1972 Ford Capri Mk1 3000E

In September 1969, the 3000GT was introduced to the UK Capri range powered by the legendary Essex V6 generating 138bhp. The range continued to be broadened, with another 3.0-litre variant, the 3000E (Executive), introduced from the British plant in March 1970, offering a unique pleated interior and padded dash accents, leather wrapped alloy-spoke sports wheel, opening rear windows, heated rear window, driving lamps, custom rear finisher panel, vinyl top, sports road wheels, and much more. Although the 3000GT was seen as the most sporty model, the almost equally powerful 3000E (126bhp) with its impressive specification became the most aspirational of the entire range.

Direct from the Sears family, this rare Capri is an important part of a motorsport dynasty. For many, Jack Sears will be remembered as the first British Saloon Car champion back in 1958. ‘Gentleman Jack’, as he was known, followed his father’s passion for cars and started competing with the Veteran Car Club in the 1950s. He then built his reputation in Lister sports cars, but really came to prominence when he won the inaugural British Saloon Car title after an end-of-season shoot-out with Tommy Sopwith at Brands Hatch. Five years later he won the title for a second time, this time driving a mighty 7-litre Ford Galaxie in some of the races in a move that ended the reign of the Jaguar Mk2.

The Capri 3000E offered here was purchased new by Jack Sears from Frank Dye Ltd, Ford Main Dealer, Watton, Norfolk, finished in Evergreen Metallic with an Olive interior, black vinyl roof, and manual gearbox. It remained his personal transport for just over 100,000 miles before being cared for by his daughter since 2016. The history file contains multiple MOTs back to 1977 corroborating the indicated mileage of 103,149. It's fitted with a replacement Weber 38 DGAS carburettor as per the early Essex-engined Capris, and recent attention includes new brake parts front and rear, all ignition parts, track control bushes, new exhaust manifolds, fuel and water pumps, and fresh oil and filter. It's supplied with its dealer-fitted Eight-track stereo, a case of period tapes, and its driver’s manual.

This lovely original Capri 3000E has the cachet of being part of a fantastic motorsport back story, a faultless timeline, and is featured in James Taylor's book, Factory-Original Ford Capri Mk1.