Scanning the teacher’s car park on my first day at my new school, Initial impressions looked promising as I spotted an X- plate Beta HPE and a brand new B-reg Manta GT/E – teacher car credibility was always paramount in my eyes. My first real encounter with the Manta came in 1985 after re-locating to Suffolk. The Ford Capri had only one serious rival which came from the GM stable and that of course… was the Opel Manta. That said, the later 2.8i Special and the run out Capri 280 of 1987 looked every inch a showstopper either in the brochures, or out on the road. To be honest the Capri was not a bad car, it just seemed to attract either the wrong type of driver or portray an image of loutish or vulgar mannerisms. Terry McCann drove one in Thames TV’s superb Minder and of course, who could forget Derek Trotter and his lime green ‘Capree’ Ghia in BBC’s Only Fools and Horses – was this the issue? For some reason the Capri never did it for me, maybe it was the blue oval badge that took the shine off the otherwise eye catching if not, iconic shape. One of my earliest motoring memories was the Capri GT my father had imported back into the UK after a lengthy Army posting in Germany back in the mid 1970s. Whether it was Swap Shop or Tiswas, Blue Peter or Magpie on the telly or Spangles vs Texan Bars in the sweet shop – the same would apply with certain cars. If like me you’re a child of the 70s, you would unwittingly find yourself falling into one or the other camp. Words: Mike Humble Photography: Keith Adams This one offered a more restrained image over its arch rival Ford Capri but also went on to make a huge impact in motor sport. Once again we fondly pay homage to the one time past masters of motoring in this popular section.
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