Last Sunday I went to Mondello Park to see Classic Car Live, The weather was great and apart from seeing loads of vintage cars parked there was several demonstration laps and races. One of the classic old cars was a 1962 Ford Consul Capri. Also called the Capri Classic my Dad had a similar car. He bought one in 1962 and a secondhand one in 1963. As a car the model wasnt a great success it was too expensive and the similar sized Cortina sold in huge numbers. Anyhow Dad kept the car for years until eventually it was falling to bits with rust and various bits had fallen off. We actually went on many holidays and days out all over ireland including one trip to Sligo when the passenger door lock decided to give up the ghost. Dad not being that good at fixing things stopped in a hardware and bought some clothes line and did a basic repair job. Over the years there was a few other bits modified as they broke. The rear windows were fixed in place as the winders had rusted. The car was painted but the rust came back and eventually the sad day came in 1978 when the car was traded in. The Capri at the show was restored from a complete wreck and must have cost the owner thousands. I spoke to the new owner and he had always wanted one and decided it was the car for him. He drove it around the track and we waved at him as he came around. I dont think i would want one myself but it brought the memories back, Dad insisting on absolute quietness as he attempted to fire the Capri into life. If anyone spoke, you would get blamed for another aborted start. it was as we now say a banger for its latter years but Dad at the time couldnt afford a newer car or had little interest in the car. Heres the restored Capr, I must get out a photo of our Capri, the GT model of course.
