Corgi Vanguards 1/43rd VA15401 Ford Capri Mk2 3-litre Ghia Automatic, Sebring Red

The Mk1 Capri, advertised as ‘The Car You Always Promised Yourself’, was an enormous success for Ford with over 1.1 million produced. It was a fashionable halo car that generated showroom traffic and added motorsport glamour but was also profitable because it shared components with high-volume saloon cars. 

A Capri II development programme, known as Project Diana, was thus inevitable and when the new car emerged in February 1974, it retained the general coupé profile, the distinctive oval rear side window and the long-bonnet sports car feel, but was a less compromised machine. 

A hatchback tailgate replaced the boot lid and with folding rear seats, this intercontinental GT was as practical as it was stylish. The Capri modelled was purchased on May 24th ,1974, from Ford dealers Cowies of Sunderland by Mr B. Wake, who had it serviced meticulously and retained it until October 22nd, 1990, covering 53,000 miles.

He ordered the most expensive Ghia model, which featured black and silver alloy wheels, but saved £42 by deleting the power steering and £7.90 by not specifying wing mirrors. So he paid £3,109, including tax. 

In 2002, it was purchased by Essex-based Capri enthusiast Dave Eady who totally restored it in time to win best car at the Capri II Register’s National Day in 2007, an award it has won six times. Since late 2021, it’s been owned by long-standing Capri enthusiast, Shropshire-based Gordon Millington.