Professionals Capris

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Discussion

Harry Rule

Original Poster:

185 posts

48 months

Tuesday 11th July 2023
quotequote all
I couldn't see a thread on this, so following on from the Wow Expensive thread I thought I'd post this up.

The two Capris used in series three and four of the Professionals are up for sale at Silverstone Auctions on 26th August. Both cars are being sold as a single lot and the, estimate is £200-230,000 yikes


Doofus

28,469 posts

180 months

Tuesday 11th July 2023
quotequote all
If I had £250k spare for a garage trophy, I'd be all over these.

Harry Rule

Original Poster:

185 posts

48 months

Tuesday 11th July 2023
quotequote all
Doofus said:
If I had £250k spare for a garage trophy, I'd be all over these.
With their obviously immaculate original condition and history, there's part of me that thinks the same.

There's also part of me that fears I'd be disappointed by them.

I had a 3.0 Ghia which I sold 30 odd years ago and I've never driven a Capri since, I suspect that my fond memories of that car are helped along by heavily rose tinted specs.

bongtom

2,018 posts

90 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Their other one from earlier sold for £55k in 2016.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-3...

If I had the money I would buy both. And the Jensen.

EddyP

855 posts

227 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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A pal of mine is storing these and prepping them for the auction, they are immaculate! The Jensen in his and for sale too, again mint, it's just had a full restoration too.

Pistom

5,577 posts

166 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
I wonder where their value would be in 20 years time, when a lot of those who watched the program will be getting on a bit if not dead.

It would be nice to own a piece of history like this now but I think the interest in them will get less as the decades pass.



Doofus

28,469 posts

180 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Pistom said:
I wonder where their value would be in 20 years time, when a lot of those who watched the program will be getting on a bit if not dead.

It would be nice to own a piece of history like this now but I think the interest in them will get less as the decades pass.
I wouldn't expect them to have any real investment value, but I'd still be there with my hand in the air.

Purosangue

1,133 posts

20 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
bongtom said:
Their other one from earlier sold for £55k in 2016.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-3...

If I had the money I would buy both. And the Jensen.
yes that was the swanage car that ended up like most of these cars in Ireland

Turbobanana

6,740 posts

208 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Harry Rule said:
I had a 3.0 Ghia which I sold 30 odd years ago and I've never driven a Capri since, I suspect that my fond memories of that car are helped along by heavily rose tinted specs.
While you're undoubtedly right, this is not the point. These are ultimately just elaborate items of TV memorabilia that happen to be functioning cars. They'll probably rock up at the odd show but most likely won't ever again be driven in the way they were (ie sideways, clattering through piles of empty boxes and in pursuit of a Dolomite or Jaaaaag).

Would be amusing if they ever made a movie of The Professionals, though scratchchin

WPA

10,158 posts

121 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Both are genuine cars from the series and had false W plates for TV, Silver car has been heavily restored.

I struggle to see the value in them if I am honest




aeropilot

36,580 posts

234 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Harry Rule said:
With their obviously immaculate original condition and history, there's part of me that thinks the same.

There's also part of me that fears I'd be disappointed by them.

I had a 3.0 Ghia which I sold 30 odd years ago and I've never driven a Capri since, I suspect that my fond memories of that car are helped along by heavily rose tinted specs.
It does happen.
I've known someone go back to a fondly remembered car of their past and hated it, and quickly sold it on again, largely as they hadn't driven a car from that era for so long and had gotten to used to modern insulated from whats going current cars.....and simply couldn't adjust the brain back to 1970's or early 80's driving.

Others do it and love it, and quite easily adapt back to soak up the nostalgia and experience of their youth smile


Pistom

5,577 posts

166 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Doofus said:
Pistom said:
I wonder where their value would be in 20 years time, when a lot of those who watched the program will be getting on a bit if not dead.

It would be nice to own a piece of history like this now but I think the interest in them will get less as the decades pass.
I wouldn't expect them to have any real investment value, but I'd still be there with my hand in the air.
Great viewpoint - I'm with you!!!

austina35

365 posts

59 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Yet more overpriced junk. These Fords were poor back in the day when they were new and nothing has changed.

For that sort of money, or any amount spent on these silly cars these days, you can do alot better and buy something with a bit more class.

aeropilot

36,580 posts

234 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
austina35 said:
For that sort of money, or any amount spent on these silly cars these days, you can do alot better and buy something with a bit more class.
But the people that can drop that sort of money on an ex-Professional's Capri, are very likely to already have a barn full of expensive 'more classy' cars......that's why they can drop that sort of money on a Capri.....

These are not going to be brought by someone that's making a choice between one of these or 'something more classy' rolleyes




Purosangue

1,133 posts

20 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
austina35 said:
Yet more overpriced junk. These Fords were poor back in the day when they were new and nothing has changed.

For that sort of money, or any amount spent on these silly cars these days, you can do alot better and buy something with a bit more class.
like a squadron of A35s ,,,,,,,,,,,


getmecoat

austina35

365 posts

59 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Purosangue said:
like a squadron of A35s ,,,,,,,,,,,


getmecoat
Absolutely. Academy race ones.

austina35

365 posts

59 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
aeropilot said:
But the people that can drop that sort of money on an ex-Professional's Capri, are very likely to already have a barn full of expensive 'more classy' cars......that's why they can drop that sort of money on a Capri.....

These are not going to be brought by someone that's making a choice between one of these or 'something more classy' rolleyes
Point I'm making is these old Fords were junk back in the day. All my mates had them whilst 1 or 2 of us wouldn't be seen in a ford. It was like the poor man's family car back then and nowt has changed.

I get your point on those with deep pockets but these old dagenham dustbins really are a load of old tat.

Johnspex

4,441 posts

191 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Purosangue said:
austina35 said:
Yet more overpriced junk. These Fords were poor back in the day when they were new and nothing has changed.

For that sort of money, or any amount spent on these silly cars these days, you can do alot better and buy something with a bit more class.
like a squadron of A35s ,,,,,,,,,,,


getmecoat
or spelling lessons

Rob 131 Sport

3,130 posts

59 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Harry Rule said:
With their obviously immaculate original condition and history, there's part of me that thinks the same.

There's also part of me that fears I'd be disappointed by them.

I had a 3.0 Ghia which I sold 30 odd years ago and I've never driven a Capri since, I suspect that my fond memories of that car are helped along by heavily rose tinted specs.
I looked at replacing in 1991 my Mirafiori Sport with either a 3.0 S or Ghia Capri. I test drove a couple and found the performance lacking, especially at the top end (like an old diesel but with horrendous fuel consumption) and it only has a 4 speed gearbox. A 2.8 Injection was the way to go but I didn’t have the funds.
These Professionals Capris are iconic and worth every penny.

aeropilot

36,580 posts

234 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
austina35 said:
aeropilot said:
But the people that can drop that sort of money on an ex-Professional's Capri, are very likely to already have a barn full of expensive 'more classy' cars......that's why they can drop that sort of money on a Capri.....

These are not going to be brought by someone that's making a choice between one of these or 'something more classy' rolleyes
Point I'm making is these old Fords were junk back in the day. All my mates had them whilst 1 or 2 of us wouldn't be seen in a ford. It was like the poor man's family car back then and nowt has changed.

I get your point on those with deep pockets but these old dagenham dustbins really are a load of old tat.
But that's never been why people buy any old car. Most of them are tat. I'm sure many Ford fans, would think the stuff you like is a load of old tat as well.....(which it likely is) ....and Ford sold a lot of Capri's in 15 odd years so clearly many thought they were far from being Dagenham Dustbins. Just because you don't like them doesn't make them junk back in the day.

Old cars are not about whether they are good or not, its nostalgia, memories, being of a time, and that often means reaquainting with something that wasn't that good, as at the time, that's all you could afford etc.

You don't buy a classic car with your head, you buy it with the heart.