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Some people head to eBay knowing exactly what they want. Others begin with a harmless look and emerge an hour later trying to work out where they could keep another old Ford.
We have been browsing the current selection and picked out seven very different examples that deserve a closer look. There are two Capris, a remarkably low-mileage Mk1 Fiesta, a smart Cortina Ghia and a pair of classic vans. We have even found a black-and-white Consul for anyone who prefers their Fords with a little more chrome.
These are not seven variations on the same theme. They range from carefully preserved family cars to a heavily modified Escort van, with plenty in between.
The individual listings will eventually end, so rather than linking to pages that will quickly disappear, we have included a link to each seller’s eBay profile. There is also an eBay search beneath every car, allowing you to see what other examples of the same model are currently available.
Finished in wonderfully bright Sebring Red, this 1973 Capri is a facelift Mk1 fitted with the 1600 Pinto engine and a four-speed manual gearbox.
Its appearance alone would have secured it a place in our selection, but the ownership story makes it considerably more interesting. The seller explains that the Capri belonged to their late father, who owned it for 47 years and regarded it as his pride and joy. Before that, it had apparently had just one owner.
The accompanying paperwork is said to include the original receipt from when the first owner bought the car new. That gives this Capri the sort of continuous story that cannot simply be recreated during a restoration.
It has covered a stated 126,925 miles and is described as having been garaged and consistently maintained. The seller also reports that its bodywork, interior and engine are all in excellent condition, with the original black vinyl roof surviving particularly well.
The photographs certainly show a very striking Capri. The combination of Sebring Red paint, black roof, chrome bumpers and the distinctive facelift front end suits it beautifully. It is based in Somerset, where viewings are welcomed.
Seller: driver4uok
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Old commercial vehicles often have fascinating working lives behind them, but this 1983 Mk2 Transit appears to have followed a rather different path.
According to the seller, it has had only two owners. The first was in France and used it privately until its original 1.6-litre engine failed. The current owner brought it back from France around six years ago and subsequently replaced that engine with a 2.0-litre Pinto.
The bodywork was resprayed and received new rear wheelarches, along with repairs to some of the other panels. Its bonnet, front wings and doors are said to remain original, while the engine bay, A-pillars and scuttle were reportedly solid and only required repainting. The seller does mention that some minor rust bubbles have since appeared on the front wings.
Later seats are currently fitted, although the originals have been retained. The odometer displays 20,000 kilometres, but the seller sensibly suggests that its true distance is likely to be at least 120,000 kilometres.
There is a large folder of French invoices and the original Carte Grise, adding another interesting element to its history. It was also put through an MOT when it was first registered in Britain and continued to be tested until becoming exempt.
The Transit is described as starting, running and driving, with a replacement master cylinder and rebuilt brake calipers among the more recent work. The exhaust is believed to be blowing slightly, which the seller intends to investigate.
What appeals to us most is its understated appearance. The pale blue paint, cream wheels, hubcaps and simple panel-van body make it look refreshingly free from unnecessary decoration. It is now being sold because the owner has several other classics, no longer has the same storage available and simply has not been using it.
The van is located in Exeter, Devon.
Seller: bluedan68
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This Escort van occupies a completely different corner of the classic Ford world.
It began as a Mk4 but has been given a comprehensive Mk3 conversion, along with a lengthy list of mechanical, suspension and cosmetic modifications. The result is not likely to appeal to anyone searching for an untouched survivor, but that clearly was never the intention.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre Zetec engine running throttle bodies, managed by a Maxx ECU and loom. An alloy radiator with twin fans, an alloy header tank, silicone hoses and a full stainless exhaust with manifold also feature in the specification.
The braking and suspension have received considerable attention. Cosworth front brakes are fitted, along with Gaz inserts and lowering springs at the front. At the rear, the axle has been flipped and spaced to position the wheels correctly, with Gaz shock absorbers completing the arrangement. The van is also described as fully polybushed.
Its 16×7 steel wheels, deep front spoiler, raised bonnet, South African-style grille vent and contrasting black details give it an unmistakable identity. The Waterways signwriting is another distinctive touch and helps prevent the finished van from looking like just another modified Escort.
Inside, the Mk3 conversion continues with a Mk3 dashboard, Series 1 seats and a Series 1 steering wheel. The seller also mentions the availability of either a digital or standard dashboard arrangement.
This is plainly a highly individual van and its appeal will depend entirely upon whether the next owner shares the builder’s vision. It does, however, represent an extensive amount of work and combines several familiar ingredients from the modified Ford scene in one striking package.
Seller: gallipoli5
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Of all seven vehicles featured here, this little orange Fiesta may be the one that prompts the greatest number of nostalgic stories.
The seller describes it as a family-owned Mk1 1.1L with only 31,000 miles recorded. It has reportedly been garaged for most of its life, although the family lost the use of that garage around four years ago.
Its recent spell outside has apparently caused some sun damage to the seats, but the paintwork is described as very good for its age. The history also includes old MOT certificates and tax discs, while the car is said to have been well maintained.
The photograph suggests a remarkably straightforward little Fiesta. It retains its slim chrome bumpers, modest steel wheels with small centre caps and an unadorned cabin. Even its vivid orange paint feels completely in keeping with the period.
Fast Fords tend to attract much of the attention, but ordinary versions such as this are often the cars people remember most clearly. They were first cars, family runabouts, driving-school cars and daily transport. Precisely because they were once so commonplace, relatively unmodified survivors can now be particularly appealing.
There may be more glamorous cars in this selection, but a low-mileage Mk1 Fiesta with a long family connection has a charm all of its own.
Seller: grace10100808
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The Cortina was once part of the everyday British landscape. Today, a tidy Mk5 in an attractive period colour can stop people in their tracks.
This 2.0-litre Ghia automatic is finished in a pale metallic green and has covered a stated 42,508 miles. It has had two previous owners and is being offered with a full year’s MOT.
The seller says the paperwork includes the original purchase receipt and a substantial collection of supporting history. They also recently completed a 130-mile round trip to a family wedding in the car, reporting that it performed without trouble and kept pace comfortably with modern traffic.
Mechanical work completed during the present ownership reportedly includes a new Weber carburettor, fuel pump, distributor cap, ignition leads, condenser and gear-linkage bush. A rubber gearbox gasket has also been replaced.
Its exterior was resprayed around 18 months ago and is described as being free from marks and scratches. The underside has previously been treated against corrosion, and the Cortina is kept in a dry garage. The alloy wheels appear to be in keeping with the car’s restrained appearance, while the factory-style sunroof is another desirable feature.
The Ghia interior is said to be clean and tidy, with its controls and radio working as intended. Paired with the automatic gearbox, it sounds like a Cortina intended to be driven and enjoyed rather than hidden away.
There is something especially appealing about a well-kept, generously equipped version of a once-familiar family saloon. This one appears to offer exactly that.
Seller: vanforce_0413
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This 1962 Ford Consul could hardly be more different from the modified Escort van sitting further up the page.
Its black-and-white paintwork, chrome trim, external sun visor and whitewall tyres give it an imposing period appearance. This is a car that makes its presence known without needing oversized wheels or a modern engine conversion.
It is powered by the familiar 1705cc engine and has a manual gearbox. The seller describes it as running and driving well, and says it has proved very reliable during journeys around the country.
Recent or notable work listed in the description includes a new clutch, a reconditioned differential, a service and the fitting of an electric fuel pump.
The seller suggests it could be used as a weekend cruiser or show car, while still leaving scope for its next owner to improve it over time. That seems an appropriate description. It presents well in the photograph, but does not appear so precious that using it would become an ordeal.
The Consul comes from an era when even an ordinary family Ford offered sweeping bodywork, generous quantities of chrome and a front bench seat. Its two-tone colour scheme makes the most of those lines and gives it an unmistakably 1950s and early-1960s character.
For someone who wants a usable early Ford with plenty of visual impact, it is an intriguing alternative to the more obvious sporting models.
Seller: quedu59
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We began with a Capri, so it seems fitting to finish with another.
This time it is a Mk3 2.8 Injection finished in Forest Green and Crystal Green, with a check-patterned cloth Recaro interior. It has covered a stated 81,000 miles and comes with an unusually comprehensive collection of material from its early life.
The car was supplied new by Central Ford in Leicester and is said to have remained in Leicester ever since. The seller has owned it twice, which suggests it was a difficult car to forget after first letting it go.
Its manuals, books, brochures and sales receipts from Central Ford have apparently survived, along with the original dealer window sticker and number plates. A box of history, workshop manual, older registration document, current V5C, MOT paperwork and further receipts are also included.
The seller believes the Capri has never been painted or welded and describes it as totally original. That remains the seller’s assessment, of course, and prospective buyers should satisfy themselves regarding any car’s condition and history. Nevertheless, the description and accompanying photograph point towards preservation rather than restoration.
Its pepperpot alloy wheels, working sunroof and special-order Reactor interior remain in place. The seller is also keen to emphasise that the car has not been extensively detailed or altered, saying it has simply been washed.
Recent attention has included restoration of the original radiator and refurbishment of the brakes. The seller reports covering around 250 miles in it and says it runs and drives beautifully.
Modified Capris have their own appeal, but an apparently unmolested 2.8 Injection with its original dealer material is arguably much harder to replace. The seller is reluctantly parting with it after completing the restoration of another car and developing an interest in acquiring a 3.0-litre Capri.
Seller: capriman93
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See more Ford Capri 2.8 Injections for sale on eBay
There is no obvious winner here because these seven Fords offer such different things.
The Sebring Red Mk1 Capri has an exceptional long-term ownership story. The Transit is an unusually restrained classic van with a life on both sides of the Channel. The Escort van is a fully committed modified build, while the orange Fiesta represents the sort of everyday Ford that has become increasingly difficult to find.
The Cortina looks ready for relaxed days out, the Consul brings bags of early-1960s presence and the 2.8 Injection Capri appears to have retained an impressive amount of its original identity and history.
As always, descriptions and photographs can only tell you so much. Anyone considering buying an older vehicle should inspect it carefully, check its identity and paperwork, and make sure its condition matches their expectations before committing.
Cars such as these often survive because somebody kept hold of them long after their everyday working life had ended.
There are still countless classics, unfinished projects and long-forgotten cars sitting in garages, barns, sheds and workshops across the country. Some have been waiting years for their owners to find the time to recommission them. Others have been inherited by families who simply do not know what to do next.
If you have an old car tucked away and are considering selling it, we would be pleased to hear from you.
UK Barn Finds buys classic cars, restoration projects and unusual vehicles in a wide variety of conditions. Tell us what you have, where it is and what you know about it, and include a few photographs if possible.
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