Albert Ferreras
TEXT AND PHOTOS: ALBERTO FERRERAS
In 1969 it was released one of the most emblematic sports of recent Ford history. This year marks the 50th anniversary of its market launch. In Madrid we wanted to do our bit so that this international celebration did not go unnoticed in Spain and will join the many commemorative events that are taking place throughout Europe. The mythical film specialist Alain Small (The Second Chance) accompanied us throughout the tribute.
For those who do not know the history of the Ford Capri, a brief introduction may be in order. At the end of 1964 Ford USA (after the overwhelming success of the Mustang, launched in April of that same year in the United States) began to develop the idea of a vehicle for the European market with a first premise of the marketing department: create something "Extremely pretty." The Ford Capri, offered four years later to the British public as «The car you always promised yourself»(In Spanish dealers it appeared as «The car you've always wanted«) Thus became the European version of the American Mustang.
Ford Capri: The European Mustang
Production of the Capri began at Ford's plant in Halewood (UK) in November 1968, and later in Cologne (Germany), but It was not until January 24, 1969 that it made its first public appearance at the Brussels Motor Show. On December 19, 1986, a Capri MK III 280 was completed, also in Cologne, thus ending the production of this sports car after 18 years of history and a total of 1.886.647 units manufactured in its three versions: Mk I, Capri II and Mk III. In March 87 the last copy was sold.
In order to honor this symbolic Ford model, the last Saturday, June 8 we organize from the Friends of Ford Capri Association - AAFC and in collaboration with His Excellency the Guadarrama City Council, Ford España, the KWC American Radio Station, the Non-Classist Routes Association (with Carlos and David Cobo in the coordination) and the Rancho Santa Juana, a meeting of Capris and classics in general in one of the most emblematic places of the Madrid mountains.
After a first meeting in the main square of Guadarrama, the participants left for the nearby town of Valdemorillo, where we had a concerted visit to visit the Barreiros Museum, inaugurated in 1998 and managed by the Foundation dedicated to D. Eduardo Barreiros, one of the greatest entrepreneurs in the history of the national automotive industry in all its stages. The Museum has an exhibition space of 800 square meters, where we were able to explore the evolution of passenger cars and industrial vehicles developed by the Galician industrialist, among which are such emblematic models as the Simca 1000 or Dodge Dart, manufactured at the beginning of the decade. of the 60 under Chrysler license in the Villaverde factory, current Citroën PSA.
Heading to the Santa Juana Ranch
After the guided visit and the delivery to the Barreiros Foundation of a small souvenir of our time there (and there are already four ...), we made a small route to the town of Manzanares el Real. In the middle of an incomparable setting in the Guadarrama Regional Park, we were able to enjoy a quiet meal at the Tranco-608 restaurant, a place decorated with countless iconography biker clear allusion to the mythical Route 66 that travels the United States from east to west.
After the inevitable subsequent gathering, the last journey of our day had as its final destination Rancho Santa Juana, located on the access road to Guadarrama, where the second edition of the festival was being held. country called 'Maple Day Leaf', which we join. There, between Harleys and Indians, we parked our Capris, the impressive Mustang GT Performance and the rest of the participating classics for the enjoyment of the large audience attending the festival organized by Emilio KWC, Esther GP and their people.
And the Awards ...
Between shows of film specialists, exhibitions of riding, shooting and archery, and good live music offered by the kinfolks and his classic bluegrass style, and The Cridens, tribute band that impeccably pay tribute to the original and mythical Credence Clearwater Revival (thanks to Andoni Urkiaga for his invaluable documentary help), we delivered the prizes to the participants of our caprista meeting (at vehicle come from further afield - Víctor Artola, Castellón-, to best preserved –Víctor Manuel Acosta-, to senior - Emilio KWC-, to 'unavailable to discouragement'- José María Lezcano-, to the owner who has had it the longest –Juan Carlos Rodríguez- and as a special mention, to Miguel Ángel Vázquez for his always invaluable and selfless collaboration).
And as a final point, We presented a symbolic trophy in gratitude for his presence at the Caprista meeting to Alain Petit, 'stuntman' and teacher of television and film specialists. For all those present, it continues to be in our memory since the time of 'The Second Chance', emblematic TVE program broadcast in the 70s, and presented by the remembered Paco Costas.
The tribute to Alain put an end to a day that could not have had a more positive result for us and, due to the comments we have been receiving, also for the public who enjoyed our vehicles and the festival. country.
We hope to celebrate another anniversary like this one in 50 years with our Ford Capri, with the same enthusiasm, and we hope with the same health of vehicles and owners. Although as someone once said, that will be another story ...
