Old mans car?? How old are you?

paulfinucane wrote: Sarnie wrote: that Aston thing was hideous, never liked all those bodykits. what aston thing - you are not suggesting there were aston capri's ?

the tickford capri was coachbuilt by tickford... of aston martin fame

here's what i wrote about it for a website i made some years ago

The story of the Tickford Capri started with an ex-Formula One driver called John Miles. Working for Autocar magazine at the time, He was an engineer by trade and a self-confessed Ford Capri fanatic. Aston Martin Tickford was interested in building high-performance and high-quality road cars in greater numbers to a less exclusive market and the Ford Motor Company was persuaded to back the development of such a car, but gradually from its conception in 1981, retail in 1983 to its demise in 1987 Ford stopped financial support and restricted its input to assisting with the sale of the car.

A Tickford Capri started life as a brand new Ford Capri 2.8 Injection hot off the Ford production line before being dismantled, re-engineered and re-equipped at Tickfords factory in Conventry. Because it cost so much to buy and produce, the car was always built to order and each one was built to owner specification - there were so many optional extras available that out of the number built no two cars were exactly the same. Mechanically, the 2.8i Capri recieved quite a few modifications to turn it into a Tickford, the 2.8i V6 Cologne engine was turbocharged, the suspension was modified and disc brakes were fitted at the rear in place of the standard drums. Strangely, the 5-speed manual gearbox remained as standard but a limited-slip-differential was fitted to the rear axle to help control wheelspin and traction in tight corners. Available in Diamond White, Gloss Black and Cardinal Red, the Tickford Capri was very easy to spot with that extreme bodykit which allegedly improved downforce and countered lift at high speed.

The IHI turbocharger installation increased power from 150 bhp to 205 bhp, giving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph.

The Tickford Capri launched at a base price of £14,985 in 1983, with optional extras adding to this price. Compare this to the standard Ford Capri 2.8 Injection price of £8653 and the fact that adding a leather interior, Wilton carpeting and some other luxuries could bump the price up to at least £18,000 which put it in the same price bracket as machines such as the Porsche 944, Lotus Excel and BMW 638CSI. Expect to pay from £10,000 to £18,000 depending on condition, but as ever it is a case of finding one and if you manage to, the seller can name his price due to the sheer rarity and exclusivity of this unique machine.

With its high price tag and in view of the alternatives that were available to a buyer with money to burn you can see why there were just 100 sold in its lifetime.

In 1996 it was estimated that there were less than 50 remaining Tickford Capris in a roadworthy condition and you cannot get spare parts or body panels from Tickford anymore...

Ben O Brien wrote: Hey! Gettin back on topic i must be the youngest 5er driver here im 17 and driving a 94 facelifted 525td, and its my second e34 i had a 90' 520i se before this!! But ive had a lot of volvos since i was about 14, have quite a collection now of older 240's including a 164E a 262C coupe and an american 242 coupe for those of you who understand volvo's!! Altho im about to sell my e34 now to nuy a 98 jeep cherokee commercial... i must be mad!!

paper rounds must pay a helluva lot more than they used to....

Ben O Brien wrote: Ha ha no iv bought, sold and done a lot of work to a lot of volvos an cars in general, though my age does take ots toll on the car, it was a mint fbmwsh uk import 525td that you could eat you dinner off (if you were that way inclined!!) and now theres a set of 17"alpinas on, sport bodykit, m5 black leather recaro interior, pioneer sound system... an im really feeling the urge to tint the windows!! - only joking on the last one...

is it not about time you changed your signature....?