Friday 23rd October 2020

942-mile Ford Capri 280 Brooklands for sale

A Capri with fewer than 10,000 miles would be notable; one with less than 1,000 miles must be unheard of

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Nowadays it's pretty hard to be stunned by a classic car discovery. After all, we've had many well publicised years now of this being found in a barn, that turning up in rented garage, something else discovered at the end of the garden. However, as this particular car proves, one or two surprises are still out there...

It's a Capri 280 Brooklands, the well-known (and well liked) run out special for Ford's legendary coupe. Nothing special there, really, given plenty were sold and many remain - this is one three such cars currently for sale on PH, all of course now comfortably more than 30 years old. No, this particular Capri warrants attention for the simple fact that it's accrued only 942 miles since 1987. Evened out, that's 28 miles across each of its 33 years on earth. A runway model must cover that annually at work.

It's a fairly pristine example then, the only defect apparently being inner wing discolouration (attributed to a battery leak) and a couple of paint imperfections. The interior is also almost factory fresh, which is some achievement; as the advert suggests Capri interiors "tend to show signs of wear quite quickly", whereas this one is good as gold bar some driver seat bolster wear.

Beyond the incredible mileage, the Brooklands is notable for its originality - this is a proper 1987 time capsule. It's being supplied on its original tyres (!) plus an unused spare, the dealer sticker in the rear window, the order form and credit agreement plus its first tax disc that kept it legal until March 1988. For fans of the Capri, the era and obsessive originality - plenty for all three certainly exist - this is quite the opportunity. Look at that tyre tread!

Now, once in a lifetime opportunities (the good ones at least) don't come cheap, and that's the case here: £64,995 is the asking price, with apologies for any hot beverage just splurted onto screens. Even allowing for inflation, the 280's brand new price of £12k would only be £35,000 in today's money. So it still looks a lot, even allowing for the rarity of the condition. But it's almost impossible to be rational in a situation like this; so long after production ended yet with so much love still surrounding the car, the chance to buy a Capri 280 as close to new as it's possible to get would surely be a dream come true for a lifelong fast Ford fan. Therefore although sensible money would be directed towards one with a few more miles, Capri collectors - or even just classic collectors - need look no further. Wonder what'll be unearthed next...

[Quhet]

It's a shame it won't ever be driven.

[rjfp1962]

Quhet said:

It's a shame it won't ever be driven.

Agreed. Will be bought buy a collector - Maybe put in a museum.

[Honeywell]

I'm actually tempted by that.

[DoctorX]

Less than twice the inflation-adjusted price and given its condition, rarity and age, it doesn't seem that bad, does it? Lovely car.

[J4CKO]

God that looks good, a lot of older cars the proportions look a bit weird and the wheels too close together with over long overhangs but the Capri still looks really well proportioned and despite being not overly fixated on the past and all new cars looking st, does make me wonder where it all went a bit wrong seeing that. Its so simple, crisp and purposeful.

Wonder what 34 years later, the original buyers of these would be looking at if transported to 2020 and presented with that 35 grand to buy an equivalent ?

[sharkattack]

What a tragedy. How many powderslides has this poor car missed out on?

[OGR4M]

Just as well it’s under 1,000 miles, otherwise it would be featured in ‘high mile club’ instead

[Midgster]

With less than 1000 miles, how on earth can it have some bolster wear on the driver's seat?

Even if it was just driven 1 mile each time, that still only equates to getting in and out once a day for 3 years!

Something a miss there I feel.

[varsas]

Synopsis said:

A Capri with fewer than 10,000 miles would be notable; one with *less than 1,000 miles must be unheard of

It should be 'fewer', you had it right the first time. If you didn't want to re use the 'fewer than' phrase again 'under' would have been acceptable.

Edited by varsas on Friday 23 October 12:47

[AdamV12AMR]

J4CKO said:

Wonder what 34 years later, the original buyers of these would be looking at if transported to 2020 and presented with that 35 grand to buy an equivalent ?

If think if the original buyers were transported to the stshow that is 2020, I think they'd tell you to keep your £35k and take them back to 1987 immediately!

[Mr MXT]

“Some drivers seat bolster wear”

At 942 miles?

[Limpet]

Lovely thing. It's always a bit of a shame in my view that the only thing anyone will ever be able to do with these ultra low mileage timewarp examples is look at them. They can never be used.

[TheAnimal]

Quhet said:

It's a shame it won't ever be driven.

It’ll be a miracle if the engine actually turns over!

[5 In a Row]

Mr MXT said:

“Some drivers seat bolster wear”

At 942 miles?

Sure, why not?
The owner probably went into his heated garage regularly and sat in the car making 'broom broom' noises, wiggling the steering wheel and changing gear....

[varsas]

In Classic Cars this month there is an interesting group test that includes the Capri, and then an interview which talks about how it was marketed. The car does seem like a bargain in period for the performance it offered.

[redroadster]

It's been clocked.

[Rich Boy Spanner]

The design is sublime, love the silhouette of the Capri.

[Limpet]

varsas said:

In Classic Cars this month there is an interesting group test that includes the Capri, and then an interview which talks about how it was marketed. The car does seem like a bargain in period for the performance it offered.

I remember the 2.8i model having a 0-60 time starting with a 7, which stood out for the money in the early 80s.

[MX-6]

Looks in lovely nick, it should make it to a museum somewhere, Beaulieu say. As ever I'd much rather a grubby old high miler that's been rebuild a few times, one that I could modify, thrash about about in and not feel too precious about.

[phast]

I've just bought a lottery ticket, if I win I'll buy it and I WILL use it.