"Inspired by the success of the Mustang ‘Pony Car’ in the USA, Ford introduced a new model in 1968 for the European market, the Capri, ‘the car you’ve always promised yourself’. The Capri’s imaginative fastback styling was a relatively new departure for Ford, but beneath the lovely body design it remained typically Ford, sharing engines, gearboxes and many other components with the rest of the Ford range. Engines available from the start of production in January 1969 consisted of Kent 1300cc and 1600cc inline four-cylinder units, soon followed by a Taunus two litre V4 and then from September 1969 a three litre Essex V6 engine for the Capri 3000 models, which were advertised as ‘the fastest production line cars ever sold by Ford in Britain’. Then there was a bewildering range of spec and trim levels from L to XLR, with the E the ‘Executive’ model, on offer. So, buyers needed to study the sales catalogue very carefully before placing an order.
This lovely 1971 Ford Capri 3000E Mk. I was purchased by the current owner in February 2004 while he was working for a specialist restoration company based in Hampton Hill, Middlesex. Over the years of ownership, he carried out restoration work which included repainting the car. The V6 Essex engine has been removed and totally rebuilt including reboring to 3.4 litre and stroked, the carburettors have been replaced with a pair of 38 DGAS split Webers. This car has been admired at the various classic car events it has attended, in 2014 and 2015 it was voted car of the weekend at the MSA Spring Classic events. Being sold due to the vendors ailing health, this lovely Capri has not been used since its last MoT test certificate in April 2017, but it has been regularly started and run and is ready to be use and enjoyed. With the Essex three litre V6 engine it is unsurprising that rare survivors such as the 3000E offered here are extremely sought after amongst collectors."