12 May 09
David Jason
(Keystone/Getty Images)
The famous one: Del Boy's Capri Ghia
If you thought the poor old Capri's reputation hadn't suffered enough with underpowered 1.3s and cringe-making Lasers, worse was to come when the Ford Capri 'starred' on primetime TV. No, we're not talking about The Professionals or even Minder, but Britain's favourite 80s sitcom, Only Fools and Horses.
Instead of a stealth-black Capri 2.8, Del Boy opted for a lime green vinyl-roofed atrocity that he referred to proudly as his 'Capree Ghia'. The damage was done. The Capri was finally as fashionable as the Capree's faux leopard skin interior.
Ford Capri 280
The last one of all: Ford Capri 280 'Brooklands' (1986)
By the time 1986 rolled around the Capri had dated badly, frequently embarrassing itself when squaring up to more modern competition. Ford knew the Capri's time has passed, preferring to spend its time in wind tunnels testing outrageous whale tails for a certain Sierra.
But at the last moment Ford decided to give the Capri a proper send-off. The last 500 Capris would be the fastest, most powerful and outrageous cars ever built. There was just one problem: it had enough body parts to make 1,000 Capris. The project lost momentum and the 500 idea was scrapped.
The last Capris to roll off the production were without turbos. They wore 'Capri 280' decals and were painted 'Brooklands' green - a colour that has a similar effect to performance car junkies as bromide does on prisoners.
