1974 Ford Capri II 3000GT - ex-Silverstone Doctor's car

Five years after the launch of the original Capri, in 1974, Ford decided to introduce a practical element to their market-leading Capri. The original car is well known as being influenced by the iconic Mustang, but interestingly for the new 1973 Mustang II, Dearborn had a good look at what their European division was doing with their Capri II which was being developed at the same time. Similar outcomes in many respects, with both being somewhat overshadowed by the originals, however, of the two very different cars, the Capri II was arguably the better. The design brief was to improve the boot access and space, and resolve the poor rearward visibility, and the new 'Hatchback' design was bang-on-trend. Apart from the Reliant Scimitar, no other sports coupé combined the folding seat and rear hatch combination. Around 150 changes separated the original and Capri II, but the engines and much of the running gear and chassis design were carried over.

Prior to the arrival of the 3000 Ghia and much later the JPS, the 3000GT was the top of the Capri II range. Powered by a 2,993cc V6 generating 138bhp and 174lb/ft it was quick and, with independent coil springs, telescopic dampers, MacPherson struts, an anti-roll bar and rack and pinion steering, it handled really well.

Never known to miss a marketing opportunity, Ford UK decided that it would be advantageous if their new 3000GT could be seen by as many people as possible in the right environment, so the decision was made to gift one of the early cars to Silverstone Circuits Ltd to be used as the circuit's first 'Flying Doctor' Medical Car. Finished in Daytona Yellow with a black vinyl roof and sporting their new Mk 3S alloys, the Capri certainly looked the part, particularly when sign-written with Silverstone Resuscitation Unit down each side. It was in use until the early 1980s and must have been seen by millions of people

The car was subsequently enjoyed by two further owners before being purchased by our vendor, Brian Pallett, in March 2013. Brian is a friend of Silverstone Auctions and was the circuit manager of Silverstone for many years. We understand that the car has been repainted in its original Daytona Yellow and has been regularly serviced and kept garaged.

As an interesting aside, PTW 473M had a minor action role in the 2018 film 'Yardie'  directed by Idris Elba. The film is set in London in 1983 and the car can be seen outside a rather seedy Turkish Social Club.

What a great opportunity to own a piece of Silverstone Circuit history.