Nigel Sheepwash’sCapri history

The first Capri’s I remember were in the road my Grandparents lived in. I must have been about three foot smaller (ok about seven years old ) and I recall walking round to my Grandparents and seeing two Mk1’s, In the mists of time I can’t recall their colours. but I do recall being mystified at the time as to why one had side vents and the other did not.

I then recall my daily trudge to school when I was about twelve and a certain snazzy little number. A car, which in today’s climate of political correctness could not possible be marketed. It was a JPS (midnight special). Not only that though, it was a white one! At the same time as this my grandparents road was home to a mk3 3ltr Ghia in oyster gold. Just like the one on the TV show which used to be shown at 9pm on a Friday night ,on LWT.

A couple of years whisked past and I was now 15, itching to get behind the wheel of my first car. Walking everywhere was my only transport, and if a car sales place happened to be on the way .there was no harm in looking (purely for my dad of coarse). The car I most remember was a red Xpack 3ltr. Boy did that car move in my imagination , the motivating we did together.

Well at 17, at last my own set of wheels . Was it a Capri I hear you say no ,it was a 1000cc, 4 door, mk1 escort which according to those with more experience i.e. dad was a nice runabout to build my no claims up with. When I started working driving to work I soon needed a new set of tyres. Sitting there waiting my turn in the garage in came a 2.8i Capri in white, wide smooth looking alloys, burbling exhaust and a lovely ½ leather interior. Bare in mind this was early 1988 so it was still a pretty new car. In hindsight I think that was the moment my fate was sealed: the first time that a Capri and lust both gripped me at the same time. My eyes must have now been wide open for them for I clearly remember them all around the place from that time on. My grandma’s home help, had a 2ltr Ghia in oyster gold. What is it with oyster gold and Ghia’s – could you only get them in that colour. A driving instructor in Borstal village had a burgundy Laser, which she actually taught in! still if her pupils could cope with that bonnet whilst they where learning they would be able to drive anything when they passed their tests.

There was even a white Capri outside Ray’s dinner at the top of bluebell hill. And how long has it been since that place was pulled down. It had a funny body kit on it. And the ford badges had been replaced with a set of wings. I own up : I saw this car every day for about a year and never realised what it was. I have owned 2 Capri’s in my driving carrier and for the most part they were used as my every dad drive, up until recently when my 2.8i special started to undergo some changes into the Bubble Bubble V8 that I have always dreamed about.