Pair of Ford Capris from a ’70s hit TV series tipped to smash price record

What’s better than one immaculate – and famous – Ford Capri? Two of them.

The pair of eighties coupes are set to go under the hammer at a classic car auction next month, having originally been used in one of Britain’s most-loved crime drama series that ran through the late seventies to the early eighties.

The two-car lot is expected to fetch a whopping £230,000 when the hammer. And if they do it will set a new record for the highest price paid for this particular version of Ford’s iconic classic model.

But do you recognise which TV series they’re from? 

Famous Fords: This pair of 1980 Carpis have featured on TV screens in a hit ITV show. Now they’re being auctioned off to the highest bidder in a single lot – and could smash records

The pair of Capris featured in cult ITV show ‘The Professionals’ and were driven by characters Raymond Doyle (played by Martin Shaw) and William Andrew Philip Bodie (played by Lewis Collins).

Having been retained in a private collection for the last 16 years, they will soon be offered to the highest bidder as a single lot at Silverstone Festival on 25 August.

The pre-auction estimate for both cars ranges between £200,000 to £230,000, which would see it smash the existing record amount paid for a 3.0 S Capri.

That currently standards at £55,000 in 2016, which was also another Bodie-driven Capri from the same show.

The Professionals with Martin Shaw as Doyle (left) and Lewis Collins as Bodie (right) was on our screens across five series from 1977 to 1983

The Capris (Bodie’s left and Doyle’s right) featured in series four of the hit show. The vendor and auction house agreed the pair should be kept together in a single collection

Both cars set to be sold next month featured regularly in the show that aired from 1977 to 1983. 

At the hands of Bodie – the ex-paratrooper, mercenary and SAS sergeant – the Strato Silver Capri was a firm favourite among fans. This particular version is said to have been used in seven episodes in series four. 

In fact, ‘OWC 827V’ has the distinction of racking up the most screen time all of the cars used in the five series of The Professionals. 

And the second Capri, ‘OAR 576V’ – allocated to Shaw who played Doyle – also went on to feature in 10 episodes in the same series.

The vendor and auction house responsible for selling the vehicles have agreed that the duo should always be kept together in a single collection, which is why they are offered as a pair rather than single lots that could see them being split up.

Arwel Richards of Silverstone Auctions, comments: ‘Ford Capris are among the hottest modern-classic cars for collectors right now and when you add in the fact that these two Capris featured in the much-loved cult TV show you’re onto a winner.’

Bodie’s Capri, which was first registered on 4 June 1980 and – under Ford’s request – wore false registration plates ‘OWC 827W’ on screen so that the vehicle appeared new on the first TV transmission date of series 4 on 19 October 1980

The Strato Silver Capri was a firm favourite among fans. This particular version is said to have been used in seven episodes in series four. In fact, ‘OWC 827V’ has the distinction of racking up the most screen time all of the cars used in the five series of The Professionals

Bodie’s Capri, which was first registered on 4 June 1980, was loaned to Mark 1 Productions Ltd for the filming of series four. 

Ford stipulated that the car was to wear the false registration plate ‘OWC 827W’ on screen, so that the vehicle appeared new on the first TV transmission date of series four on 19 October 1980. 

Production notes and filming schedules confirm the car’s original ‘V’ registration.

This Capri shows as having covered only 53,939 miles in its lifetime and is sold with a detailed history file, original registration document, receipts and memorabilia

In 2021, the Bodie Capri underwent a full restoration with ‘a meticulous attention to detail, retaining many original features, mostly notably the interior,’ the sale description notes

It was bought by the vendor in October 2007 and recently (2021) underwent a ‘sympathetic restoration.

This was conducted with ‘a meticulous attention to detail, retaining many factory features, mostly notably the interior,’ the sale description notes. 

The original engine and gearbox have been fully reconditioned and a stainless steel exhaust was fitted at the same time. 

The vehicle still features its original alloy wheels and is shod with period correct Goodyear Grand Prix tyres. 

It shows as having covered only 53,939 miles in its lifetime and is sold with a detailed history file, registration document, receipts and memorabilia.

Doyle’s ‘Solar Gold’ car Capri first registered on the 4 June 1980 on the ‘OAR 576V’ plate and instantly loaned to the TV production company for the filming of series four

The existing record amount paid for a Ford Capri 3.0 S at auction is £55,000 – these two cars should eclipse that

Again, the interior has been kept in original – and stunning – condition, having received some care and attention as part of a restoration two years ago

The odometer of the Doyle car shows it as covering even lower mileage than Bodie’s at just 43,222 miles

The show is considered a cult classic of the seventies and eighties. Pictured: Martin Shaw as Doyle (left), Lewis Collins and Bodie (right) and Gordon Jackson as Major George Cowley (centre)

As for Doyle’s Capri, the ‘Solar Gold’ car was first registered on the 4 June 1980 on the ‘OAR 576V’ plate and instantly loaned to the TV production company for the filming of series four. 

Ford also stipulated that the car was to wear the false registration plate ‘OAR 576W’ on screen so that the vehicle appeared to be brand new when the show aired. 

Like the sister model, the vendor had it lightly restored in 2021 with all the original features and major components retained. 

The odometer shows it as covering even lower mileage of just 43,222 miles and again is supported by a wealth of original paperwork and documentation.

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk