There are plenty of barn find videos on TH-cam, but none hold a candle to Jonny. Regardless of the car, it's the genuine enthusiasm, compassion, expertise and interest (in both the people and the machines), which makes a Jonny Barn Find just that extra bit special. An absolute gem of a channel and a gem of a chap!
Part of the enjoyment of these videos is that Johnny is not an real expert mechanic/historian/whatever but nor does he ever pretend to be one - he checks his notes, tries the procedures and tricks he knows (many more than I know) and hopes for the best. All part of what makes these so genuine and enjoyable.
It's a nice example of UK content over the US. No loud guitar riffs, fake hyper- enthusiasm, quick cut editing, and manufacturered drama. Just telling us about the car and showing the work.
The thing I absolutely love about these barnfind episodes is the way Jonny treats the people with respect and humanity. There are not many presenters out there, especially in the automotive world who would be able to do this without just making a bunch of snide, condescending comments for "laughs". Sometimes we see that kind of purile behavior in the comments, but it isn't welcomed. I really appreciate this and I think it's exactly why so many people are inviting him into what potentially could be a vulnerable, embarrasing, or emotionally difficult situation. This is an interesting car that I don't think I've ever seen in the states... here it seems to have been superceded by the Maverick. But considering that the Maverick's I saw as a kid were completely rusted out 40 years ago, I have a hard time believing many of those Capri's survived.
Very well put. There are many different emotions attached to these cars. And the owners or custodians need to feel happy with the person they are dealing with ❤
Me too been waiting since he mentioned this find in December..I own 2 1971 mk1's one built in Germany the other one was built in South Africa and took years to find.
The only thing us total fans are shouting at you Johnny is encouragement! These barn finds are pure, unadulaterated GOLD! Thank you for everything that you do 👍
As a 12yr old in 1969, i remember seeing my first Ford Capri, the school caretaker purchased a basic 1300cc Silver Capri. To us kids it had the wow factor and looked so futuristic.
From my experience of such cars ‘in period’, I reckon a set of points, condenser, distributor cap, coil and plug leads should be in the toolbox as a matter of course.
My dad worked with an eccentric character in the 70's early 80's. He had rare motorbikes, a jukebox in his lounge way before any of this was 'standard'. My dad would tell me stories how the guy used to walk on stilts at diner time, better than anyone could walk on the ground. He also would sleep in motorbike leathers to stretch them. He also could walk then do a backflip. He also had a massive garage in his garden, that had central heating in it years before we had it our house! Long story short he purchased a white cortina brand new, drove it home and its never left the garage since. It honestly must be a museum piece, he still lives 10 mins away. He and my dad are now in their eighties.
As others have mentioned, I really like the respectful and genuine way that Johnny reacts and responds to the owners and their stories. So easy to make snide comments about the junk and mattresses and so forth but he avoids the cheap gimmicks and focusses on the car and the story. Really growing on me, these barn finds.
As a Capri MK3 owner, loved this, Panos is Greek, greetings from Greece The MK2 was also sold in the States as a Mercury Capri, the last model year was 1977
I can't help but think that the security alarm may be involved in the inability to start. Though Panos said he thought he disconnected it, it's probably worth checking.
My dad drove a Mk1 Capri, silver with black vinyl roof, in the '70s and as a young lad sitting in the back, I remember being mesmerised by the shape of the rear windows.
Beautiful. I had a metallic blue 1973 Capri 3 litre GT Automatic - 'L' registration. It was a gorgeous car and it broke my heart to part with it in 1980.
I love watching the way Jonny not just loves these barn finds or wherever they may be but he loves to find out the history of the cars owners and the lives that car may of made some memories with. It's great if the car hasn't ran in a few years and he gets it running with either the current owner of said car or the knew owner of a car that's still in the same 👨👨👧👧 love it, i 🤔 he needs to patent the CAN OF HOPE , might be a good seller 😁, great videos Jonny keep them coming 👍👍
Currently its very windy and raining outside, but I have a warm brew and biscuits whilst watching another cracking LateBrakeShow vid inside. I love these episodes and the stories that go with them. Certainly wish my dad was still around he'd have loved this, he regularly mentioned his Capri MK1 and his love for it. Thanks Jonny and team.
I bought a 72 Mk1 facelift in 1985 for 100 quid while I visited the UK from Australia, it took me the length and breadth of the British Isles for 12 months, not one single headache until it was stolen from a pub car park in Leicestershire. I absolutely loved it, great times. Thanks Johnny... 🇦🇺🇬🇧
Jonny, you brought back memories of my youth, adjusting the carbs on my old Datsun and changing the plugs, then calling my brother to get sage advice when the motor was running rough. Thank you for sharing these stories.
Superb Johnny.... We had a guy who owned a light metallic blue Mk1 Capri in the 70s the only one in our neighborhood. It was the coolest looking thing and still the image in my head is as clear as yesterday
You need to take a few obvious spares with you on these. You got around the fuel supply problem with the Can of Hope, but a set of leads can be pretty universal and maybe just splash on points , rotor arm for each car ? At £20 or so, would also make a nice thank you donation to the owner.
Johnny, when you get an engine that's sat for years and years, put a little ATF down each spark plug hole and turn it over a full 2 rotations by hand to make sure nothing binds So easy for a valve to be stuck open and if you crank it on the starter you'll likely bend it needlessly. The ATF will help lube what will be a very dry and likely slightly rusted bore.
Very good point also the combustion chamber is in the piston so most of what Jonny squirted in the plughole is probably just sitting in the combustion chamber on top of the piston.
@@Crazy_Dave some Kent engines have flat top pistons and some don't. Cannot be sure what we have here. Still worth a spray of ATF through the plug hole, aimed at the cylinder wall if you can before starting it up
Such a nice thing to see you try and help the owners get the car going again. Even without it starting he knows it's worth the bit of effort and spend to get it working again. I'd love to see this cruising round London 👍
My first car was a Mark I Capri 2000 built in Cologne, Germany. In America they were sold in Mercury dealerships (along side Pantaras) but they didn't have any Mercury markings. The hood (bonnet) had Capri instead of Ford across the front. We had the power bulge hood and 4 round headlights with turn indicators on the grill for all models. We also got some Mark II Capris with the hatch back, but instead of the Mark III we got re-badged Mustangs starting in 1979.
WOW jonnie love the channel, I had a capri as my first car, which was a H reg 70 V4 2.0L auto, which I converted to an Essex V6 3.0L, but I have to say, that 1600 cross flow was the best ever engine ford put in its range, it was bullet proof, even the over head cam pinto had its issues with the drip rail over the cam made the cam fail, I also had capri M reg 3.0Lmk2 and a W reg 2.0L mk3, you just took me back to 18 years old, thanks to the viewers who make this magic happen.
4:54 - From one of your fans in the US..I love a good cuppa hot tea on a cold afternoon, but in the morning there's nothing like coffee for me! We did get the Mk.1 Capri in the US, you're right that it was sold through the "Mercury" luxo brand..but it was so different than their other offerings that the dealerships hated them. Older friend of mine that bought a '70 new said that he had to take it to an independent garage to have it serviced (even before the warranty expired) because the mechanics at the dealer absolutely refused to work on it. "Yoo shudda 'boutta 'Merikun" was a thing back then, even before the 'Japanese Invasion' during the '74 OPEC oil crisis here. Rough times for Americans who wanted cars that would go where we pointed them, and stopped when we told them to. 😆
Jonny, it would probably be a good idea to get a box of old ignition bits and pieces together to take with your can of hope for the barn finds! I'm sure folks would supply you with various points, condensers, coils etc. Just an idea 💡!
My great uncle had a three litre mark 1, it was the coolest thing ever when I was 8 years old. He sold it in the early 90s and was contacted by the old bill shortly after to identify the buyers cos It had been used in a bank robbery!
I inherited my fathers 1972 mk1 1600 pre-facelift. Just 57k on the clock. Looking forward too getting it out in the spring. Currently changing the awful vv carb for a twin Weber. Excellent video.
If it's a 1972 it will have an Autolite / Motorcraft Carburetor or if a GT a twin choke Weber! The VV wasn't fitted to the crossflow; only the Pinto type engines from 1979/80 -MK3 Capri
My first Capri was a mk1 1600 auto. Was an absolute lemon but I loved it. Never started and the inhibitor switch was constantly a problem. I upgraded to a V6 Essex Capri and never had a problem with it for 19 years. Bloody kent engines!!!!
I remember my 1600 GT Capri I bought brand new in 1970 it was red with a black bonnet. It cost new £1200. Thy one thing they were affected by was cross winds , and they switch for the headlights used to get a bit warm, but the dealer told me that was quite normal and not to worry.
My dad had a banana yellow 1973 Mk I 1.6 Capri for a short while around 1989 to 1990. And that's what I learned to drive in. Being a shortarse that was one heck of a bonnet to look over. Loved that car. Alas dad sold it to a collector who left a note on the windscreen.
This takes me back I brought one as my first car which was orange with the black top it was 11 years old ,but looked brand new and drove well as the mileage was low for the year I had it for two years or so ,then sold it for a mark one escort,that I ended up ruining the radiator as I didn’t put any antifreeze so my friend brought this of me then brought a beautiful Audi 100 ,it was 17 years old and had only driving 35 thousand miles always garaged by the old fella who owned it before me,deep burgundy,after about a year someone stole it ,I was so gutted I loved it,so then a scirocco.and I’m now on my 13 th car vow golf.i wish I had been rich enough to have kept them all even if they no longer drove.
I love this video. Brings me back so many memories as a kid when I used to observe all the different cars. This car was one of my favourites till the new shape came out as it was more mean looking.
What an excellent barn/garage find. Such a gorgeous car, straight out of the 70s and a great colour too (why are so many modern cars such boring colours...?). Hopefully with a few replacements, it will be running again, and it doesn't look like too much work (relatively speaking) to get that back on the road! Thanks Jonny & friends.
I spent seven years at Halewood mostly on the PTA Capri line and am well aquatinted with every nook and cranny of them. Door locks,peddle box, etc ad infinitum. 20 cars an hour mostly. Scarred shins from clambering over the raised track 😩. Amazed to see they are collectors pieces nowadays 🙂 Great video thanks.
Wow this brought back memories. Grew up in Brixton South London and in the early 70s as a kid we lived in a small street and 2/3rds of our neighbours were Greek and Cypriot. They had family that would visit that had MK1 Capris done up. We'd be in the street playing football and you'd hear them coming blasting their musical airhorns. They'd pull up and lift the bonnets so us younger kids could see the chrome rocker covers on the V4s. They also had chrome feet for the accelerator, yellow with black vinyl roofs. Can remember the fashion on old Anglias, Mk1 Cortinas and MK1 Capris to put wide steelies on with small chrome centre hub caps and sometines the bigger rally arches and left in primer. Not sure if it was a South London thing but great times. When you wheeled it out the garage and was pointing out the fake vents that side view showed just how good looking the MK1 was, smooth styling. Enjoyed this vid a lot , can you do a follow up whwn its running ?
Johnny….i was at the U.K. launch night for the Capri and our local Dealer Temple Meads Motors of Bristol had a showroom with four cars on display. One was SAE 999G which was an Arizona Gold 2000 GT XLR and as a publicity stunt it was driven from Bristol to Capri in Italy and back.. “ Capri to Capri” was the banner…it was covered in dirt and insects but looked so glamorous. My father went on to buy a new 1600XL in Daytona yellow with black vinyl roof GHT 440K on April 19th 1972 and I bought a later second version being KHU 900L which was October 1972 on exactly the same colour and trim as Dad’s. Sadly a stroke in 1974 meant that he could no longer drive so both cars went to buy a new Cortina 2000e HHU 57 N. These days they are all long gone but if you really want to find a seriously rare Mark 1 then I wish you could find one of the Press cars…the TLN--G plates. I would like the Aubergine 2000 GT XLR THY 942G that I tried to buy in 1971 but the salesman said I was only “ playing about” as he didn’t think I was able to buy it…I was able but walked away and got a Morris 1300 GT instead…WAE 292H….but that is another story! Great barn finding…I hope it has started by now! 😀😀😀😀😀Richard.
Never had a Capri but I spent many hours under the bonnet of my Mk3 Cortina with the 1.6 "Kent" engine. Points are one of the things about 70s cars that I do not miss.
Thank Jonny at least you didn't fudge it of course it will run with a few parts Great to see it will be back on the road some day. Thanks to Panos for sharing his Mk1 Foird Capri
What a find!!!! Clean it up, slap in a 351 Windsor, and you have the classic Ford muscle. You have the best job in the world Jonny, thanks for taking us for the ride
I grew up in Detroit. While I had a Chevette (which I loved!), my best friend had a light blue Capri. No vinyl top. We had so much fun cruising around the city in our cool little cars! Thanks for the memories.
Panos could be Jonny's older brother. Talk about a doppelganger! Thanks for another great episode. It brings back memories of my Canadian 1976 Ford Capri 2.8. I used to hold the hatch up with a sawn off hockey stick. True story.
As an capri fanatic and son of father once owned 73 3ltr gxl facelift and many other mk2s and 3s the joy i experienced when ide seen a mk1 capri barn find episode you made my rather poor day and made it miles better thanks jonny!
Can confirm MK 2 Capri's were sold in the USA as a Mercury. MK 2's were only for the 75-77 model years though. My first car was a 76 Capri with the 2.8L and 4spd manual. Loved that car. This was (another) great one even if you didn't get it running. Hopefully you do a follow up.
2.8 v6 was not even available in Europe up to 1981 when it came in the 2.8 injection Capri with 160 HP The 2.8 was in the last years of the Mk1 in the American market and the Mk2 of course. They had catalytic converters egr and ac in the option list, none of European had. Are you sure it was titled as Mercury ? It was sold by Lincoln/Mercury dealers but was just called Capri and Capri II -- the fox platform Capri was a proper Mercury Capri
I confirm that these cars were popular in Canada, sold as Mercury Capris during the 1970s, and were available at both Ford and Lincoln/Mercury dealerships. Two of my good friends in Toronto had used examples in high school. Both had fallen apart by the time we graduated in 1980. Lots of free time spent trying to keep them running. Of course I sent each a copy of this video.
One of the ColdWarMotors agents up in Alberta has a Capri. Seems they were relatively popular up North. Here's a great little 2 min video of his, with a 5.0 swap out of a Fox Body. Looks like it drops right in.... th-cam.com/video/XxX1R_ug2WY/w-d-xo.html
I had a 1300 XL with a black vinyl roof, in metallic sky blue ! Black interior, took me and my wife all over England, such fond memories, thanks millions, superb episode 👍
My brother in law start off with Standard 10s, the went to Ford Corsairs, then in early 70s went to Mk1 Ford Capris and stuck with the well into the 2000s,he loved them
Fantastic Johnny, you had me hooked after just over 3 minutes in, when you showed a UK launch picture. Out popped my late brother Ted Hemming, white suit and black dickie bow. What a fantastic memory for me. Let's hope Panoz gets it up and running.
Wonderful, I like these old Capris. My one and only barnfind was a '57 Beetle and it started (after sitting for 11 years) just with a new 6V battery at the first attempt. Guess I was just lucky with that... I hope we will see this old Ford running soon.
My first ever car was a mk1 Capri Mk 1 in 1979. Orange, black vinyl roof. I paid £200 for it. It was H reg. and the gear lever,came off in my hand. The nylon threads had stripped so I sorted it out with some metallic putty. Happy days🫢😍
This brought back happy memories of my Mk 1 Capri. It was white and I still remember the registration which was THU 240G which I think is 1969. I bought it around 1975. One of my favourite cars.
Brings back a lot of memories as my first career was a motor trimmer I’ve fitted hundreds of vinyl roofs to the mk1 capri also used to fit those sunroofs too the good old days
That really is in great condition, The underside looks amazing !. Its not going to take much to re-commission that. Full engine service. Refurb all callipers and new brake lines. New set of tyres and off you go. Up yours to the ULEZ !. Brilliant.
Thanks, Jonny, my dad and grandad worked at the Ford(s) plant in Cork. The Capri has always been a favorite of mine. So good to see this old girl see daylight and the hope of driving again ❤
Can't believe that this is the first Capri on this channel. I grew up in Germany and these and the Taunus (Cortina in the English World) were everywhere. I never had a Capri but a had a lot of Taunus. Great memories of the 70's when we were young lads :)
Jonny you find yet again another gem that's been hidden away for decades, I was born in 1975 so i remember capris very well some of my friends had them ,obviously not mk1s but never the less they were just awesome car's. I really miss those days the car's back then had so much more appeal than the horrible electronic filled boring looking car's of today.
1976 I had a Ford Capri Mk 1 GT XLR with the updated dash. Ford orange paintwork with black vinyl roof, GT seats with cloth inserts. Triple coach line on the side fluting. Loved it to bits. The twin choke weber carb if you kept the revs down would run on one side of the carb and on a run to Wales did fantastic MPG. Regretted selling it and remembered when it was to late I had left my Beach Boys cassette in the car.
Mate I think the best colour was orange my dad had the same Carpi best looking car ever made for me you must have thought you were the man in that motor and why not I want to be that man today
My best friend had a 1974 Mercury Capri(USA) and it had a V6 motor that was just fantastic performance. We used to go down this road that went up a hill that had a steeper downhill side. It was a lot steeper on the downhill side and when we timed the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill(80 mph) approach we could reach the top of the hill at 60 mph and become airborne with ease. Beers were involved. Evidently car engines were tested back then for durability by running them at redline until they blew up. They gave up on the Mercury Capri V6 as well as Volvo 4 cyl. engines.
My friend, after seeing this video, wishes he still had his MK1 1971 3.0 square headlight Broadspeed Bullit Capri… a 130 mph car from the 70s was just incredible to see and drive... Fast was an understatement.. Great video 👍
While working in Germany in 1969, I bought a Mk1 Capri 2.0 which in Germany was a V6. I brought it back to England (on German 'Zoll-plates') and stopped for fuel at the Meteor Ford garage in Birmingham, where several mechanics swarmed around it, to check out the engine (as the Uk 2.0 was a v4). I drove it for 10 years (including a trip to 'Leningrad' as it was then called). The biggest problem was that all the weight was at the front (on a rear-wheel drive car). I had a 50kg bag of sand in the boot to get traction in winter. On one icy day, I got up to 4th gear while standing still!!
Jonny, I've learned everything I know about bringing an old car back to life from you (and Greg). Don't be down on yourself when one just has too many problems.
Always thought the Capri floor pan was unique to itself , despite using similar/same parts / suspension as in front struts and leaf springs of the Mk2 Cortina . The 1600E Cortina had effectively, the Mk 2 Lotus Cortina suspension, same design but lowered slightly. Don’t know what other differences the Capri had compared to Cortina’s , suspension wise, but possible small differences. Be worth getting this one going , especially Capri prices as they are.if the condenser has gone , it’s simultaneously blown the points , one protects the other, , hence spark performance on / off, replace the pair of them think you’ll have result. Good luck .
In 1973 me and a few friends were looking to down size from our big gas hog Muscle cars and I kind of led the pack. We all looked at and test drove the following. Capri - Celica -2002 - Opel Manta -Vega. My brother bought the Vega GT, a friend bought the Celica, I bought an Opel Manta 'Blue Max' special and another friend bought the Capri with the V6 in the same green as the featured car. My choice was between the Opel and the Capri, but it came down to handling and the Opel was much better at that then all the others. The Celica was the worst but had the most power. My Opel had the least power, best handling and ride and just seemed more solid and safe, and was the only one with a sun roof. I really like the Capri with the green & tan interior. I later picked up new Opel Manta wagon. Both great cars and fun to drive.
I had a 1972 Capri 2600 V6 5spd. The first new car I ever bought (green over camel). Great car, but then the kids started coming. In the end I spent more on replacing the struts than the car was worth (1978). Sold off..
Great find Johnny , brings back memories of my first car a white K REG MK1 CAPRI 1600 XL brought for around £200 in 1986 all original paint apart from ,like this one a new wing that was painted a different shade of white but somehow it didn’t matter 😊 makes me laugh when I think of the rubber foot button on the floor by the clutch you had to press for the windscreen washers to work ,,or not . CHEERS .
As a child in the 70’s here in Canada I well remember our neighbour’s bought their teenage son a yellow Mercury Capri (as Jonny correctly points out they were sold as Merc’s in North America) and I thought it was the coolest car I’d ever seen. I don’t recall seeing many of these around at the time so I don’t know if it was ever a big seller here but man, that was a really good looking car 😊
Fantastic!!! What a lovely down to earth fella. Makes me wonder though, just how many cars are locked away in garages like this up and down the country. Garages that no one knows are there. Out of sight for decades.
Had 2 in the late 80's, a rust bucket manual 3.0 S that I put a Ghia interior into which only a few months later failed so badly on it's MOT that it had to be scrapped, and a 1.6 GTS (JP Special). I can't even remember what happened to the JPS, but man, I thought I was the bees knees cruising around in that ☺I wish I still had it stashed away in a garage now. This episode really took me back to a happy place !
I grew up in New Zealand in the late 80’s early 90’s being driven to school in a mk1 capri. From memory it was a 2 litre GT with a bulge in the bonnet and bigger rear light clusters. Unfortunately it took a fairly minor impact in the rear corner, and after that it sat in the driveway for a few years as it couldn’t pass our version of an MOT with that damage. I remember my dad selling it for $300 (£145) a few months before I got my license, and the new owner drove it away (probably laughing). 30 years later and even examples in average condition regularly sell for $20k-$30k here - around £9500 to £14500.
Go see eye doctor :P The interior is middle good, not mint. Door card is torn and wrinkled, on rear pillar headliner is folded from moist, headliner won't go down, it goes hard as a rock and it's just a material on a metal rods Also parcel shelf under the dashboard is missing and driver seat you can see the inner sponge going out in 9:04
In the words of Johnny's favorite musical artist DJ Khaled....
ANOTHER ONE ☝🏻
I seem to remember him digging classic Gary Numan. 😎✌
He's not a musical artist realy
I thought Faraday Past was his favourite!
No idea why Johnny does not take a mechanic with him and he can just talk to the owner ....even become a member of the AA might help 😉😃🤭🙄😊
There are plenty of barn find videos on TH-cam, but none hold a candle to Jonny. Regardless of the car, it's the genuine enthusiasm, compassion, expertise and interest (in both the people and the machines), which makes a Jonny Barn Find just that extra bit special. An absolute gem of a channel and a gem of a chap!
Part of the enjoyment of these videos is that Johnny is not an real expert mechanic/historian/whatever but nor does he ever pretend to be one - he checks his notes, tries the procedures and tricks he knows (many more than I know) and hopes for the best.
All part of what makes these so genuine and enjoyable.
Agreed. They are always good, but why do people like to keep old matresses?
It's a nice example of UK content over the US. No loud guitar riffs, fake hyper- enthusiasm, quick cut editing, and manufacturered drama. Just telling us about the car and showing the work.
The thing I absolutely love about these barnfind episodes is the way Jonny treats the people with respect and humanity. There are not many presenters out there, especially in the automotive world who would be able to do this without just making a bunch of snide, condescending comments for "laughs". Sometimes we see that kind of purile behavior in the comments, but it isn't welcomed. I really appreciate this and I think it's exactly why so many people are inviting him into what potentially could be a vulnerable, embarrasing, or emotionally difficult situation.
This is an interesting car that I don't think I've ever seen in the states... here it seems to have been superceded by the Maverick. But considering that the Maverick's I saw as a kid were completely rusted out 40 years ago, I have a hard time believing many of those Capri's survived.
Very well put. There are many different emotions attached to these cars. And the owners or custodians need to feel happy with the person they are dealing with ❤
Good parenting goes a long way
As a long term Mk 1 Capri owner, this ep has been very special. Thanks Jonny for one of the consistently best channels out there
Really appreciate this coming from a Capri enthusiast. Much appreciated. Best, Jonny
Me too been waiting since he mentioned this find in December..I own 2 1971 mk1's one built in Germany the other one was built in South Africa and took years to find.
@@davidgalea6113
Nice! Had a mk2 in 80s then a 2.0 lazer in 90s. Gutted now I got rid, would Love another one. 😊
Wish I had mine .a 1600gt a mk1 3.0 and a mk2 3.0s 😢
The only thing us total fans are shouting at you Johnny is encouragement! These barn finds are pure, unadulaterated GOLD! Thank you for everything that you do 👍
YEP, the "barns" are great, it`s just sometimes the vehicles inside them that doesn`t "RAISE THE ROOF".......................
As a 12yr old in 1969, i remember seeing my first Ford Capri, the school caretaker purchased a basic 1300cc Silver Capri.
To us kids it had the wow factor and looked so futuristic.
From my experience of such cars ‘in period’, I reckon a set of points, condenser, distributor cap, coil and plug leads should be in the toolbox as a matter of course.
My dad worked with an eccentric character in the 70's early 80's. He had rare motorbikes, a jukebox in his lounge way before any of this was 'standard'. My dad would tell me stories how the guy used to walk on stilts at diner time, better than anyone could walk on the ground. He also would sleep in motorbike leathers to stretch them. He also could walk then do a backflip.
He also had a massive garage in his garden, that had central heating in it years before we had it our house! Long story short he purchased a white cortina brand new, drove it home and its never left the garage since. It honestly must be a museum piece, he still lives 10 mins away. He and my dad are now in their eighties.
As others have mentioned, I really like the respectful and genuine way that Johnny reacts and responds to the owners and their stories. So easy to make snide comments about the junk and mattresses and so forth but he avoids the cheap gimmicks and focusses on the car and the story. Really growing on me, these barn finds.
Good parenting.
As a Capri MK3 owner, loved this, Panos is Greek, greetings from Greece
The MK2 was also sold in the States as a Mercury Capri, the last model year was 1977
🍺
Yes, the Mk II was sold here, no, not as a Mercury, just 'Capri' (actually 'Capri II' for the Mk II cars.. But sold at Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
@@soggytom It's worth conceding that many of these were titled by the folks at the titling office as "Mercury Capri".
@@stanwbaker Wouldn't surprise me.
Unlucky Jonny, but great vid
I can't help but think that the security alarm may be involved in the inability to start. Though Panos said he thought he disconnected it, it's probably worth checking.
80s demobilizers are the Bain of Barn Finds
Yeah I fitted more than my fair share of those things. The really cheap ones just put an extra switch between the key and the car.
The only thing that should be shouted at you Jonny is " more please " our barn find hero 👏 would love to see that Capri restored so much potential
Amazing how simple and uncluttered these older engine bays are.
Modern cars are so intimidating!
My dad drove a Mk1 Capri, silver with black vinyl roof, in the '70s and as a young lad sitting in the back, I remember being mesmerised by the shape of the rear windows.
Beautiful. I had a metallic blue 1973 Capri 3 litre GT Automatic - 'L' registration. It was a gorgeous car and it broke my heart to part with it in 1980.
I love watching the way Jonny not just loves these barn finds or wherever they may be but he loves to find out the history of the cars owners and the lives that car may of made some memories with. It's great if the car hasn't ran in a few years and he gets it running with either the current owner of said car or the knew owner of a car that's still in the same 👨👨👧👧 love it, i 🤔 he needs to patent the CAN OF HOPE , might be a good seller 😁, great videos Jonny keep them coming 👍👍
Currently its very windy and raining outside, but I have a warm brew and biscuits whilst watching another cracking LateBrakeShow vid inside. I love these episodes and the stories that go with them. Certainly wish my dad was still around he'd have loved this, he regularly mentioned his Capri MK1 and his love for it. Thanks Jonny and team.
I bought a 72 Mk1 facelift in 1985 for 100 quid while I visited the UK from Australia, it took me the length and breadth of the British Isles for 12 months, not one single headache until it was stolen from a pub car park in Leicestershire. I absolutely loved it, great times. Thanks Johnny... 🇦🇺🇬🇧
Jonny, you brought back memories of my youth, adjusting the carbs on my old Datsun and changing the plugs, then calling my brother to get sage advice when the motor was running rough. Thank you for sharing these stories.
Superb Johnny.... We had a guy who owned a light metallic blue Mk1 Capri in the 70s the only one in our neighborhood. It was the coolest looking thing and still the image in my head is as clear as yesterday
You need to take a few obvious spares with you on these. You got around the fuel supply problem with the Can of Hope, but a set of leads can be pretty universal and maybe just splash on points , rotor arm for each car ? At £20 or so, would also make a nice thank you donation to the owner.
Johnny, when you get an engine that's sat for years and years, put a little ATF down each spark plug hole and turn it over a full 2 rotations by hand to make sure nothing binds So easy for a valve to be stuck open and if you crank it on the starter you'll likely bend it needlessly. The ATF will help lube what will be a very dry and likely slightly rusted bore.
Very good point also the combustion chamber is in the piston so most of what Jonny squirted in the plughole is probably just sitting in the combustion chamber on top of the piston.
@@Crazy_Dave some Kent engines have flat top pistons and some don't. Cannot be sure what we have here. Still worth a spray of ATF through the plug hole, aimed at the cylinder wall if you can before starting it up
Exactly makes me winze when not done. The damage done to the internal surfaces 😢
Such a nice thing to see you try and help the owners get the car going again. Even without it starting he knows it's worth the bit of effort and spend to get it working again. I'd love to see this cruising round London 👍
My first car was a Mark I Capri 2000 built in Cologne, Germany. In America they were sold in Mercury dealerships (along side Pantaras) but they didn't have any Mercury markings. The hood (bonnet) had Capri instead of Ford across the front. We had the power bulge hood and 4 round headlights with turn indicators on the grill for all models. We also got some Mark II Capris with the hatch back, but instead of the Mark III we got re-badged Mustangs starting in 1979.
WOW jonnie love the channel, I had a capri as my first car, which was a H reg 70 V4 2.0L auto, which I converted to an Essex V6 3.0L, but I have to say, that 1600 cross flow was the best ever engine ford put in its range, it was bullet proof, even the over head cam pinto had its issues with the drip rail over the cam made the cam fail, I also had capri M reg 3.0Lmk2 and a W reg 2.0L mk3, you just took me back to 18 years old, thanks to the viewers who make this magic happen.
4:54 - From one of your fans in the US..I love a good cuppa hot tea on a cold afternoon, but in the morning there's nothing like coffee for me! We did get the Mk.1 Capri in the US, you're right that it was sold through the "Mercury" luxo brand..but it was so different than their other offerings that the dealerships hated them. Older friend of mine that bought a '70 new said that he had to take it to an independent garage to have it serviced (even before the warranty expired) because the mechanics at the dealer absolutely refused to work on it. "Yoo shudda 'boutta 'Merikun" was a thing back then, even before the 'Japanese Invasion' during the '74 OPEC oil crisis here. Rough times for Americans who wanted cars that would go where we pointed them, and stopped when we told them to. 😆
Jonny, it would probably be a good idea to get a box of old ignition bits and pieces together to take with your can of hope for the barn finds! I'm sure folks would supply you with various points, condensers, coils etc. Just an idea 💡!
Was thinking the same. Maybe go to a bootsale for a chance to get a lot of parts at once and maybe cheap.
My great uncle had a three litre mark 1, it was the coolest thing ever when I was 8 years old. He sold it in the early 90s and was contacted by the old bill shortly after to identify the buyers cos It had been used in a bank robbery!
I inherited my fathers 1972 mk1 1600 pre-facelift. Just 57k on the clock. Looking forward too getting it out in the spring. Currently changing the awful vv carb for a twin Weber. Excellent video.
If it's a 1972 it will have an Autolite / Motorcraft Carburetor or if a GT a twin choke Weber! The VV wasn't fitted to the crossflow; only the Pinto type engines from 1979/80 -MK3 Capri
That's what I thought when I read VV. My old man had one on his early Sierra. @@mikemartin2957
My first Capri was a mk1 1600 auto. Was an absolute lemon but I loved it. Never started and the inhibitor switch was constantly a problem.
I upgraded to a V6 Essex Capri and never had a problem with it for 19 years. Bloody kent engines!!!!
I remember my 1600 GT Capri I bought brand new in 1970 it was red with a black bonnet. It cost new £1200. Thy one thing they were affected by was cross winds , and they switch for the headlights used to get a bit warm, but the dealer told me that was quite normal and not to worry.
My dad had a banana yellow 1973 Mk I 1.6 Capri for a short while around 1989 to 1990. And that's what I learned to drive in. Being a shortarse that was one heck of a bonnet to look over. Loved that car. Alas dad sold it to a collector who left a note on the windscreen.
This takes me back I brought one as my first car which was orange with the black top it was 11 years old ,but looked brand new and drove well as the mileage was low for the year I had it for two years or so ,then sold it for a mark one escort,that I ended up ruining the radiator as I didn’t put any antifreeze so my friend brought this of me then brought a beautiful Audi 100 ,it was 17 years old and had only driving 35 thousand miles always garaged by the old fella who owned it before me,deep burgundy,after about a year someone stole it ,I was so gutted I loved it,so then a scirocco.and I’m now on my 13 th car vow golf.i wish I had been rich enough to have kept them all even if they no longer drove.
Another cracking barn find revival, thank you Johnny and the LB team.
I'd love, love, love to see a Late Brake Show x Vice Grip Garage collaboration.
This channel is the best car show I’ve ever seen. The very sort of thing I like from the new to the old. Just so genuine. Keep it going Jonny!
I had a 1972 Capri 2000 manual 4 spd. It was my first car and I learned to drive a manual on it. Was a great car for its time.
I love this video. Brings me back so many memories as a kid when I used to observe all the different cars. This car was one of my favourites till the new shape came out as it was more mean looking.
What an excellent barn/garage find. Such a gorgeous car, straight out of the 70s and a great colour too (why are so many modern cars such boring colours...?). Hopefully with a few replacements, it will be running again, and it doesn't look like too much work (relatively speaking) to get that back on the road! Thanks Jonny & friends.
Hi Johnny. A wee tip. Never use abrasive on points, it sheds powder which holds the points open. You must use a small, fine file to keep it all clean.
Ahhhh...back in bed, watching Late Brake....bliss...I could honetly watch Late Brake barn find video's.....forever.
I spent seven years at Halewood mostly on the PTA Capri line and am well aquatinted with every nook and cranny of them. Door locks,peddle box, etc ad infinitum. 20 cars an hour mostly. Scarred shins from clambering over the raised track 😩. Amazed to see they are collectors pieces nowadays 🙂 Great video thanks.
You're correct. Mercury Capri. A friend had one with a 2600cc, 4 speed, rear pop out windows and a Sunroof. Fabulous car...
Wow this brought back memories. Grew up in Brixton South London and in the early 70s as a kid we lived in a small street and 2/3rds of our neighbours were Greek and Cypriot. They had family that would visit that had MK1 Capris done up. We'd be in the street playing football and you'd hear them coming blasting their musical airhorns. They'd pull up and lift the bonnets so us younger kids could see the chrome rocker covers on the V4s. They also had chrome feet for the accelerator, yellow with black vinyl roofs.
Can remember the fashion on old Anglias, Mk1 Cortinas and MK1 Capris to put wide steelies on with small chrome centre hub caps and sometines the bigger rally arches and left in primer. Not sure if it was a South London thing but great times.
When you wheeled it out the garage and was pointing out the fake vents that side view showed just how good looking the MK1 was, smooth styling.
Enjoyed this vid a lot , can you do a follow up whwn its running ?
Johnny….i was at the U.K. launch night for the Capri and our local Dealer Temple Meads Motors of Bristol had a showroom with four cars on display. One was SAE 999G which was an Arizona Gold 2000 GT XLR and as a publicity stunt it was driven from Bristol to Capri in Italy and back.. “ Capri to Capri” was the banner…it was covered in dirt and insects but looked so glamorous. My father went on to buy a new 1600XL in Daytona yellow with black vinyl roof GHT 440K on April 19th 1972 and I bought a later second version being KHU 900L which was October 1972 on exactly the same colour and trim as Dad’s. Sadly a stroke in 1974 meant that he could no longer drive so both cars went to buy a new Cortina 2000e HHU 57 N. These days they are all long gone but if you really want to find a seriously rare Mark 1 then I wish you could find one of the Press cars…the TLN--G plates. I would like the Aubergine 2000 GT XLR THY 942G that I tried to buy in 1971 but the salesman said I was only “ playing about” as he didn’t think I was able to buy it…I was able but walked away and got a Morris 1300 GT instead…WAE 292H….but that is another story! Great barn finding…I hope it has started by now! 😀😀😀😀😀Richard.
Never had a Capri but I spent many hours under the bonnet of my Mk3 Cortina with the 1.6 "Kent" engine. Points are one of the things about 70s cars that I do not miss.
Jonny bloody HATES points
Thank Jonny at least you didn't fudge it of course it will run with a few parts Great to see it will be back on the road some day. Thanks to Panos for sharing his Mk1 Foird Capri
What a find!!!! Clean it up, slap in a 351 Windsor, and you have the classic Ford muscle. You have the best job in the world Jonny, thanks for taking us for the ride
As a fellow green jacket from Costco owner, I applaud this man's styling. 👍
love Costco ❤
I grew up in Detroit. While I had a Chevette (which I loved!), my best friend had a light blue Capri. No vinyl top. We had so much fun cruising around the city in our cool little cars! Thanks for the memories.
I love the MK1 Capri. My dad had a canary yellow 1.6. I used to drive it pretending I was Steve Mc Queen driving through the Queensway Birmingham
Nikki carbs were sold in catalogues like kays and Littlewoods.
I got one for my mk1 Escort estate.
Panos could be Jonny's older brother. Talk about a doppelganger!
Thanks for another great episode. It brings back memories of my Canadian 1976 Ford Capri 2.8. I used to hold the hatch up with a sawn off hockey stick. True story.
As an capri fanatic and son of father once owned 73 3ltr gxl facelift and many other mk2s and 3s the joy i experienced when ide seen a mk1 capri barn find episode you made my rather poor day and made it miles better thanks jonny!
Looks like after a good clean and a bit of recommission work this would make a very usable classic
Can confirm MK 2 Capri's were sold in the USA as a Mercury. MK 2's were only for the 75-77 model years though. My first car was a 76 Capri with the 2.8L and 4spd manual. Loved that car. This was (another) great one even if you didn't get it running. Hopefully you do a follow up.
2.8 v6 was not even available in Europe up to 1981 when it came in the 2.8 injection Capri with 160 HP
The 2.8 was in the last years of the Mk1 in the American market and the Mk2 of course. They had catalytic converters egr and ac in the option list, none of European had.
Are you sure it was titled as Mercury ? It was sold by Lincoln/Mercury dealers but was just called Capri and Capri II -- the fox platform Capri was a proper Mercury Capri
I confirm that these cars were popular in Canada, sold as Mercury Capris during the 1970s, and were available at both Ford and Lincoln/Mercury dealerships. Two of my good friends in Toronto had used examples in high school. Both had fallen apart by the time we graduated in 1980. Lots of free time spent trying to keep them running. Of course I sent each a copy of this video.
I had a light blue 1976 4 speed 2.8l Ford Capri in Calgary, back in about 1984. Paid $600 for it. Loved that car.
One of the ColdWarMotors agents up in Alberta has a Capri. Seems they were relatively popular up North. Here's a great little 2 min video of his, with a 5.0 swap out of a Fox Body. Looks like it drops right in....
th-cam.com/video/XxX1R_ug2WY/w-d-xo.html
Great to see an old Capri and looking so well for its age. Nice to hear it's going to be revived and used.
My dad got a Capri 1600XL in 1970 - all white! Our neighbour who had a Mk2 Cortina was so jealous!
I had a 1300 XL with a black vinyl roof, in metallic sky blue ! Black interior, took me and my wife all over England, such fond memories, thanks millions, superb episode 👍
I had a 1969 Capri 1600GT in Roman Bronze, beige interior. 1.6 ohv engine, Weber carb, tubular exhaust manifold. 4 speed gearbox, Rostyle Wheels /165r 13 tyres.
My brother in law start off with Standard 10s, the went to Ford Corsairs, then in early 70s went to Mk1 Ford Capris and stuck with the well into the 2000s,he loved them
I had a 74' (Mercury) Capri 2.3L w/4 speed. Thing was drop dead reliable. Easy to maintain. I'd have another.
Fantastic Johnny, you had me hooked after just over 3 minutes in, when you showed a UK launch picture. Out popped my late brother Ted Hemming, white suit and black dickie bow. What a fantastic memory for me. Let's hope Panoz gets it up and running.
Wonderful, I like these old Capris. My one and only barnfind was a '57 Beetle and it started (after sitting for 11 years) just with a new 6V battery at the first attempt. Guess I was just lucky with that... I hope we will see this old Ford running soon.
Once again. Totally fantastic. Jonny delivers every time
Thanks for watching!
That capri looks so good without the bumper on
My first ever car was a mk1 Capri Mk 1 in 1979. Orange, black vinyl roof. I paid £200 for it. It was H reg. and the gear lever,came off in my hand. The nylon threads had stripped so I sorted it out with some metallic putty. Happy days🫢😍
Love the interior and exterior colour combo and the chrome hubcap on steelies. Very nice!
This brought back happy memories of my Mk 1 Capri. It was white and I still remember the registration which was THU 240G which I think is 1969. I bought it around 1975. One of my favourite cars.
Brings back a lot of memories as my first career was a motor trimmer I’ve fitted hundreds of vinyl roofs to the mk1 capri also used to fit those sunroofs too the good old days
That really is in great condition, The underside looks amazing !. Its not going to take much to re-commission that. Full engine service. Refurb all callipers and new brake lines. New set of tyres and off you go. Up yours to the ULEZ !. Brilliant.
Wouldn't be surprised if the auto transmission needs some attention too. Way more likely to have problems than a manual after sitting for 40 years.
Thanks, Jonny, my dad and grandad worked at the Ford(s) plant in Cork. The Capri has always been a favorite of mine. So good to see this old girl see daylight and the hope of driving again ❤
Can't believe that this is the first Capri on this channel. I grew up in Germany and these and the Taunus (Cortina in the English World) were everywhere. I never had a Capri but a had a lot of Taunus. Great memories of the 70's when we were young lads :)
Jonny had a '73 Taunus Coupe
Stunning Car 🚙, i have always loved the Capri. Love the show too of course, great work Jonny.
I absolutely love the pre-facelift Mk1 Capri - there's not that many about. 😍
We thought the same. Mk1 early Capris surely are seldom seen now?
@@TheLateBrakeShow They only made it for 2 years before the facelift in 1971, so there were never that many to begin with.
Great episode, brought back so many memories of the 2.0 V4 I owned back in the mid seventies I think it was UTB 173H. Thank you Johnny
Jonny you find yet again another gem that's been hidden away for decades, I was born in 1975 so i remember capris very well some of my friends had them ,obviously not mk1s but never the less they were just awesome car's.
I really miss those days the car's back then had so much more appeal than the horrible electronic filled boring looking car's of today.
1976 I had a Ford Capri Mk 1 GT XLR with the updated dash. Ford orange paintwork with black vinyl roof, GT seats with cloth inserts. Triple coach line on the side fluting. Loved it to bits. The twin choke weber carb if you kept the revs down would run on one side of the carb and on a run to Wales did fantastic MPG. Regretted selling it and remembered when it was to late I had left my Beach Boys cassette in the car.
Mate I think the best colour was orange my dad had the same Carpi best looking car ever made for me you must have thought you were the man in that motor and why not I want to be that man today
You're quite right especially with the Beach boys blasting away.
@@Martin-kl1vk
My best friend had a 1974 Mercury Capri(USA) and it had a V6 motor that was just fantastic performance. We used to go down this road that went up a hill that had a steeper downhill side. It was a lot steeper on the downhill side and when we timed the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill(80 mph) approach we could reach the top of the hill at 60 mph and become airborne with ease. Beers were involved. Evidently car engines were tested back then for durability by running them at redline until they blew up. They gave up on the Mercury Capri V6 as well as Volvo 4 cyl. engines.
My friend, after seeing this video, wishes he still had his MK1 1971 3.0 square headlight Broadspeed Bullit Capri… a 130 mph car from the 70s was just incredible to see and drive... Fast was an understatement.. Great video 👍
While working in Germany in 1969, I bought a Mk1 Capri 2.0 which in Germany was a V6. I brought it back to England (on German 'Zoll-plates') and stopped for fuel at the Meteor Ford garage in Birmingham, where several mechanics swarmed around it, to check out the engine (as the Uk 2.0 was a v4). I drove it for 10 years (including a trip to 'Leningrad' as it was then called). The biggest problem was that all the weight was at the front (on a rear-wheel drive car). I had a 50kg bag of sand in the boot to get traction in winter. On one icy day, I got up to 4th gear while standing still!!
Jonny, I've learned everything I know about bringing an old car back to life from you (and Greg). Don't be down on yourself when one just has too many problems.
Your channel really is one of the best around.
🥃🍺😘
Always thought the Capri floor pan was unique to itself , despite using similar/same parts / suspension as in front struts and leaf springs of the Mk2 Cortina . The 1600E Cortina had effectively, the Mk 2 Lotus Cortina suspension, same design but lowered slightly. Don’t know what other differences the Capri had compared to Cortina’s , suspension wise, but possible small differences. Be worth getting this one going , especially Capri prices as they are.if the condenser has gone , it’s simultaneously blown the points , one protects the other, , hence spark performance on / off, replace the pair of them think you’ll have result. Good luck .
I had the podcast on in the van while picking step son up from school, all swans now are known as Greg’s 😂😂😂
Bring out the fleece!!!!!!
Close to my heart The Capri! More models please!!❤️😎👍🏻
In 1973 me and a few friends were looking to down size from our big gas hog Muscle cars and I kind of led the pack. We all looked at and test drove the following. Capri - Celica -2002 - Opel Manta -Vega.
My brother bought the Vega GT, a friend bought the Celica, I bought an Opel Manta 'Blue Max' special and another friend bought the Capri with the V6 in the same green as the featured car. My choice was between the Opel and the Capri, but it came down to handling and the Opel was much better at that then all the others. The Celica was the worst but had the most power. My Opel had the least power, best handling and ride and just seemed more solid and safe, and was the only one with a sun roof. I really like the Capri with the green & tan interior. I later picked up new Opel Manta wagon. Both great cars and fun to drive.
I still shop in C and A from time to time. They disappeared from the U.K. streets back in the ‘80s but still thrive in Europe.
I had a 1972 Capri 2600 V6 5spd. The first new car I ever bought (green over camel). Great car, but then the kids started coming. In the end I spent more on replacing the struts than the car was worth (1978). Sold off..
Great find Johnny , brings back memories of my first car a white K REG MK1 CAPRI 1600 XL brought for around £200 in 1986 all original paint apart from ,like this one a new wing that was painted a different shade of white but somehow it didn’t matter 😊 makes me laugh when I think of the rubber foot button on the floor by the clutch you had to press for the windscreen washers to work ,,or not . CHEERS .
My first car here in Canada was a 1973 Capri !! Damn I loved that car !!!
As a child in the 70’s here in Canada I well remember our neighbour’s bought their teenage son a yellow Mercury Capri (as Jonny correctly points out they were sold as Merc’s in North America) and I thought it was the coolest car I’d ever seen. I don’t recall seeing many of these around at the time so I don’t know if it was ever a big seller here but man, that was a really good looking car 😊
Fantastic!!! What a lovely down to earth fella.
Makes me wonder though, just how many cars are locked away in garages like this up and down the country. Garages that no one knows are there. Out of sight for decades.
Had 2 in the late 80's, a rust bucket manual 3.0 S that I put a Ghia interior into which only a few months later failed so badly on it's MOT that it had to be scrapped, and a 1.6 GTS (JP Special). I can't even remember what happened to the JPS, but man, I thought I was the bees knees cruising around in that ☺I wish I still had it stashed away in a garage now. This episode really took me back to a happy place !
I grew up in New Zealand in the late 80’s early 90’s being driven to school in a mk1 capri. From memory it was a 2 litre GT with a bulge in the bonnet and bigger rear light clusters.
Unfortunately it took a fairly minor impact in the rear corner, and after that it sat in the driveway for a few years as it couldn’t pass our version of an MOT with that damage.
I remember my dad selling it for $300 (£145) a few months before I got my license, and the new owner drove it away (probably laughing).
30 years later and even examples in average condition regularly sell for $20k-$30k here - around £9500 to £14500.
I had a Mk1 2.0GT as my first car. Took my test in it in 1986. White with no vinyl roof. Loved it.
I had a 74 Mercury Capri. It had a 2.0 4 cylinder 4 speed manual. It ran like a champ man !
That interior is mint. Can’t believe the headliner isn’t an old man’s clackerbag spec
😂
😂😂
Go see eye doctor :P The interior is middle good, not mint. Door card is torn and wrinkled, on rear pillar headliner is folded from moist, headliner won't go down, it goes hard as a rock and it's just a material on a metal rods
Also parcel shelf under the dashboard is missing and driver seat you can see the inner sponge going out in 9:04
Ahh my first car a 1972 3litre GTV6 auto in Bronze with cream vinyl roof and brown interior, had it 18 yrs. Thanks for showing this 1😊
Loved it Johnny but there are occasions when you should give your brother some wedge and drag him along for the ride!!😂
If only he was always available..
Another Fantastic Episode Jonny, shame you could not get it to start, but glad to see the owner going to use when it is up and running.