Full Description
FOR SALE
A rare Signal Orange Ford Capri Mk3 3.0 Ghia manual with interesting history.
EQUIPMENT
All steel welded integral construction, safety tinted glass all round, opening rear quarter vents, four round sealed beam halogen headlamps, extensive sound insulation, anti-burst locks, sunshine roof with tilt/slide, black painted bumpers with overriders, Ford emblem sill finishers, power steering, leather steering wheel, tachometer, ammeter, water temperature gauge, warning lights for alternator, oil pressure, main beam and direction indicators, quartz clock, heated rear window with wash/wipe, dual-tone horn, padded arm rest, map pockets, Ford LM/MW push button radio cassette. Factory Options: 4-speed manual transmission (no cost option in lieu of standard automatic transmission).
EXTERIOR
Highly sought after and rare for the Ghia is the stunning Signal Orange paintwork, (Code 0 9), a colour that proudly boasts the best virtues of a 1970’s Mk3 Capri! Having been professionally restored around 15 years ago, the gorgeous vibrant paintwork boasts a deep polished shine and uniform finish and there are very few imperfections worthy of mention. The bonnet bulge, Ghia badging and large 3.0 boot decal remind onlookers this is no lower model Capri and both supplying dealer branded number plates and rear screen sticker are fitted. The glass is security etched with the vehicle registration number. This regular show-going example will delight any enthusiast seeking a top-of-the-range for luxury Mk3 Capri with power and good looks found in abundance!
INTERIOR
Sumptuous interior design synonymous with Ghia and luxury motoring is absolutely stunning. The contoured seats with built-in head restraints are trimmed in Tan Verona fabric upholstery, (Code J 1). The seats are spotlessly clean and the material is largely taught with no rips or thinning. Coloured-keyed deep shag pile carpet and door cards are unmarked and the Grey soft feel instrument surround with a full arrangement of working gauges has no fade, lift or dash cracking. The headlining is fully intact and very clean. The original Ford stereo cassette remains fitted and operates, although will require repair as the tuning dial is faulty and the cassette player makes everything sound like The Chipmunks/Bee Gees. All non-protruding switches, dials and quartz clock operate perfectly. The spotless boot area has a straight and uncut parcel shelf, Ford jack and spare wheel. An opulent classic Ford interior.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The most powerful engine available at the time was the 3000cc V6 engine as fitted to this genuine 3.0L Ghia. Power output is quoted at 138bhp at 5000rpm to offer a top speed of 121mph and 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. The engine bay is very well presented with the chassis stamp to the inner wing clearly visible and unique 3.0 strengthening points present. Standard equipment on the 3.0L Ghia is the C3 automatic gearbox, however a desirable four-speed manual was offered as a special order option but very rarely chosen. This example is immensely rare having left the factory as a manual, begging the question of why not just order a cheaper 3.0S and save £1000 at the time?! Perhaps the comfort of the Ghia was appealing as was the driver feel of the manual.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Cast aluminium sports road wheels are unmarked and premium Uniroyal 185/70 VR13 tyres were fitted in August 2026. The hydraulic dual-line servo assisted brakes with front discs and rear drums bring the car up straight and true and the car is still fitted with the correct 2 port Girling master cylinder.
HISTORY FILE
A car with an endearing history. This early Mk3 was built in September 1978 at the Cologne Plant in West Germany and registered new on 23rd February 1979 at Alexanders Ford Cars in Edinburgh. In March 1981, the present owner, Mr Hill, purchased the car from BCA (British Car Auctions) in Measham whereby the original receipt in the history file reveals the price paid of £2,925. Mr Hill recalls that he kept the car for around six months at which point “something else took my fancy” and the car was sold to a work colleague who cherished the car daily until around 1990. At this point the car was offered back to Mr Hill in “somewhat used condition”. The decision was made to buy the car back with the intention of “doing it up” because a 3.0 Ghia with manual gearbox and in Signal Orange was more than rare, it was almost unique! Family and work commitments prevailed, and the car was stored for around 20 years before restoration began. A professional restoration began in the summer of 2010 and is documented in the history file. Mr Hill, the sporadic custodian of over 45 years, has now made the heart-wrenching decision to sell the car in order to concentrate on other retirement interests rather than classic car shows! An owners written testimonial and Capri Story, magazine features and many more documents are included in the history file.
In July 2026, the car has undergone full check over to include a major service, fuel system service, brake overhaul and four premium tyres. A wonderfully rare example of late-seventies Ford Royalty.
MOT September 2027, HPI Clear.
