Beschreibung:

The Capri was a two-door coupé version of the Ford Classic saloon made by Ford of Britain. The Ford Classic was a result of four years of development with approval for the project given in autumn 1956. The styling of the car was the last project undertaken by Colin Neale before he left Dagenham for Dearborn. The initial design requirement was for the Ford Classic to be a full range model to take Ford into the new decade. Ford even developed a full-size estate prototype. The Capri Project was code named 'Sunbird' and took design elements from the Ford Thunderbird and the Ford Galaxie Sunliner. It was instigated by Sir Horace Denne, Ford's Sales Director. He wanted a 'co-respondent's' car to add glamour to the product line. It was designed by Charles Thompson who worked under Neale and had sweeping lines, a large boot space and a pillarless coupé roof. In its September announcement the Consul Capri was for export only but went on sale to the domestic British market in January 1962. The bodies were sub-assembled by Pressed Steel Fisher with only final assembly taking place at Dagenham in Essex. It was intended as part of the Ford Classic range of cars but the body was complex and expensive to produce. With new production methods, time demands from Dearborn and a need to match opposition manufacturers in price, the Ford Classic and Consul Capri were almost doomed from the start. The Ford Classic was made from 1961 to 1963, and replaced by the Cortina-derived Ford Corsair. This rare lefthand drive 1963 Ford Consul Capri is completely original with only two owners from new; the first owner purchased the car in Oregon, USA and took the car with him when he moved to California. It was then acquired by the vendor's son, who lives in California, a few years ago who used the Capri as an everyday motor car. It is completely rust free and has only recently been shipped back to the United Kingdom. The paintwork, finished in blue, is in very good condition with the exception of a few small chips around the doors. The matching blue interior does require some attention and the vendor has managed to find some replacement door cards. This Ford Consul Capri is supplied with a V5C registration document, an MoT test certificate which expires in May 2013 and some of the United States title documents. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a car of limited production which shows how the British designers were influenced by America in the early 1960's.