Miguel Sánchez
FORD CAPRI TICKFORD TURBO PHOTOS: EBAY
Intimately linked to the history of the peripheries grown as a result of rural exodus, the SEAT 124 is one of "Neighborhood cars" most iconic of our country. In one way or another it is found in the popular imagination of millions of Spaniards; The hard-working families acquired the model when setting up their new life, they proudly displayed it on the trips back to their town being, more than a simple car, the reflection that the future had smiled upon them when they arrived in a great city as disturbing as timely.
Little by little the children of these families grew up, discovered the toughest side of the periphery and learned that to survive in the urban jungle you have to make yourself respected. One obvious way to do this was through your car; with it you transmitted an image. While many reused the old 124 of the father, others allowed themselves to wear more apparent frames with little entry into Spain: this is how the Ford Capri MK3.
And it is that this American thought for the European public was born precisely with the vocation to offer an affordable and cheeky sports car -possibly, with a badass point, why deny it- wearing the Mustang concept towards a land more in accordance with the regulations, sizes and tastes of the Old Continent. And well, he did it… The first generation sold more than 400.000 units, the second went from 1.200.000 despite the Oil Crisis and the third became the most popular sports car in the United Kingdom, also counting on the “achievement"Of being the most stolen car. For better or for worse we cannot deny that the Capri MK3 was a popular object of desire.
Now, if we talk about a really desired and coveted Capri ... That is the one evolved by Tickford. A model prepared by the company owned by Aston Martin based on doing what was more fashionable in the 80s: to put turbo. Not even 100 units were built, and now it is a collector's item where the car they carried "The neighborhood heroes" meets the exclusivity of a legendary company like Aston Martin.
FORD CAPRI MK3: A EUROPEAN MUSTANG
For the most purists of the Mustang, hearing that the Capri is an adaptation of it to the European context can draw a certain condescending smile, but for the Ford executives this was the conception of the model. Developed by Ford of Europe using the mechanical foundation provided by the Cortina, the Capri was conceived as a sports car to marry the American character of the "Pony car" -muscle and thirsty to run long straights- with the European conception of a mass sports car, compact and playful in curves.
This is how the first generation of a model was launched in 1969 that was on sale until 1986 with displacements that -in its third evolution- ranged from 1.3 to 3.0 liters, combining the Taunus V4 engine in the less powerful versions with the Cologne V6 in the most vitaminized, capable of reaching 188CV in units equipped with turbo.
Poco a poco the Capri began to become popular especially in the United Kingdom; We do not know why, but the truth is that, together with the Escort, he was beginning to be seen more and more both on the streets and in rallies. Speculating we think of the easily customizable car as a motive in its favor among the youngest motoring enthusiasts, who are always happy to intervene in the ethics and aesthetics of their cars. However, not only those young people noticed the potential that the Capri gave to personalization ... Also a company that was founded in 1820 to build carriages.
TICKFORD, THE UNEXPECTED LOGO WING ON THE BADGE OF A CAPRI
Tickford is a perfect business example of how to adapt to changes in your sector. And it is that, although now the remains of the company survive as quality consulting and product testing within the Intertek emporium - the latest news about his automotive work are vague references to the development of the Jaguar F Type Project 7- for some 180 years he built buggies, designed motor vehicle bodies and improved the mechanics of sports cars under the tutelage of an Aston Martin that the company acquired in 1955.
In fact, in 1981 the winged logo company decided to make Tickford a subsidiary specializing in the development of models for other brands. It must be recognized that this idea did not have a long journey since it only materialized by participating with Cosworth in the construction of the Sierra RS500, collaborating with MG in the creation of the Maestro Turbo, designing the roof of the Jaguar XJS and modifying the most popular sports model of the moment: the Capri MK3.
Visually, the different aerodynamic inserts on the bodywork and wheels are striking, which, in addition to providing more geometric lines, improve the aerodynamic coefficient by one degree. The aesthetic changes followed with an interior where the Tickford logo honored its resemblance to that of Aston Martin, filling the leather and wood cabin to finish off a front that gained in appearance compared to the original.
TURBO AND FIASCO ACCOUNTING
But the biggest change is in its interior, since starting from the version V6 of 2.8 liters Tickford incorporated a IHI turbocharging system able to gain 45CV compared to the series mechanics assembled in Cologne, taking the power up to 205CV. The suspension was adjusted again, rear disc brakes were incorporated and the tip was at 220 km / h with a 0 to 100 set at 6 seconds.
All of this was done by hand in the workshops that Tickford used at the behest of Aston Martin in England. And there came the problem: although the model was quite attractive and had the support of Ford for its promotion -In fact, the first units mount their symbol on the front instead of Tickford's, since direct marketing by the American giant was even expected- This required a large number of manual labor hours, which increased the cost to a point where potential customers were already tempted to purchase a high-end sports car rather than an upgraded Capri.
So things, a production that was expected to reach 250 units remained at 85 during its history of just two years after the presentation of the prototype in 1982 and the cessation of sale in 1984. That is why today the Ford Capri 2.8 Turbo Tickford is a disputed myth among the thousands of followers of the “European mustang”; the "Unicorn”Of this legend of the neighborhoods that doubles its price to that of a similar Capri MK3. However, it must be recognized that this model is the best tribute that England could give to a Capri that, raised to the myth of "Neighborhood icon", was preferred by British thieves.
