I bought a Capri 2.8i a few months ago as something different to run about in for a bit. I probably did about 50 miles in it, then decided I wanted to make it nice and keep it...

This is when when I bought it. I actually swapped it for a Passat Tdi that had an intermittent running issue that I took
in as a part exchange.

 

It didnt look too bad from a distance, but under the Bonnet wasn't too pretty, and the wings and doors were not in a good way. Oh- and the bonnet pins looked stupid so they needed to go too. It had a fibreglass Bonnet fitted- which looked ok but would prefer a steel one if I was going to spend some money on the thing.

 

I found a pair of good doors and a bonnet on eBay, somwent amd collected them. The doors were very good. The Bonnet had a couple of dents and a bit scabby along the front but I went for it anyway. I had the Bonnet shot blasted and etch primed. Theres a few pin holes in the front, but it's saveable.

I also bought a new pair of front wings, and a pair of inner wing repair panels. One side is solid but the other side has been played before and looks horrible, so I wanted to replace it with the panel so it looked correct and both sides would match...

i took it for 1 last drive (mainly to use the petrol up that was in it) and then booked the day off work and stripped it to a rolling shell.

 

Then put some diesel in the steamer and gave it a blast.

Apart from the doors and engine bay / wings, the rest is actually in very good condition.

 

It was at this point I decided the wings were not worth trying to save...

 

After removing the wings- a few more holes were found...it looks in a bit of a sorry state at this point. However- after the floor and all of the underside, sills ect are all nice and solid!

 

After 3 solid days of welding patches to repair everywhere that needed it, aligning the new doors, Bonnet and wings, the new wings are welded on!

This is the progress up to today.

I also removed the sunroof roof as the roof skin needed some light work too.

This is how it stands at the moment.

More updates to follow soon!

 

Great work so far look forward too updates. Iv got a 1978 3.0s to restore at some point, given me a bit of motivation seeing this.

 

Awesome work going on there mate and in no time at all too!

 

Done loads more prep work Monday and today, should be in primer on Saturday. Photos to follow

 

Some great progress there, you don't hang about

 

Nice project. Will look really smart when finished

 

Great seeing another one saved

 

After 15 solid hours- it's ready for primer...

 

First coat of primer done.

Huge dedication by Shaun today!!

Lots of flatting to be done next, then into the paint oven next week.

 

Cool project matey. It looks like a different car in primer.

 

Normal Capri problems there will be keeping eye on this one need some motivation to start my Brooklands

 

All i can say is "bloody awesome"

Good job Tom.

 

Great work and a great car, well done

 

Thanks for the replies!

Realised a mistake earlier today-

the 2 doors I'm using are from different cars. One has a circular lock cut out and the other has the lock build into the handle!!

My original doors have the lock in the handle so will have to weld a plate and fill the hole, and re-primer that one this week!!

 

Ah bummer! Still awesome job u guys are doing there

 

Lovely project, look forward to seeing more updates.

 

Currently in New York- but the door with the door lock hole- now has no door lock hole. And the car is all flatted and ready to be panel wiped and painted.

do i white stone chip the sills, then paint the body colour when I paint the car??

and I've bought a jig to put the shell on, so I can turn it over and remove the front subframe, steering rack, all suspension, rear diff ect- and stone chip and also paint the underside of the car too.

 

Great work so far mate. Was the fibreglass bonnet any good? If so is it for sale? Cheers

 

I used the fibreglass one in the end, the steel one was too far gone, but when a good steel one comes up, yes you can have the fibreglass one

 

That looks great fela I do like them when there in primer

 

Iv got a decent rust free one on my car I'd be willing to deal with.

 

Where abouts are you? And what sort of deal would you be happy with?

does the steel Bonnet need much work?

 

I've dropped all of the interior to the trimmers, along with a roll of Capri Special grey material, and they are supplying 2 hides of silver grey Napa leather- so hopefully turns out as close to special interior as possible!

Ive decided after loads of thought, I want to go with 15 inch Brooklands wheels.

The plan was always to stay white- but black looks great in my eyes. What do people think? Black or white?

White is hard to paint as hard to see where you have painted and where you havnt- but easy to hide imperfections. Black shows up any imperfections!!

White is original, but black looks so good??

 

Oh and I bought a jig to put the shell on the other day- so I can remove the rear diff, front subframe, steering, all suspension ect, underseal and paint all of the underside, then once painted- Use it to refit everything on the underside...

 

Black is a full time job to keep right imo

Bet your bodyshop love you keep changing the plans

It's your car so go with whatever colour you want... white or black looks good

 

I am the bodyshop lol, I just buy the paint and give it to them to panel wipe and paint once it's prepped, so not much of a problem to them... I think black does look better but white is the safer option...

 

That's a bonus... it's your choice really then...

 

Keep it white, it's all about originality theses days. Good project btw.

 

Being painted this weekend!

People say go original white- plus it hides imperfections, but I love the look of Crystal blue!!

Will painting it a different colour de-value it that much, even if the colour was still used on a 2.8i?

 

White for me, nothing to do with anything but the looks

 

If your fibreglass bonnet is a decent one I'd be happy with swapping. I'm in South Wales I'm coming to Southampton in a few weeks but no idea how I'd get the bonnet in my mondeo but could try.

 

ive always liked caspion blue, always looked good on an rsi, but you just cant beat a gloss black finish.

 

The Bonnet is good condition- no damage- it had the Bonnet pin holes but have been filled. Capri Bonnet is 50 inches wide, it wouldn't go in my e class estate, that had a huge boot and that was 1 inch too small on an angle, I strapped it to the roof when I had to move mine

 

The grille and headlight surrounds I have are black plastic. I'm going to paint them the same as the shell. Are the painted ones the same, or do I need paintable ones?