“Super Luxury, Super Performance” - The Ford Capri 3.0 Ghia Mk. II

My brother started my love for the Capri - he had a Mk. I.  My wife went on an internet search for an Mk. II Capri 3.0 Ghia seven years ago, as I'm not much good with computers, and after a few 'not quite what I was after' searches, she found this one. I spoke to the seller, arranged a viewing that night, and, following the deal, I went back the following day and drove it home. There were the odd things I knew weren't right about it, but most of them have now been corrected. I must say, it's lovely to be behind the wheel of a Capri again. This is my 3rd and final one.

Back in 1977, a Ford Capri Ghia, such as this splendid example owned by Michael Connell was an object of desire.  Little Chef customers were mesmerised by its vinyl roof, alloy wheels, push-button radio, tinted glass, remote control driver’s door mirror and sliding roof “with tilting device”. This was before they noticed the seats upholstered in the finest Verona cloth available to humanity, and the cabin decorated in genuine timber. The 3.0-litre version even boasted automatic transmission and power-assisted steering as standard.  

The original flagship Capri was the 3000E (‘Executive’) and, from 1972 onwards the GXL. Two years earlier, Ford acquired the Turin design house Carrozzeria Ghia in 1970, and by 1974, the shield logo adorned the top-of-the-range Capri and Granada. “Super Luxury, Super Performance”, boasted Ford, and your friendly local dealer would probably tell you a Capri 3.0 Ghia was a bargain compared with its rivals.

In late 1977, the Ford Capri 3.0 Ghia cost £5,088 in 1977, compared with £6,449 for the Reliant Scimitar GTE Automatic, with which it shared an ‘Essex’ V6 engine. The Opel Commodore GS/E Coupe was even more expensive at £7,043, while a last-of-the-line Triumph Stag ‘Hardtop’ Automatic was £7,331.  

The Capri Mk. III replaced the Mk. II in 1978, and Michael finds his Ghia very good to drive:

The engine is very smooth, a bit smoky; I suspect valve stem seals. The gearbox is very smooth up and down, but sometimes a bit slow to go in reverse. I've had the oil and filter changed, which has helped...

As for the reactions of the public:

I get lots of people looking, waving, and flashing lights, but it's in petrol stations that I get people coming up to talk about the car and their memories of Capris.

And of course, the Ford Capri Ghia 3.0 Mk. II became a television star. When ITV screened the first edition of The Professionals on the 30th of December 1977, CI5 favoured British Leyland cars. However, behind the scenes, Mark One Productions was not happy; they had already endured problems with BL during the filming of The New Avengers. Before long, Ford provided the motor pool, and William Bodie swapped his Triumph Dolomite Sprint for an Arizona Gold Capri 3.0, inspiring countless owners to copy the ‘Lewis Collin smirk’ when gazing in the rear-view mirror.

Not that Michael would ever indulge in such a practice. After all, he is the custodian of the Capri that would cut a dash outside any Berni Inn.

With thanks to Michael Connell for his time.

With thanks to Michael Connell for his permission to use the pictures in this blog.