A FORD Capri police car bought for just £500 has been lovingly restored with working sirens.
Paul Walsh restored the iconic cop motor after being found abandoned in a garage in Birmingham.
Paul Walsh/MENPaul Walsh found the Capri in decaying state[/caption]
Paul Walsh/MENHe restored the iconic vehicle into its original state[/caption]
The Ford Capri was first launched in 1969 and it was described by manufacturers as “the car you always promised yourself”.
The fast motor boasted a classic six cylinder 2.8i and it originally sold for just £8,995.
After more than 50 years of patrolling the streets, the vehicle ended in a garage in The Black Country.
Paul, 58, from North Wales said: “I already owned a 3 litre S Capri, and then a Capri specialist in Doncaster told me he had had a tip that there was a car in the Midlands.
“I knew from the registration it was an ex-police car.
“It was just a shell, but was in a covered area, and we said okay, let’s have it and source all the parts we need.”
“It had nine owners after the police and looked like it had been cannibalised for parts for other vehicles.”
After buying the shell for £500, Paul spent 12 months rebuilding the D444 KVM to pristine condition.
SM Classic Car Restoration and pal Carl McKenna also helped source new parts to bring the famous car back to life.
He completely transformed the iconic vehicle by fitting a new gear box, rear axle, fuel tank, brakes, front springs, rear shock absorbers and an anti roll bar.
The car is now insured for £20,000 after Paul’s labour of love.
He added: “I had to source the right equipment as well – the blue light – the correct one, and the radio aerial
“The radio came from a chap in the east of the country who had loads of ex-police radio equipment, and he had the right one on a shelf.
“I got a siren too, but the hardest thing to find was the rear ‘stop’ box that fits on the boot and illuminates.
“A firm in Doncaster did the GMP graphics for the side of the car – the badge and the orange and blue stripe.”
The proud cars enthusiast now drives the Capri around public roads – but he always make sure to protect the iconic siren.
Paul said: “I put a black plastic bag over the siren and the wiring is disconnected so the siren can’t be triggered”, he said.
“This summer it will be touring to several shows. We took it to one on Rhos-on-Sea recently and the reaction from the public was terrific, from Mancunians and ex-bobbies who were there.”
It comes as another abandoned 40-year-old classic car left in amazing condition was found by an enthusiast.
A stunning Ford Capri 2.8 Laser was found in a barn in Portsmouth, Hampshire, by YouTuber IMSTOKZE – who uploaded the find on his channel.
Meanwhile, car fans were left outraged after seeing pictures of the new version of the Ford Capri.
The beloved classic motor is set to make a comeback next year with some pretty radical changes.
MEN MediaThe Capri was first launch in the 1960s[/caption]
GMPThe car was once a popular police vehicle[/caption]