1987 Ford Capri 2.8 Tickford Turbo

Arguably the brainchild of ex-Lotus F1 driver, John Miles, the Ford Capri Tickford Turbo was unveiled in prototype guise at the 1982 Birmingham Motor Show. Developed by Aston Martin Tickford Ltd (the famous Newport Pagnell manufacturer's special projects wing), the newcomer was based on a standard MKIII Capri 2.8 Injection. Visually distinguished by the lift-reducing GRP mouldings on the nose, flanks and tail, the fixed-head was credited with a 0.37 drag coefficient. Reworked with the addition of an IHI turbocharger and Garrett intercooler, its 2,792cc Cologne V6 drove the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Upgraded with four-wheel disc brakes, the muscular 2+2 coupé also benefited from power-assisted rack and pinion steering and A-frame reinforced rear suspension. Credited with 205bhp and 260lbft of torque, the high-performance model was capable of 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds and 139.8mph. Priced at an immodest £14,985, it came with Recaro front seats and a leather-topped walnut dashboard as standard. The plan was to reconfigure 250 examples and an initial batch of 100 Injection Capris was purchased from Ford, however, at some 200 man-hours per conversion, the cars proved expensive to build and expensive to sell. Ultimately just 85 or so were completed originally although it's understood that the final 15 were finished a little later.

Received by its first owner, a Mr David Sutton of Macclesfield, on the 13th of September 1987, E730 JKV was finished in a special order Graphite Grey Metallic with a Burgundy Leather interior. Within the history file is a well-documented chain of communication from Tickfords to Mr Sutton detailing special requests and options culminating in a total invoice of £20,300 (4 times the cost of a the standard Capri at the time). Listed as number 100 of 100, this is the final production Tickford although three others were built afterwards with clients bringing in their own cars to be converted. The car was optioned with a grey lambswool headlining, re-shaped sun visors covered in the same Burgundy Leather, Stainless Steel Exhaust, twin-dip headlights, Tickford number 100 on the front grille and a Tickford enamel badge on the boot. Mr Sutton enjoyed the car up until 2003 when it was purchased by its second owner who likewise cherished the car up until 2015 when the current custodian became its proud owner.

Whilst with its first owner, the engine was totally rebuilt at 84,000 miles along with the gearbox, overseen by Tickford with all the work fully documented. The car comes with two service books fully stamped and an in-depth history file with many invoices from Tickfords. The provenance with this car is second to none and shows just how this car has been loved by its three keepers. Within the file is also photographic evidence of a full body restoration by the second owner which is now some 15 years old, however the car still looks great today. The car has not long had a full service and has an MOT until March next year. Being number 100 and the last car built it is very special and will grace any collection.