Ford Capri Mk3 with ST170 engine 185 bhp. Professional conversion. 2.8i interior

This 1982 Blue Capri has been the subject of an extensive restoration. during which the engine & gearbox and all running gear were removed. the interior stripped out. new wings and rear arches fitted and the car then bare metalled before being resprayed inside and out and underneath. in the engine bay & boot and under the bonnet in Fiat Blue.

The panels are ripple free. the doors & wings and rear quarters all lining up beautifully. the doors & tailgate shuts are excellent.

The car has a double pin stripe applied down both sides at half height. which emphasises the low. sleek look.

The suspension was uprated to Capri 2. 8i standard with single leaf rear springs & new dampers. polyurethane bushes. rear antiroll bar. new front springs and dampers and front poly bushes.

A 5 speed gearbox replaced the original 4 speed.

The 2 piece balanced propshaft with centre bearing transmits the power to the 3. 44 ratio diff which is quiet in operation.

The car is fitted with a reconditioned power steering rack and belt driven Focus pump. fed with ATF fluid from a remote reservoir.

The car chassis and floor and sills are perfect and are spray painted body colour.

The inner wings are also in excellent condition with the front inner wing spray guards still present.  

The brakes have been uprated with drilled & grooved front discs and new pads; at the rear new drums. shoes & cylinders have all been fitted.

The car sits on 15inch Superlite alloys with polished rims and 195 / 50 tyres. The spare is a standard Ford steel wheel.

A full set of Ford mud flaps have been fitted. together with a rear spoiler. clear front indicator lenses and the Capri Mk 2 front grille.

The bumpers are new O. S. repainted and complete with overiders. New number plates have been fitted.

The ST170 engine installation is to Chester Sportscars' usual professional high standard.

The reconditioned Focus 2 ltr 16 v engine was stripped down to the last nut & bolt. then rebuilt with new main & big end shells. the cylinder head was re-faced and the valves reground. a new head gasket & bolts fitted . new timing belt kit & pulleys and new plugs. coil pack & plug leads.

It was then fitted with all the best equipment and ancilliaries; a lightweight flywheel. heavy duty clutch. Retro Ford baffled RWD sump. Retro Ford water rail and colour coded cam cover.

Fueling is handled by Mikuni 38 mm choke 'bike carbs fitted onto a port matched ST170 inlet manifold. a new Facet electric fuel pump & pressure regulator transfer petrol from the standard Capri tank.

Ramair filters prevent dust and particles from being sucked into the engine although the induction noise on hard acceleration is still very pleasent.

The battery is fitted neatly into the boot and fires up the engine instantly; there is a new starter motor and heavy duty reconditioned alternator.

Exhaust gases are carried away by the Ashley 4-2-1 swept manifold. coupled to a custom 2. 5 inch "Longlife" stainless steel exhaust with twin silencers.

Ignition is reliably and accurately controlled by a Nodiz programmable ignition unit and Variable Valve Timing Controller.

The radiator has been recored and cooling is assisted by a new 12 inch curved blade electric fan.

New Silicon hoses and a stainless steel cross pipe are fitted between the engine & radiator and heater matrix ; the pipework design and layout avoids the need for an expansion tank keeping the engine bay neat & uncluttered.

The interior is in excellent order. The heater matrix and 2 speed heater motor have both been renewed . giving good windscreen demisting and  keeping the occupants warm.

A new black headlining has been fitted with matching sun visors; there is no sun roof fitted ( often a source of rain leaks ).

The original L trim has been replaced with a full set of door cards & trim panels from the 2. 8 Capri.

These include "Recaro" front reclining 2 tone seats with matching split folding rear seats.

The original carpet is clean and dry with new fitted over-mats.

The dash top is unmarked and crack free.  

All the 6 instruments read as expected. the Mk3 dash layout is particularly pleasing to the eye.

The original radio with tape deck functions perfectly. playing through all its speakers. although the ariel will not extend.

The original Ford single key fits all the doors. boot lid & ignition. A locking fuel cap is fitted with its own key.

There are inertia reel seat belts fitted front & rear. all in very good condition.

The rear parcel shelf is also in good condition. a boot mat is fitted and the tailgate has had replacement struts fitted and a rear spoiler. The original jack & wheel nut brace are secured under the boot floor.

The heated rear window is fully functioning and the glass is scratch free; new wiper blades have been fitted.

The original Vin plate & Ford Factory Build plates are still fitted to the front slam panel.

It's a comfortable. modern. attractive cruiser with as much power on tap as you could desire.

The modern 16v ST170 engine produces lots of power - 185 bhp . reving freely to 7. 00 rpm while the Variable Cam Timing gives excellent mid range torque and effortless driving.

But does this extra power mean poor fuel economy ? Definitely not !

After the engine was fitted. a Rolling Road set up and fine tune ensured the mixture was correct. compliant with the MOT Test Regs. . and the car wil sit in traffic and tickover smoothly all day while still returning 42 mpg on a long run.

However. the modern motor does not look out of place in the engine bay. the alternator and power steering drive belt run is typically Ford and no modifications were made to either the bulkhead or inner wings or crossmember to fit the replacement engine. which would allow the car to be put back to "original " if desired.

Thousands was spent restoring this car. with thousands more laid out on the engine upgrade. gearing. suspension and paintwork.

The shell and chassis are one of the best we have seen for years. The Asking Price is £ 9. 50.

Any inspection is invited and a Test Drive can be arranged by appointment.

Telephone us on 01244 822244 Office hours. Mobile 079260 35055 or e mail graham@chestersportscars. co. uk

Thanks for looking and I hope you see what you want .

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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