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...
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