capri is a fun and easy drive.

The Capri became an instant hit when first launched at the tail end of the 1960s, fashionable, stylish and chic - Ford made the car accessible for those with different budgets. Ford was amongst the first to kick-start the compact coupe market in Europe, and by the time the facelifted 3-door hatchback MK2 arrived in early 1974, almost every manufacturer marketed a 4-seater coupe.

The restyle added further practicality, improved visibility and offered better luggage accommodation, and the interior placed more emphasis on ergonomics and comfort. Powered by a wide variety of engines, the 2.0-litre option was considered the best option for those seeking performance with economy, with the typical ease of maintenance and modestly priced parts. Placed in the middle of the Capri pecking order, the car offered folding divided rear seats, a centre console with clock and wood finish trim. The exterior is finished with a waist strip with rubber insert, a heated rear window and steel sports wheels.

A late example of a German-built MK2 Capri, this manual 2.0 GL is finished in 'Jupiter Red' with black cloth upholstery. One of a collection of classic Fords being auctioned by us here at Trade Classics - this solid example has only had two previous registered keepers.

In need of a light mechanical and cosmetic recommissioning, it comes with two keys and is MOT and road tax-exempt.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Dave the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I only went in to buy one car, but ended up with a whole collection!

Dave is absolutely a petrol head, there is no denying that - his choice of cars range from a collection of "Fast Fords" spanning five decades, to modern supercars like Lamborghini Aventadors and luxury Rolls-Royces.

Dave is thinning down his collection now, and as the classics get much less use, they are coming to market for the first time in a long time. We've already sold a stunning 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth for him and now moving on to other Fords in his collection that will be coming to market this year.

This particular car was acquired by Dave ~3 years ago and really hasn't seen much use, so it's the next in line for a new home.

Dave will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Dave
Vehicle Owner

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CONTACT OWNER

Exterior

A solid structure with a pleasing finish, the car would benefit from some cosmetic attention to make it really good.

Wheels and Tyres

The 13” steel sports wheels are presentable, with just some mild signs of age in places. The black detailing has been hand-painted and their chrome ring trims are in good shape.

The front and rear of the car are fitted with Falken tyres, showing a spec of 175/65 and are date-coded from 2015. They have plenty of legal tread with minimal wear.

Please take a look at the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior of the Capri and a closer look at the wheels and tyres to make your own assessment of their condition.

Bodywork

The exterior metalwork presents well, the panel fit is flush to the body, and we didn’t spot any significant dents. All doors open and close with ease, although the passenger door has visible corrosion near the top hinge.

The car has under-paint blister imperfections on most of the panels - the roof, bonnet edge, tops of the C-pillar, front/rear wings and some lower panels so the most. None of the blisters are currently exposed.

Corrosion was noted on the driver's side door well, close to the top of the front hinge and on the offside front wing.

The underside of the car looks solid, while coated in inhibitor, the sills, floor pan and wheel wells appear to be in good shape. The engine bay, boot floor, and suspension mounts are clean.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The 'Jupiter Red' finish has a consistent coverage, with a few light patches in certain areas.

The lustre shows mild swirls in the sunlight, but aside from a mild scuff on the offside rear arch, the body has minimal chips or surface marks.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good shape. Both the windscreen and hatchback rubber seals show mild signs of age with some wear on their trim finishers. The lights and lenses are in good shape, although the nearside headlamp unit had condensation.

The trim is complete and presentable.

The bumper chrome just has some light pitting.

Interior

Presented with a very original cabin, there are a few imperfections, but it has worn its years well.

Seats and Carpets

The black fabric seats are a bit baggy, and the tops of the rear and passenger seats have split, and the vinyl shows signs of age.

The carpets and mats are in good shape, with some mild wear.

The boot trim and carpet are in good condition.

All were bone dry.

Dashboard

Aside from a fracture on the corner of the binnacle padding on the passenger side, the dashboard is in good shape, with a clean facia and decent switches. There is some wear below the ashtray. The centre console is in good order. All of the dials are legible.

The headlining, door cards and interior trim are in good condition, although some of the door card finisher trim has aged.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel and gear lever are in good condition.

Mechanics

It has seen a light recommission in the past decade, and would need a little more attention and a good run to get back on its feet.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine was a little reluctant to catch after an immediate start, stalling after a blip of the accelerator. This might suggest a fuel delivery system or blockage. Once running, there were no knocks or bangs from the engine, and the exhaust remained smoke-free throughout the visit. The engine was left to run for 5 minutes before the drive, and it didn’t stall. Once warmed up, the engine ran smoothly with no hesitation or splutters.

The 2.0-litre engine presents well, considering its lack of recent use. Some components show signs of age, and it would be advisable for the next owner to go through the car's electrics and mechanics to ensure usability. The Capri was leak-free on the day.

Fitted with a 4-speed manual gearbox, typically for a Ford of this era, the gear change was smooth and had a good feel.

No issues were reported with the clutch.

Suspension and Brakes

The ride was predictable and surefooted, free of any unwanted noises at lower speeds. It absorbs the ruts and bumps with no issues. The suspension was mildly lowered in 2016.

The car brakes without any problems, free of squeals or grinding.

The Drive

The 2.0-litre Pinto block offers a blend of power and economy, earning a reputation as a reliable and low-cost unit. Used across the Ford range, it was popular in its use in motorsports and also common across many Fords of this era.

The car ran well after its initial reluctance to idle, and the 10-minute drive did much to improve the running of the car; we didn’t experience any issues with the engine for the rest of the day. It was repeatedly started as we repositioned it to photograph the car, and it fired up straight away every time with no issues.

The engine became smoother and quieter as we made progress at around 40 mph; the engine pulled well with no unwanted noises. It cruised evenly along the road, absorbing the surface with no unwanted noises or thuds. The steering remained true when braking, and there were no wobbles or vibrations during the drive.

The engine temperature remained in check during the drive, and the owner has not reported any issues in terms of the oil pressure.

Electrics and Other

We didn't test all of the dashboard functions, but of course they were operational the last time the car was MOT'd.

History and Paperwork

It retains its original booklets and has just ~22,786 miles on the clock.

First registered in February 1978 by main Ford dealer E.Ward of Wellingborough, this car is one of the last MK2 Capris to have been registered. Believed to have been used sparingly until 1993, it was then placed into dry storage until 2008 and has only covered around 2,000 miles since.

It was subject to an MOT and recommissioning, including a new water pump and service in 2015. Further mechanical work was carried out, including new front brake discs and pads. In addition, the tensioner pulley assembly and timing belts were replaced, along with some engine tuning, following a session on the rolling road. It has covered around ~500 miles since its last service. It comes with two keys, its V5 and a folder of recent invoices and a couple of MOTs, and is MOT and road tax-exempt.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
03-03-2016 Service
29-02-2016 MOT 22,137
19-11-2014 MOT 21,610
04-05-2013 MOT 21,595
17-09-2009 MOT 21,567
07-08-2008 MOT 21,556
06-07-1992 MOT 20,828
Key Details
  • ModelCapri MKII 2.0 GL
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date01-02-1978
  • CC1993
  • Mileage~22,786 on clock
  • HistorySince 2015
  • ColourJupiter Red
  • Interior ColourBlack
  • Interior TrimCloth
  • Chassis #GAECTE04940
  • Engine #TE04940
  • MOTLast Expired: 28-02-2017
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes - All Clear
  • Former Keepers2
  • Tyre BrandFalken
  • Tyre Age2015
  • # of Keys2
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~3 Years
  • Key FeatureOriginal Car
  • Vehicle RegistrationXRP 3S
  • Fuel TypePetrol
  • Body Type3 door coupe
  • Auction ID3132






Auction Closed

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