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

What could be better than a spotless – and famous – Ford Capri? Two of them.

The pair of 1980s coupes will go under the hammer at a classic car auction next month, having originally been used in one of Britain’s best-loved crime drama series that ran in the late 1970s to early 1980s.

The two-car lot is expected to fetch a whopping £230,000 as 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 recognize which TV series they come from?

Featured on the cult ITV show ‘The Professionals’, the pair of Capris were feisty by characters Raymond Doyle (played by Martin Shaw) and William Andrew Philip Bodie (played by Lewis Collins).

They have been preserved in a private collection for the past 16 years and will soon be offered as one lot to the highest bidder at Silverstone Festival on August 25.

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

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

The Professionals starring Martin Shaw as Doyle (left) and Lewis Collins as Bodie (right) ran on our screens in five series from 1977 to 1983

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

Both cars to be sold next month were regular features on the show that aired from 1977 to 1983.

Thanks to Bodie – the ex-parachutist, mercenary and SAS sergeant – the Strato Silver Capri was a fan favorite. This particular version is said to have been used in seven episodes of series four.

In fact, ‘OWC 827V’ has the distinction of achieving the most screen time of any car used in the five series of The Professionals.

And the second Capri, ‘OAR 576V’ – assigned to Shaw playing Doyle – also starred in 10 episodes in the same series.

The seller and the auction house responsible for selling the vehicles have agreed that the duo should always be kept together in a single collection.

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

Bodie’s Capri, which was first registered on 4 June 1980 and – at Ford’s request – carried false number plates ‘OWC 827W’ on display so that the vehicle appeared as new on the first TV broadcast date of Series 4 on 19 October 1980

The Strato Silver Capri was a huge fan favourite. This particular version is said to have been used in seven episodes of series four. In fact, ‘OWC 827V’ has the distinction of achieving the most screen time of any car used in The Professionals’ five series

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

Ford stipulated that the car carry the fake number plate ‘OWC 827W’ on screen, so that the vehicle appeared new on the first TV broadcast date of series four on October 19, 1980.

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

This Capri is shown to have traveled only 53,939 miles in its lifetime and is being 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, especially the interior,” according to the sales description.

It was purchased by the seller in October 2007 and has recently (2021) undergone a ‘sympathetic restoration’.

This was done with “meticulous attention to detail, retaining many factory features, particularly the interior,” the sales description notes.

The original engine and gearbox have been completely overhauled and a stainless steel exhaust has also been fitted.

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

It is shown to have covered only 53,939 miles in its lifetime and is being sold with a detailed history file, registration document, receipts and memorabilia.

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

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

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

The Doyle car’s odometer shows it has even fewer miles than Bodie’s at just 43,222 miles

The show is considered a cult classic of the 1970s and 1980s. Pictured: Martin Shaw as Doyle (left), Lewis Collins and Bodie (right), and Gordon Jackson as Major George Cowley (center)

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

Ford also stipulated that the car must carry the fake number plate ‘OAR 576W’ on display so that the vehicle appeared brand new when the show aired.

Like the sister model, the seller undertook a light restoration in 2021 retaining all original features and major components.

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