Performance

The 2.8 Injection wasn't created because Ford wanted to build an entirely new sports car, rather it existed because the old 3.0 litre Essex V6 had reached the end of the road. Tightening emissions regulations meant the much loved Essex engine could no longer continue to damage baby woodland creatures.

This left Ford with a problem. The Capri still had plenty of admirers, but without a flagship model its days appeared numbered.

The solution came from Ford's newly established Special Vehicle Engineering department, the same folks who would later give us the Escort XR3i and RS1600i. Their answer was simple. Take the dependable ‘Cologne’ V6, increase its capacity to 2.8 litres, strap on a smart Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system and transform the Capri into something more refined without losing the character that made it famous.

History suggests, they succeeded.

The 2.8 Injection bought the Capri several more years of life, arriving just when retirement seemed inevitable. More than simply replacing the old 3.0-litre model, it revitalised the entire range.

And what a revitalisation it was.

Producing around 158 bhp, although period testing suggested real output was slightly lower, the fuel-injected V6 gave the Capri genuine performance. Contemporary road tests recorded 0-62mph in a little over 8 seconds and a top speed approaching 130mph, figures that comfortably placed it alongside far more expensive machinery. When Motor Sport tested the new Capri, it described the car as a “beautifully balanced high-speed touring machine that compared favourably with cars costing "half as much again."

That was quite a statement for a car costing around £8,000 when new.

To put that into perspective, an Escort XR3 cost roughly £5,500, a Golf GTI around £6,000, while stepping into something like a Porsche 924 Turbo required well over £12,000. The Capri occupied a sweet spot all of its own. A genuine six-cylinder grand tourer that ordinary enthusiasts could realistically aspire to own.

It wasn't the most technically advanced sports coupe of the early 1980s. The live rear axle remained, the steering was still delightfully old-school and the chassis never pretended to be cutting edge. Yet that's exactly why enthusiasts still adore them today. The 2.8 Injection represents the Capri at its most complete. Faster, smoother and more refined than the 3.0 litre it replaced, while remaining unmistakably a Capri.

Perhaps that's why so many journalists still regard it as the finest all-round Mk3 ever built.

Its reputation wasn't earned solely on the road either.

Television helped elevate the Capri into British folklore. Bodie and Doyle's exploits in The Professionals made the MK3 synonymous with high-speed pursuits, to the point many writers believe the series did more for the Capri's image than Ford's own advertising. Later, Terry McCann's white ‘brand new, second hand’ Capri in Minder showed the car from an entirely different angle. Attainable, aspirational and unmistakably British.

Whether chasing villains or simply heading to the pub, the Capri became part of the fabric of 1980s Britain.

Mechanically, it has received thoughtful improvements that enhance the driving experience without compromising the character Ford intended.
The original 13-inch wheels remain in place, preserving the correct period stance, while Bilstein dampers, Gartrac rear springs and a Caprisport GR260 front brake conversion deliver noticeably sharper road manners. A genuine Ford ZF limited-slip differential, fitted by the renowned Ric Wood Motorsport, brings the specification closer to that of the later Injection Special models and transforms the way the car deploys its V6 power.

Tubular exhaust manifolds and a Magnex stainless exhaust allow the Cologne V6 to sound every bit as good as it should, while a Cosworth clutch handles the extra enthusiasm without requiring beastly quads.

The fuel system has also received significant attention with a new fuel tank, fuel pump and accumulator, ensuring reliability matches performance.

Recent maintenance includes replacement coolant hoses, water pump, thermostat, refurbished wheels with new tyres and a new power steering belt in 2021. The steering rack was professionally refurbished in 2022, while the brake fluid was renewed in 2025.

The car has covered only a few hundred miles between recent MOT tests, reflecting careful enthusiast ownership rather than regular daily use.

Before this Capri leaves us, it will pass through our workshop for a second comprehensive inspection.

Every age-related service item will be checked, with any component showing signs of deterioration replaced before handover.

The body will receive another meticulous clean before any isolated areas showing the earliest signs of surface corrosion are taken back to bare metal, chemically treated and refinished using sophisticated factory-look paint products, ensuring any preventative repairs remain effectively invisible.

Finally, the underside will be treated with a fresh application of clear cavity wax, preserving this remarkably original shell for many years to come.

The new owner will receive the car complete with its history file and spare key set.