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An Ace Day !!
Capri enthusiasts flocked to London's ACE Cafe for this 3rd annual Capri day. With 2009 being the 40th year of our beloved cars, no excuse was needed to travel from whatever part of the country you came from to join in with the celebrations. Weather conditions were perfect, blue skies forecast throughout the day and an expected high of 70 degrees fahrenheit, we couldn't have asked for it to be any better. With 45 Capri's pre-booked months ahead, I arrived just after 9am where already over half a dozen had parked up with their owners either busy with the polishing cloth, or sitting inside the Cafe tucking into a tasty ACE breakfast. Capri's were now arriving at a steady pace, each one being checked off the list, then duly assisted by an ACE marshal to a suitable parking spot. Those not booked in could take advantage of the free safe pavement parking opposite the ACE. Yes, you won't get any hassle from the police here, the ACE has an agreement with the 'old bill' to use the pavement as an overflow car park....Nice!
By eleven o'clock the ACE car park was nigh on full with some stunning Capri's - Modified, Standard, Mk1 Crayford, Mk2 Convertible, Twin Turbo'd Mk3, 6.0 Litre Mk3 pushing out over 700 BHP!, 5.0 Litre Mk1 with a stonking all metal home-made bodykit, 2 x RS3100's - Wow! this was an ACE Capri meet like no other. Some of these Capri's had never been seen at the ACE before, the atmosphere was buzzing, we were all in Capri heaven!!
Owners had travelled from far and wide - Dorset, The West Country, Isle of Wight, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Hertfordshire and all of the Home Counties. Well done to all of you for making the effort to come along, I'm sure you'll agree, it was definitely worth every mile. Retro Ford magazine sent along Alex, who arrived in the 'last off the line' 280 Brooklands Capri. I think he was in shock by the massive turnout when he arrived, a space had been saved for him at the entrance. We all look forward to seeing his report in a future edition of the mag. Prize giving took place at 1.15pm, (details opposite left) and owners purchased their souvenir window stickers. Nobody was in a hurry to leave, it was that sort of day that you wished would never end. By 4.15pm though most people had left. Myself along with a few of my Surrey Capri Club colleagues made our way out into the London traffic still on a 'high' from one memorable Ace Cafe Capri Day.
Once again a HUGE thanks to all the Capri owners that made this special day, if it wasn't for you the day wouldn't have been the same. See you'll next year.
Furthest Travelled, Mk1 3.0 Capri.
Best Modified, 5.0 Litre Mk1.
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