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Capri 280's any point? Yes, believe it or not - people are still wanting one, still contacting me and not letting the below mentioned stuff scare them off completely. People are feeling the pinch but still not letting the squeeze stop them from enjoying life with a classic Ford.

My last sale was the G Reg 280 - sold to a hard working guy up north. Decided that he wanted the car he always promised himself and he's a happy bunny. A super car that can return 31-32 on a run in style - can't be bad eh?

Read on and you will get depressed but once you are, have a strong cup of coffee and then make sure they don't grind you into the ground!!

Latest - OIL June 2008 - is expected to hit $250 a barrel fairly soon - that will mean £2.30 per litre in the UK. Never thought it could happen did you? Who would have said that the past 2-3 years were 'the good old days'? Not me. But there's a lot of players out there all fixing and manipulating markets. The speculators have done their worst with the financial markets hence the credit crunch - now they are gambling on oil futures hence there's panic and increases even when there's no actual change in the supply or demand.

It's fast approaching a time when to travel will be a past time of the seriously rich and the rest of us will have tin cans occupying our driveways and garages. It's a bit depressing but that's about it.

There worst part I suppose is this - the crooks in the treasury take 70% of every tanful of petrol as tax. They spend or squander it away of many different things, mainly failed computer systems, propping up excess management structures in organisations and education establishments. Which means this. The British driver is now using 20% less fuel due to crippling costs so the exchequer is getting 20% less tax. Getting the picture? What will the Cash Guzzler Darling do when his ATM (the motorist) is down on funds? Well you work it out.

They want us supposedly to drive less, use less oil / fuel etc. But when we do they get less tax to fund scandalous schemes. Outcome? You guessed it. If we do what they want, and spend less at the pumps coz we are being crushed, then they get less income and will hit us again somewhere else. And once we get hit elsewhere, it won't matter if oil reduces because the extra taxes will just stay. Bit like the price of chips at the chip shop - spuds were in short supply one year in the 80's - so up went a bag of chips from 30p to 85p. Spuds got plentiful later but chips stayed high. So it is with this oil / fuel / tax on motoring.

Who will get us out of this? Labour? Tories? The choice my friend is Hobsons. It's like being asked if you prefer to be assaulted by Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield - who you going to choose?

Enjoy your car while you can - won't be long that's for sure.

The £10 gallon is just round the corner and I recall when we protested at 87p per litre - happy days.

HOW TO ESCAPE THE RECESSION

You can escape the coming financial crash and the economic disaster helped along by 'Prudence' Brown and his bunch of £100 grand a year (without expenses and Gold Plated pensions) cohorts.

Here's how:-

1. Don't buy food

2. Don't have a mortgage

3. Don't drive

4. Don't heat your water or your home

5. Don't fly

6. Don't use public transport - esp trains

There - saved you a fortune - no charge for this advice.................. Oh yes, nearly forgot, whatever you do, do NOT grow old in Britain.

OIL CRISIS

Yup it's a crisis. Crude hits $135 a barrel May 2008. The 200 dollar barrel is not too far away. Britain is fast becoming a 3rd world entitiy. Hardly any influence and bidding against the new economies of China and India. We cannot sustain our use of oil. Petrol prices will go through the roof and we will look back on 2008 as a time of, er, cheap fuel prices.

Why keep mentioning this? Like I said dozens of times before. Classic cars will be ornaments before too long - read the headlines and the small columns. Our fabulous Capri's will soon be thought of as unsocial and everyone will be expected to drive an electric food mixer. Not because it saves the planet, but because we just won't be able to afford petrol.

Answer? I actually do not know. All I can say is - if you want a classic Ford the only time to buy and enjoy one is now. Not tomorrow, not next week, but now. This is not doom and gloom it's fact. The upside is your wallet will not be weighing you down quite as much as in previous years.

Who is a buyer and who is a dreamer?

There are a number of good indicators as to whether you are a buyer or a wishful thinker. Sometimes it helps to know. I have seen the signs over the years. Here's a few pointers that will see which camp you fall into:-

You know you'll never buy a Capri 280 when:- (I have proved every one of these points except number 10)

1. You send emails only and never make a phone call to discuss the car.

2. You say you'll come and see the car but never do.

3. You are only concerned with the price.

4. You don't spend many waking hours and sleeping hours thinking about the car.

5. You consider also looking at Escorts, MGs and Audi's.

6. You think 100 miles is too far to travel to test drive.

7. You wait longer than a week to make your mind up.

8. You are thinking of importing to your country.

9. You consider it's a toss up between double glazing, a new kitchen or a Capri.

10. You work for Northern Rock!

So how did you fair? If more than 2 of the above apply to you - then you are not a buyer. There, just saved us both a lot of time.

 

A Buyer on the other hand is one who:-

1. Has the budget to meet his/her dreams.

2. Is aged 40 plus

3. Businessman, usually.

4. Just had an insurance payout, shares cashed in or can't stand Euro-shaped tin cans.

5. Always promised himself one of these for the last 15 years.

6. Can't stop thinking about it.

7. Visits my website at least 7 times a week.

8. Has pictures of a 280 as screen saver or wall paper

9. Just promised to take the family / wife on a smashing holiday or get the new kitchen as well

10. Able to convince himself and the wife that this is a form of investment. Well, he actually doesn't need convincing...............

 

Ticked more than 3 of these? Sorry you're hooked give us a call.

 

(If you think this is made up, think again - the chap who bought my G Reg said he looked at the list, ticked off more than 3 and rang me to say "I'm hooked" and he bought the car)

 

 

Turbo Technics to re-release their legendary F9, & F26 kits for the 2.8i - 280 Capri !!

Here's the deal:

Turbo Technics have said if they get 10 orders, with a 20% deposit for each kit they will re-produce them. I'm not certain of the pricing - but I did hear 'less than 3 grand' - better ring Hamish or Sales at Turbo Technics.

This is the press release from Turbo Technics:-

"This kit is identical to the famous kits we produced in the 80's and 90's which when fitted to the new Capri's would make 200bhp.

Producing power at high speed is relatively easy, but the aim of the development programme was to build an engine which would also produce a high level of torque from very low speed. The key to achieving this is the exhaust manifold and Turbo Technics design expertise has produced a technically advanced pulse separation configuration, using a single turbo. In conjunction with the carefully matched Garrett T3 turbocharger, excellent low speed response is achieved, with minimal turbo lag.

The resulting engine not only gives exhilarating performance, but does so in a totally fuss-free manner, with no perceptible transition to "boost" conditions. Economy is virtually unaffected, and an effective intercooler in conjunction with a carefully integrated system ensures a very high degree of reliability, for which Turbo Technics have established a trend-setting reputation.

The kit uses the standard compression ratio and runs with standard transmission and consists of a T3 turbocharger, manifold, intercooler, vacuum capsule, fuel enrichment air cone block, oil feed and return pipes, cross pipe and a down pipe from the turbo as well as all the pipe work and clips to plumb everything in. The only part not included from the original kit is the complete exhaust system see fig13 in drawings.

The Turbo system can be fitted in a few days by any competent DIYer and does not need to be carried out by specialists. However, it is important that the engine is in good mechanical condition before the kit is installed, especially if it has covered high-mileage."

Engine Power Output.
Maximum power = 200BHP (149Kw) @ 5,500r/m
Maximum torque = 247 Lbf-Ft (320Nm) @ 3,800r/m

Typical Performance Figures
Capri 200BHP
0-60 ml/hr 6.5
0-100 ml/he 14.8
Max speed 143 ml/hr on the standard final drive

Your order will be taken with a 20% deposit. Please call Turbo Technics sales department on 01604705050 for further information

Turbo Technics
2 Sketty Close
Brackmills
Northampton
NN4 7PL
United Kingdom

Tel: 01604 705050
Fax: 01604 769668

Ed: Dr B has owned 4 Turbo Technics Capri 280's and they are without a doubt the most stunning drive ever! If only Ford had put this conversion on as standard......... but then everyone would have one wouldn't they?

Original diagrams:

Don't know quite how to arrange a Group Buy of at least 10 units but I guess if enough interest is shown they'll be swamped with orders. Pass this on to all your Capri nutters out there.

Remember Norman Bates would have a kit - how is that for a recommendation?

FUEL PRICES - MORE INFO TO DEPRESS YOU - This is the way that the Government fleeces you every day.

Link to Petrol Prices.com

The Last Capri 280 ever built

Did you know - that the first Capri 280 ever built was stolen and never recovered?

Did you know that Ford Europe kept the last one made Reg Number D194 UVW and it's in Gaydon plant today?

Did you know that the engine/chassis number of the last 280 ever made has the unique number GG11896?

Did you know that the last Capri 280 ever to be registered is a G REG and is featured on my website?

Did you know that the last 280 to physically roll off the assembly line in Cologne is NOT considered to be the last one ever made.

It is official that the last one ever made is final chassis number GG11896.

Even if you have the work ticket that is time and date stamped as the last one off the assembly line - unless it is GG11896 it just ain't the official last one.

Any doubts? Call the Doctor!

Just thought I'd put this on in case anyone tries to offer you the 'last one ever built'.

There are still at least 3 Capri 280's in England that have not been registered. I know the towns where they are but that's all I can say.

Imminent war in Middle East - all indications are that a huge conflagration in the Middle East will kick of fairly soon. This will have devastating effects on lives, the economy and for all us petrol heads - the price and supply of petrol, heating oils etc.

Only mentioning this as we often think we are an Island and what goes on a couple of thousand miles away doesn't really affect us.

I have numerous up to date links on the political and military positioning in the M.E. if anyone wants the links.

Road Pricing and the Spy in your Car click here

As predicted over 3 years ago on this site - the government plans to give police access to all camera and private individuals road journeys. That means exactly what we told you - as soon as nationwide road pricing comes in every scrap of privacy goes out the window and govt. agencies and departements, CSA, DWP, Soc Services, Customs & Revenue, VAT, Specail Branch, MI5, MI6 etc will all have potential to know exactly where you went, with whom, what time, where you stopped and how fast you did it all!!. Good to know 'they' care about you so much................... click here

1. What happens when an executive gets fed up with the Company Jag?? Click here to find out

2. UPDATE May 2008: Who's got the only G Reg then or should I say who's got it now?? click here to find out

3. Want to find the Build number of your Capri 280? Just click on BUILD CALCULATOR in the menu above - put in the 5 digits that appear after the letters GG in the engine or chassis number - click 'Calculate' and there you are! This is the only site in the world offering you this facility.

4. Ever heard of the 419-ers? No thought not. They are the overseas scammers who target a lot of people selling classic cars in the UK. In their extreme ignorance they think that if you own a classic car you are desperate for cash and will therefore fall prey to their infantile and zero IQ scams. Started by Nigerians but any number of morons from other nations try it on. There's even a website set up by folk to Bait the Scammers and cause them no end of problems! What great sport if you have the time.

You will know their emails because they refer to your advert in a sort of generalised fashion such as ' I am very interested in the car - please give me the firmest price and I will get my agent to contact you very soonest' etc etc.They have no idea about the car they don't care about your car. It's a means to an end. They want you to give bank details - they promise to send you a deposit - then when you've banked it they want you to return the deposit on promise of the full amount. (they won't even have seen the car or shown any true interest in it). When you send back the deposit you find that their money was fraudulant and you are out by thousands of pounds.

How do you deal with them? Simple. You reply to their email without disclosing anything about yourself, your car or your name. You ask for a UK tel number, a post code and their full name. It never comes. To add weight to this you can say that you will pass the email to Interpol if no reply within 12 hours. Always works.

Their emails have a plausible looking name but nearly always are on a Yahoo account with numbers after the name. The wording is bland and generic and always refers to money, banks and shipping. Time of day is usually early hours of the morning GMT. Spelling of words like 'check' instead of cheque are dead give aways. You have been warned.

A good link to see what's happening is this Internet Fraud and 419 scammers

5. Oil Crisis? Think we'll be driving forever? Think you can afford it? What about the 'Spy in Your Car'? Click here

Remember you read it here first - I told you that the Tories would bring back the fuel escalator tax so that no mstter what price fuel was the tax would rise exponentially. Well, now the other tax 'em til it hurts ruffians are saying they will maintain the price of petrol artificialy by claiming the difference between reduced petrol costs and the existing price of petrol by calling it a green tax. In other words petrol drops 10p due to low crude prices and Labout Govt - keep the price of fuel at the same price anyway and keep the difference. I think they call it robbery, fraud, scamming or something like that. I believe we voted these clowns in to represent the majority didn't we? Well they are pandering to the greenies and conning us left right and centre regarding the Global Warming con and other similar tax scams. Look out pockets they getting emptier by the week.

6. Road pricing - the new way to print money for failed Government schemes and projects CLICK HERE

Not just me talking about this - me and 1.8 million others CLICK HERE

7. Read that The Conservatives will re-introduce the Fuel Escalator Tax on petrol. No worry - all it means is that it will be set at 3% above inflation each year, so that if inflation is, say, 3% then petrol TAX will go up by 6% a year each year, every year and NEVER come down again - even if they gave petrol away for nothing the government would still be around 80-90p per litre.

So now you know who to vote for next time around? Glad you do coz I don't. It seems the motorist is yet again seen as the ointment that will cure all the financial ills of poor governments. Governments are elected by the people to represent ALL the people not just key, loud pressure groups.

Way to go to be PM CMD! (Call Me Dave) follow the greenies and the pressure groups - get your extra votes and then stay in opposition. We thought we could rely on a new opposition to come up with something better than Lib Left Weak green stuff. We see the trick here - drop direct taxes slightly then take it all back and more with indirect taxes.

The rich of the nation will not curb their spending on fuel. The poorer ones will go slowly broke trying to pay all the taxes and nothing will change globally except the coffers of the chancellors office.

Now he's attracted the Green Vote, just wait for the next 'vote'. CMD will offer petrol credits for all single mothers and same sex couples who are having IVF, want men to conceive & drive pink cars with sequinned air-bags........... I'm going for a lie down....................

At least Attila the Hun would have driven a Hummer on Nitrous - as long as we ignore the rest of his behaviour. Ah no, he 'sacked the Roman Empire (i.e. the EU) didn't he? hmm.................