Police Capri

[unobrow]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mj_100/19 ... hd-rPazSC/


Hi all

I can shed a bit of light on GMP's Capris'.

Firstly, I really like the model of D432 (and would quite like one myself!), very accurate, right down to the roof beacon. Very few GMP Capris carried the double rotator as they were coming out of service as they were being fitted.

D432 is probably the best known of these cars, being bought by it's current owner from auction and fitted out as per service, although a bit more neatly. Apart from the very accurate rear spoiler, everything else is fitted magnetically for convenience, but it hasn't been seen for a couple of years. Although as far as is known it's still in the owners hands. The 432 was new to Salford Crescent nick, just as Twoc'ing took off, and was obviously very busy in that neighbourhood (I'm originally from Salford myself, living just 5min from that very nick). The story is that it was written off in an RTA in 6 months, but being so new, and with no replacement, it was re-shelled and carried on at F div until it's natural lifetime withdrawal. After de-commissioning at the Openshaw workshops and waiting auction, a Sierra 4x4 was also written off at Hazel Grove. Again, with no new replacement available, they hastily re-commissioned 432 for a further 18 months I think where it's current owner became acquainted with it, and therefore wanted it after it's service.

As per the subsequent post, it isn't the only car in preservation. I personally know the owner of D439 and the pic reflects the cars current condition. It's not seen very much due to the owners personal business commitments.

Then there's my car, D443 KVM which has also been on the scene for a throughout the years with various owners. Here's a link to a pic of "us" at the Newark emergency services show last year, participating in a drink driver pursuit demo ( I can't suss actually posting the pic!). I've had it nearly 4 years, and will explain my interest in these cars below.

For many years these were the only GMP Capri's to survive. There was an A reg pepperpot around for a bit, but that's sadly disappeared without trace. About 2 1/2 yrs ago, another appeared from long term storage, namely D448 KVM. It was bought by the business partner of the guy I bought D443 from and restored. Sold on for another Capri, it's just come out from a body restoration literally last week by it's current owner. All 4 cars are pretty much in their original area.

My interest goes back to my Salford childhood. We knew a couple of traffic bobby's from the aforementioned nick, and there'd often be a Mk2 3.0S Capri parked outside scrounging a brew, whilst I ran around the house with a white top on making rather loud nee-naw noises (yes, seriously!). Because of this, I got a serious interest in these cars, and the police.

The Capri was first introduced to the area by Salford and Manchester police in 1971 after trialling two. They replaced Mk2 Cortina 1600GT cars which just weren't quick enough anymore, and the new car with it's V6 appealed. An instant hit with the drivers, 20 Mk1 3000GT models were took on fleet. An interesting fact, is that they suffered sever brake fade initially which was eventually attributed to the steel wheels not letting enough cooling ventilation to the discs. They were replaced by minilite wheels which solved the issue immediately and were carried over until the introduction of the 2.8i model. What was never solved was the handling characteristics of the Capri. Only class one drivers were allowed to drive the cars because of this. A Ford strike got GMP (by this time) nervous so they ordered Rover P6 V8-S cars, again after trialling a pair, and took a batch of 65 over 3 years. They were very popular, apart from the Denovo run flats that flipped a car and nearly killed an officer. Those wheels were also quickly replaced.

GMP soon went back to the Capri, by now the Mk2 in 3.0S guise and rigidly stuck to them. They were cheap and fast for their time, and parts were cheap for maintenance and repair. This continued as their urban traffic car of choice through to the pepperpot 2.8i, to their final batch of 20 cars that were the D-KVM Special models. The Capri reigned supreme at that time on these duties, despite Granada's and 10 Rover SD1's being taken on fleet. The last Capri (D440 KVM) came out of service in 1991 and even made the Manchester Evening News such was the association of the cars with the force. GMP even did a phot shoot with it and their first Sierra Cosworth 4x4 in tribute (pics easily available on the net). They were replaced originally by Sierra 2.0iS cars, which were quickly relegated to supervision cars. The XR4x4 became the traffic car of choice, along with small numbers of Astra GTE 16v and Omega MV6. The Cossie 4x4 became the pursuit car of choice for a while in the liveried traffic fleet, and specialist TVCU unit. The old sweats I have spoke to remember the Capri with fondness, and their favourite traffic car, the 3.0S being the daddy. The 4-speed gearbox suited it especially well as 3rd could be held from 10-110mph making it excellent in pursuits.

The only other car as iconic as the Capri, and happened to last longer in service was the Range Rover, which managed about 36yrs on fleet and have a story of their own.

Hope that's been an interesting insight into these cars and their history.

[pbar]

Firstly, I really like the model of D432 (and would quite like one myself!), very accurate, right down to the roof beacon. Very few GMP Capris carried the double rotator as they were coming out of service as they were being fitted.

Thanks The roof beacon flashes side to side also, not sure if that is apparent in the pics.

Thanks very much for posting all that info, absolutely brilliant. And very intestesting, really appreciate you taking the time to do that!

[Paul G]

What a fascinating thread. I know that the Thames Valley force local to where I am used to have unmarked early 2.8i s because I was pulled by one in about 1984 for not having my seatbelt on, this being just after it was made law to wear one. I remember it was red and the reg number was EBW something Y.

[Caprifan Rob]

Thanks for the info on these rare cars. Saw one of these for sale a few years ago & at the time didn't really appreciate the significance or rarity of them. Great to see them now being preserved as they were intended to be.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi,

Here's a link to a pic of "us" at the Newark emergency services show last year, participating in a drink driver pursuit demo ( I can't suss actually posting the pic!)

Here you go:

Greater Manchester Police Ford Capri by Martin Jones, on Flickr

Very informative post on the Police Capris, it's a great read. Thank you for posting.

Andrew.

[dan the capri fan]

Hi i know this GMP ford capri 2.8i special quite well as a few years ago a capri mate of mine give me a dvd copy of an old tv programme about cars set in the 90's i think looking at the footage etc. in the episode he give me was the story of this exact capri D432 KVM which was one of a bunch of 2.8i specials given to the GMP at the time all with similar number plates. in the episode it caught up with the officers that drove the car and their memories of it some not so good. it also shows in the episode rare footage of a police chase in D432 KVM and another police capri chasing a black escort XR3i around the streets of manchester. they also catch up with the owners who owned it after it retired from the force and then finally the guy who restored it.

[dan the capri fan]

Hi heres a link to a youtube video of what i think to be D439 KVM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA7re3Lmc80

[Bertie]

Reading your thread reminded me of a print I recently bought.....

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[T.M.]

Hi,
video of similar police Capri 2.8i Special from 1987 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE_w5oDc2Tw


Tom

[Andrew 2.8i]

video of similar police Capri 2.8i Special from 1987 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE_w5oDc2Tw

Cool, thanks Tom.
I really enjoyed watching that.

Andrew.

[nemo]

Cool, thanks Tom.
I really enjoyed watching that.

Me too!
I `think` the roundabout at 1.30 is the one which used to be on the a62 just going into Oldham town centre.... anyone? The later clips also look like the A62 coming out of Oldham across the moors to Huddersfield. Guessing it was stationed at Oldham then? Amazing just how light the traffic was back then. Don`t the police colours really suit the Capri though.

[pbar]

Hi,
video of similar police Capri 2.8i Special from 1987 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE_w5oDc2Tw


Tom

This thread is a blast from the past! Thanks for adding that link Tom.

[Jasonmarie]

Some great find there , seems like only last week the 80s as well

[andyd]

That's a good day at work, nice weather and back when you could tell the difference in makes of car. Take me back

In the comments it says filmed around the Saddleworth and Oldham area.

[Major_Tom]

Great video, good find T.M.

That's a good day at work, nice weather and back when you could tell the difference in makes of car. Take me back

Back in the days where it wasn't just the different shapes of headlights and taillights to tell the cars apart. That's all the manufacturers seem to do these days.. different and often hideous arrangements of glowing LEDs crammed into their cars.

[T.M.]

I'm glad you all enjoy the video.


Tom

[nemo]

.. different and often hideous arrangements of glowing LEDs crammed into their cars.

Totally agree - I can`t stand the ones whicjh have a single line going across the whole width of the car, horrendous!

[nemo]

In the comments it says filmed around the Saddleworth and Oldham area.

Thought so. Moral is: read the comments....

[D366Y]

.. different and often hideous arrangements of glowing LEDs crammed into their cars.

Totally agree - I can`t stand the ones whicjh have a single line going across the whole width of the car, horrendous!

They are dreadful
I was behind a particularly awful car yesterday, the indicator was on but I couldn't tell as the brake lights were so bright I could hardly see it flashing. Not to mention the brake light was enormous and engulfed the indicator which was much smaller

Not sure about you guys but also not a fan of the new indicators that travel like a line across the front/back of a car?? What was wrong with a flashing bulb??

[Major_Tom]

.. different and often hideous arrangements of glowing LEDs crammed into their cars.

Totally agree - I can`t stand the ones whicjh have a single line going across the whole width of the car, horrendous!

They are dreadful
I was behind a particularly awful car yesterday, the indicator was on but I couldn't tell as the brake lights were so bright I could hardly see it flashing. Not to mention the brake light was enormous and engulfed the indicator which was much smaller

Not sure about you guys but also not a fan of the new indicators that travel like a line across the front/back of a car?? What was wrong with a flashing bulb??

I hate them too!

I think the problem is that loads of them basically use the same bodies. So all the "designers" are left to play with are the styles of the lights and bumpers. I imagine there are big rooms full of people all sitting round a large desk and unveiling their new disgusting abominations on big screens. Then they all clap at the most ugly effort and use names like 'bold' and 'individual' and 'road presence'.

The guy that invented the indicators going in a little swish probably thinks he is an esteemed artist, like an Italian interior stylist from the 70s. I particularly hate the ones, I think they're on the new Cupra, that look like cyberspectacles on the back, and the indicator curls around the frame of the spectacles like a tiny glitzy cheap horrible miniature Las Vegas knocking shop sign.