Ford Capri

V1llianous

I am toying with the possibility of getting a Ford Capri for a weekend car.

Had a look on CBG and Carzone and found a few and also ebay in the UK.

Is it worth the hassle of a trip to the UK to import a car and how much does it tend to be to bring in a car due to VRT?

Would I be better off sticking to dealers and private sales in Ireland ?

Any other suggestions of where to look.

bazz26

I'd be wary of buying a car of this age from the UK.

Years of travelling on roads that are treated with salt in the winter will have taken it's toll on a car of that age. You really would want to have the car checked out top to bottom for signs of rust especially the chassis and undercarriage.

overdriver

Go to the classic car forum.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=514

I would have no problem bringing in an old car from the UK, I've done it twice!

PM me if you have any other questions!

r3nu4l

There is a Ford Capri owners club, perhaps that would be the best place to ask for advice...and of course the Classic Car forum as overdriver stated ^^

hi5

Agree with Baz but the chances of finding an Irish one in Ireland are even slimmer,almost every Capri I've seen recently are UK imports,go to any classic car show and most of the classic are from the UK,this salt thing is overstated imho,at least they survived how many irish cars survived the lack of owner maintainance and the potholes over here,very few.
Unlike Ireland all classics have to undergo an MOT once a year,they take a pickhammer to the underside,I know i've watched them do it to my 73 sl.
Like everything else ,buyer beware,dodgy MOT'S too,take someone who knows with you.buy the best one you can afford with a photographic restoration and documented receipts, all body work is expensive,mechanical work is relatively cheap.
If the car is pre 77 then VRT is a flat €50,between 77-86 it should be around €380,best to check first with your vehicle reg office.

Good choice OP the capri is a really cool car.

bo-bo

congratulations, great choice of car (my biased opinion of course)

the first thing you should do is research, research and more research. these cars (like any classic) can break your heart. take a look at the uk mags, classic ford and retro ford. they often have good articles. this will give you an idea of what the car is like to live with.

also take a look at www.fordcaprilaser.co.uk - brilliant site, with good articles

find a breaker of these cars in your locality, it means parts will be available to you for generally less than it will cost to ship them from the uk (sounds odd and difficult to do but these guys are out there)

have you a garage? i recently sold a mint capri because i have nowhere to store it. these cars are full of "water traps" and will require constant attention to keep them in tip top condition. it is imperative that any potential car you look at has been treated well.

waxoyl and under seal it. this is a job i prefer to do myself because you know that you will not miss anything.

mechanically these cars are simple, tough and reliable.

try and get a 2.0 or 1.6 litre as your first car. the reason, you will enjoy the car just as much without wrapping it around a street lamp on the first roundabout you meet. both these pinto engines are extremely torquey and pull well. also, these models dont have the strengthening plates on top of the front struts (as the 3.0 and 2.8i do) which are notorious water traps.

as for getting a car in the uk - do by all means, but make sure that it is a cherished example, rather than a tarted up thrased one. and honest car with a wee bit of body rust is far better than a freshly painted car with a rotten chassis. there is a much bigger/better culture for these cars in the uk. more choice, better quality imho

if you want a full run down on what to look for let me know

bo-bo

oh ya, the vrt thing - i recently paid 675 euro for a 2.0s in reasonable condition and on the road - its not cheap :mad:

L-M

As every one is sayin it's an excellent choice. There are a few websites that will give u some what of an indication. https://www.ros.ie/VRTEnquiryServlet/ShowVRT

The only thing about importing from England is the amount of clocking taking place on cars. So many cars are being imported from the UK recenlty and it's destroying the Irish second hand market. So it must be cheaper... If u do buy, keep us up to date.
Best of luck

Sizzler

Class car ! Always wanted one of them