Ford Capri 280. Brooklands.

Ford Capri 280. Restoration project.  
A barn find ???  Well. not quite. But has not been on road for some eight years.  Unfortunately it's spent this time sat in poor storage. Which has taken its toll.  However. it's not by any means beyond it or a basket case. I've seen a hell of a lot worse 280's than this.  And that's the thing. It's a genuine 280. Not a reshell. Not a patched up snot box. In fact. it's never had any welding done to the underside. a-posts. inner wings etc etc etc. Does it need any ?????  Well. yes.  Of course. But to be fair it really is not that bad underneath.  I am a professional ford restoration specialist. Have restored a fair few of this model and many other capri's.  
I fully intended to carry out a nut and bolt restoration on this car. It's well worth the time and effort.  Because it's an original 280. only had four owners. Original bill of sale. service book. mot's. stacks of paperwork etc. It's all there.  Unfortunately other things and other projects. customers cars and just life in general mean it would be possibly years before I realistically get round to this one.  So. decided to let this one go to someone else.  
It runs. It drives. It's all there and correct. Original lsd. Original engine etc etc.  However. The viscous fan is missing. Can't run for long as it will get hot.  A bodged steering pipe has now blown so power steering belt removed ( it pumped fluid everywhere !! ).  
So. The body. The main thing.  This is a honest professional description of just what is needed.  Please read and understand. I don't want this car to sell and the winner to arrive and then pull out as "it's worse than I thought". Syndrome.  Sorry to genuine perspective bidders. But. we all know the story. It happens.  Both front wings. Poss repair offside ( personally would replace ). Nearside. Picture tells the story. Definatley replace.  Near side inner wing. turret. As in pictures this is quite bad. However. lower inner wing area is actually very good. I would use a full top section of inner wing from a donor car to repair this. ( Mark and Darren at escort Tec are the boys to help there ).  Offside inner wing. Turret repair. Wing rail repair.  Headlamp bowls. Poss repairs ( I would replace )Bonnet. Replace. It's rotten !!  Front panel. In fact it's very good. Been replaced before. Riveted to bottom so easy remove. blast clean and reuse.  Front chassis rails. Very very good. Can't see anything needed.  A-posts. Top section under scuttle where they go. No rust that I can see. Very good. Solid. Lower sections are behind the wings. I can't see them but from my experience usually require repairs or replacement. So maybe allow for this. ( I would )Front floor to lower bulkhead sections to both sides. Need repairs ( usual )Front floor stiffeners. Squashed by idiots with jacks !!  Usual. Replace. They are available.  Floors. Overall very good and solid. May need a few bits along lower edges ( inner sill flange area )Forward rear Spring hangers. Need repairs. ( panels are now available from various suppliers )Outer sills. Appear very good. May need minor repairs to rear areas.  Inner sills. Unsure as have not removed any interior trim.  Rear wheel arches. Will both need full replacement. Repairs will be needed to inner arches ( outer wheel tubs )Lower rear corners. Appear to be overall very good. Slight corrosion but new arches will take care of this.  Rear chassis legs. Appear solid and in good condition.  Rear lower valance. Rotten. Needs replacing.  Tailgate. Appears solid. Bit scabby. But will go again.  Doors. Very good with minor repair neede to lower rear corner on near side.  Roof. Rusted behind hard panel. As in picture. Repair ?  Yes. but make no mistake. Not an easy job. ( I would replace skin honestly )Again. Mark and Darren at escort Tec possibly help with this.  It will repair if you have the patience that being said.  
So. That is a 100% honest and accurate as I can description of the body. I've poked it about underneath and that's what I've found. It may sound bad but honestly. It is in all a solid good car where it counts. As I say. Not all nasty patches.  
Mechanical.  Ok. so it's not on the road. It's got no viscous and no power steering so I can't test drive it.  That said I have been just down the road. turn round and straight back.  The engine runs fine. Good oil pressure. However. It's a bit of a pig to start and takes a while before it revs. It's just flat initially. It has sat around for some eight years untouched I think.  It's all there. All gears work. Brakes work ( although will need realistically a full overhaul )It's got it's original LSD !The exhaust as you'd expect is knackered.  The tyres. Look great. Loads of tread. But. They are old.  All the electrics work. Even the heater blower !!!!  Both speeds. I'm amazed by this

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