Perhaps Bodie and Doyle from the TV hit series The Professionals was largely responsible for making the Ford Capri look so cool! Although the Ford Capri went into production in 1968, it’s most up to date version, the MK 3, came into fruition in the 1980’s and was the best looking version of this beautiful car. (I realise Beauty is in the eye of the beholder) Its amazing what a set of twin headlights can do for a car, previous versions had oversized single square headlights that no flying insect could escape. However, it was the elongated Bonnet of the car that often left people wondering if the driver was trying to compensate for something, not the massive headlights as displayed on the MK 1 and 2’s. The Ford Capri was designed by Philip T Clarke, he’s the same person who introduced the world to the iconic American muscle car, the Ford Mustang. Since 1968, and right up to the final car that rolled off the production line, a total of 1.9 Million units were sold. In 1998 Ford produced a very special and final version of the Ford Capri, the Brooklands 280. A total of 1038 models of the 280 were made. As you can image, not many of the 280’s exist today, this is no doubt partly due to young drivers trying to mimic Bodie and Doyles driving. (I tend to be blaming Bodie and Doyle for everything, but remember, my comments are based on facts! Did you know that Martin Shaw who played the character of Doyle invented perms for men) One can only describe this type of driving today as anti-social and menacing, but back in the 80’s, being able to perform a hand break skids or wheel spin sideways was an accepted part of the race boys mating ritual. Thanks to the race boys writing off countless Ford Capris, values of the Capri, especially the Brooklands 280 has seen values soar to dizzy heights! The very last 280 was registered on 20 November 1989, I wonder if that person eventually sold it on and is now kicking themselves?