Ford Sierra Cosworth, Capri, XR2 review - Auto Express

Watch Mat Watson take a trip down memory lane when he visits Ford's Heritage workshop in Essex
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[@davidhayes4814]

Mat Watson is the best. He mixes decent information with boyish humour. He doesn't try too hard....class act in all his videos.

[@keithjones7024]

You really can't beat the classic Ford's. Will never be bettered

[@Dunstire]

Granada Ghia X.Can't beat them.Bloody lovely

[@kevin60uk]

Yep many memories of me and my 2.0 S Capri spinning with that cart rear suspension and my neighbor with his RS 2000 Escort. When you didn't worry about fuel cost's and speed cameras. Happy days

[@-GrumpyOldMan]

I too had a 2.0. Please say you had the i4 and not the V4 engine.

[@willpark7483]

Grumpy Old Man V4 ?

[@MajorT0m]

I still do that with my 2.0 S today 😎 but without the mate in an RS2000.

[@MajorT0m]

@@willpark7483 yeah the MK1 Capri 2lt engine was orginally a V4!

[@willpark7483]

Major Tom that’s cool!

[@waleedhassan798]

This is the best tribute to our British Fords. I do miss these iconic cars. Well done Matt for this great iconic video !

[@benpalmer4087]

Nice tribute to some of Ford's contributions to motoring culture in the UK in the late 20th Century. Enjoyed it a lot.

[@perkin2000]

A Capri in Essex. The definition of the phrase 'spiritual home'.

[@FirstOnRaceDayCapri2904]

I agree

[@pauljordan5823]

That was a trip down memory lane...and fun to watch. I had several Escort's and Capri's and the Capri's were certainly the biz in their day...

[@jamesnewman4351]

Thanks for this vid mate. I'm 47 and when I was a wee lad my dad owned a Capri 3.0s in '78 . Been my fave ever since lol

[@shovington67]

Great video! We used to have a Capri back at the end of the 19 70's. But we lived just east of Toronto by 30 minutes, and in winter time, that car was so much fun drifting in the snow. My dad was a great driver, and as an 11 year old or so, it was like being a rally copilot!

[@grahamw56]

Loved our British Fords since passing my driving test in 1969, in a MK1 Escort.

[@ericgeorge5483]

Such a great video, Mat's enthusiasm for these great Ford's really shines through!!

[@HartmutJagerArt]

I drove a South African built Ford Capri made by Basil Green . It was 5 Liter 8 Cylinder Beast ! It had a 3 liter Capri speedometer that stopped at 250km /ph So when I drove it very fast the needle stopped there, so I never knew how fast I was really going. It was fun, but the way it guzzled up petrol was something else.

[@markcady6882]

You are a man of taste Matt... love fords and the fast ones in particular, great video

[@morrismckinnon6047]

We had an XR3i as a practice car in college when I was doing mechanics, poor thing. They were seen as naf and just old in the 90's, but what I'd give for that car now. My first mishap with that car was punching the trolley jack through the floor! I learned about jacking points that day, Lol

[@QuadTubeChannel]

My relative used to run a Ford Granada Mark 1. For us kids, going out in that car was like being royalty: plush trim, bags of space, and sunroof through which several of us would squeeze through and wave at passers-by. That car so comfortable, and felt so special. It basically felt like you ripped your expensive sofa from your living room and welded it to a chassis. I find a lot of today's cars utterly.. how can I put it.. forgetful. I loved going out in that Granada :)

[@oddities-whatnot]

Used to drive a Granada 2.8 now and then, was part of a collection of motors my boss had. Used it for long journeys, very comfy.

[@nascar0509]

My older brother used to own a black Sierra E registration XR4X4 back in the late 80's early 90's and a Granada 2.8i Ghia MKIII hatchback, fond memories!

[@Boomboom-ox9hn]

Its like memory lane watching these old fords get driven, I had myself most the cars shown here except for a couple..but that Capri brookland.... just wow,... it's a timeless classic, wished I'd kept my Capri 30Lt Ghia now....I miss that old girl....

[@suns8575]

My dad had a capri snd then 2 Escorts one from the 80s and then one from 1993 and they were amazing. Cars. Miss them!

[@thesillypig785]

Ford will always be my favorite. My first one was a mercury blue escort mk4, a 1.4l bravo edition with RS-trim. It was my dad's car before he gave it to me. After that I bought a black RS Turbo which will remain as my favorite car I ever owned. Yes, even more than the Impreza Turbo I had. Several friends owned Ford's too, like a Fiesta XR2i, Escort mk5 RS200, a Capri, Escort Cosworth. Such fun we had!

[@Golo1949]

Always loved Ford cars, my first Ford was a 1963 Anglia 105E then I had a Mk1 Capri 3.0L GTXLR, great memories.

[@johnn278]

I love them all but definitely the Sierra Cosworth 4x4 for me

[@jobbelar]

I was the lucky owner of a Escort Mk 1 in start 80 'ties and still miss it today. Greatings from Denmark. 😎

[@leuvenlife]

That Sierra Cosworth was mistakenly delivered to Switzerland, where I was sent to bring it back.. (It had been shipped by mistake it seems and was supposed to go to the heritage collection...) I had so much trouble at the border as the identification marks had been removed to keep its identity secret (I believe it was the last one, and they wanted to keep the chassis number secret, no idea why) When I got it back to Dunton, the guy there told me it was going to be stripped and rebuilt to be perfect.... Not as per production line, but hand finished. Nice...

[@lee2217]

The last Sierra cosworth is it Pacifica blue

[@drewerz01]

I couldn't agree more about the Capri, speaking as someone who's owned six of them over the years, they're a fantastic car! I know exactly what this guy means, they DO make you feel better in yourself when you drive one! Great video, but it doesn't last long enough, it should be a lot longer!

[@vanlendl1]

Bodie would have loved to drive it.

[@carsieplg]

Had a 1992 white Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 one of my favourite cars ever

[@larky0007]

Loved the old fords , I had a Escort XR3i , Orion 1.6i , Capri 2L and a Capri 2.8i great cars

[@davidfarag7033]

I owned the very first mk2 capri. It was a 3.0ltr GHIA. It was a beast and great fun to drive. Wish i could buy something like that nowadays

[@nickkohlhafer7714]

I Love That XR2! Cool Car!

[@JonLondrezos]

I had a poster of the XR4 in my bedroom! I loved that car.

[@tonychambers4302]

Started my hgv apprenticeship in this garage when it was silcock and Collins transport

[@basementracer7622]

That 280 Capri "drooling" We have a 2.8I with a Turbo Technics kit on it. My boss have the Tickford. Man what a car the Capri was.

[@andrewcarroll4222]

ford Capri would have that over any of them absolute love it

[@astonmcleod5344]

Early 80's Father had a mk1 Granada, he let me borrow it for the week to work on the neighbors farm, the rule was I filled up with petrol when I was paid on the Friday. I drove like the king for a week. 25 pounds wages, 23 pounds fuel, 2 pounds for the Young farmers disco, the following week back to the Honda MT 50

[@richhughes7450]

Loved my Xr2s. Its was Like driving a go cart. Soo much fun.

[@s208richard8]

The Sweeney and The Professionals - The Granada and Capri starred in both, as well as the sharp nosed RS2000 in the latter. Had an Escort Mexico with a Stage 3 Tuned racing engine installed and Twin 44DCOE Webers, along with upgraded brakes, suspension, fuel lines, anti-dive kit, and Carello lights; another Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.

[@simonwallis5214]

Ford have made some amazing cars. Learnt to drive in a 3.0 Capri S early 80s when 13 years old. Xr2s great cars, driven loads. Remember my boss chucking me the keys (for the weekend) to his brand new Sapphire Cosworth 4 x 4... Magenta with black leather. Awesome, still my best ever drive.

[@davexjs5889]

Excellent I agree with the Capri has mk2 and mk3. Also loved the 1600E.

[@billgordon6489]

You’ve got to love a Ford and they’re still doing the business to this day 😀👍🏻

[@markthompson50]

My first cars in the 80's & early 90's were mainly Ford's including 2x Granada's ( Mk 2 2.8GL Auto & Mk3 2.0GL), 2x Cortina's (Mk3 1.6 OHV & Mk4 2.0 Ghia), Capri Mk3 2.0GL & Sierra 2.3GL. Cheap to buy & run. Also had some street cred about them. Fond memories but they have no doubt all gone to that great scrapyard in the sky by now. RIP old friends.

[@fordfool420]

That was the best auto express video I've ever seen I live in the United States so I haven't seen a lot of the cool stuff that's in the UK But I absolutely loved that video And I'd give my firstborn for Sierra Cosworth Thank you so much for posting that Awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JamesCox]

I had an XR3, XR2i and a 3.0L Capri they were pretty awesome cars.

[@Retrofordguy]

im one of those ultimate ford fans and when i was born in the 90s my dad had fords till i was about 8 and the first 5 fords were Capri's. the Capri is my favorite ford partly cos of memories partly because i just love the shape,sound, i love the capri and im still dreaming of one for my future now im 22 i have always promiced my self that CAPRI for my future as the slogan always was "THE CAR YOU'VE ALWAYS PROMISED YOURSLF".

[@cossiedriverrs]

Would not give you "thank you" for a modern car, but these Fords.... Heaven! My particular love is the 4x4 Cossie, and yes, I have one, the love affair is in its 15th year!

[@vanadeoantonio5276]

I've been privileged enough to ride in a Ford Capri, whale tail Sierra Cosworth, Ford Cortina, 86 Nissan Bluebird Turbo and many more classics when I was a kid. I miss them all and I would really love to, one day, get my hands on one of them and own one. My uncle once had one of those automatic Ford Escorts and my grandad had this awesome black Ford Sierra Sapphire. Cars back then looked so cool, no character in cars o today really.

[@grumpyoldgit9498]

Happy memories..I had a 2.8 Capri,it terrified me in the wet..but what a soundtrack from that v6 beast...Can't imagine how much that 1986 Capri would be worth today!!!

[@markakerman3262]

I had 2 Escorts Mk1s and an Xr2 Mk1 I loved my youth days..

[@myreality7817]

Mk2 escort, blue xr2, Cortina 2.0 Ghia, black xr2. Those were my first cars when I was 17-20yo. Then I came to the States and ive lost count, but I've had some interesting cars, motorcycles and boats over the years.

[@tim3437]

I was very into those cars when I was a kid when they came out too..cool.

[@rscosworthfan]

id love that workshop and all its contents

[@damieg82]

I love Mat just that much more after watching this. I love Fords of the bygone eras. My first car was even a 21 year old (also my age at the time) Cortina Ghia mk5 in mint condition. Loved it so much I would only consider selling to someone who would keep it completely original. Thankfully there were other Ford fanatics out there and the ole girl found an appreciative new home

[@mattaddison4177]

I've owned two Capri 2.8is, an early 4 speed and a later 2.8i Special. How I wish still owned either......

[@leopold7562]

I wish you'd done the XR3, that was the car I wanted when I was younger. Still, I agree with you on the Capri, we really need something like that today.

[@CutcliffePaul]

Enjoyed that. And totally agree about the 280!

[@stephenphillip5656]

I agree totally with you, Mat- the Capri is a cool car. I had 2 (only 1.6GLs- couldn't afford the 2.8s). Loved them and would sign the petition to ask Ford to bring it back. Going to the Classic Car Show in Birmingham next Month (Nov 2019) and will be looking out for a Capri or two. I had a Mk3 Granada as well (after the Capris)- very comfortable on the motorway, but wasn't a car to hustle around the twisties!

[@corkyb9896]

That's my favorite video by Mat!

[@bigbill74scots]

I honestly can't think how many RS Turbo engines I put into the mrk2 XR2 back in the day. Great fun and simpler times.

[@mattbod]

Love 80s Fords and the sound of that 2.8 V6 Cologne. It was quite severely choked though with siamesed exhaust ports and only two exhaust pipes per bank.

[@thesillypig785]

My first car was a 1.4litre MK4 Escort in RS trim, then a RS Turbo and later on another Escort RS Turbo. Escort is my favorite car, owned a Impreza turbo but it didnt beat the Ford! Friends owned several Fords too like a XR2i, Mk5 RS2000, one still has a Capri. We love Ford!

[@fasthracing]

I had a 280 Brooklands E reg when it was I think 3 years old. Kinda of wish I still had it

[@andrewganley9016]

Had three Cortina's of various marks 3/4//5 always wanted a Capri 280

[@jamesmcknight9655]

What a lovely clip. Would love to drive the Granada mk 1

[@SwPiotrek]

Great video. Thanks Mat!

[@craigsibley8161]

Had a series 2 rs turbo. Used to drive around with the window down just to hear the turbo whistle 😁😁😁

[@cttransmb]

Love to go and see all cars as I am big Ford fan

[@mickhawford4745]

I was driving 3.0 Capri's and 200E Cortina's when the police were driving 1100's !

[@dougscustomcargarage3434]

I just love my 71 and 74 Capri's i have now In the USA

[@mikek8mgb]

Doug's custom car garage, my dad had a 1971 Capri that was the brown with the 2000 engine in it, that car was really cool.

[@jesuschristpose896]

Always loved this body style capri

[@UncleLuqman]

Man, this guy had the similarities of my dad, LOADS OF AUTOMOTIVE MEMORIES AND HISTORY! Well, while Matt mostly owned Fords, my dad owned Italian cars like Fiat 131 and Alfa Romeo GTV and more. He also owned an Ford Escort MkII and turned it to a Rally car. He also had driven the Porsche 944, 924 and 928. He also owned BMWs though, ranging from the E28 5-Series, then the E36, E46 (I rode that, coupe), 3.0CSL and 635CSi. Nowadays, it's very sad to know that now many legends of the olden days are

[@Brytonrock]

My brother had the Mk3 Cortina 2000E and the Mk2 1600E. He loved both of them and was gutted when he had to sell them to cover some very large bills

[@JohnnyWrong]

Capri is a beauty! My neighbour used to have a 280...E reg.

[@williamsterben]

We've come a long way, my motorbike has the same BHP as the Cozzy!

[@brit-in-czech]

Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@buggerall]

Someone might already have said it but just in case: the whaletail was the RS. The 4-door was called just Cosworth ;-)

[@paulukjames7799]

Great XR2 review cheers

[@johnboy3377]

love capris iv 9 of them lol im restoring a mk2 2.0s now, all fun n games

[@manclad0161]

Some great classics there,1thing though ,how did they get registrations with O in them?

[@jordiamx2340]

I have had 2 Granadas, 2.3 liter manual, and 2.8 Ghia Automatic, and 3 Capris, a 2.0 V6 Cologne Mk1 GT XLR, a 3.0 V6 Essex Mk2 GT, and a 2.8 Injection V6 Mk3. I have had many other cars, but the Capri has always been MY car. Please, Ford, do it again.

[@deankav5645]

I once purchased a sierra cosworth 4x4,but there was only 2 ever made,they were for the motorway police back in the day,mine was a sapphire 4x4 with a granda 2.9 cosworth bored out to a 3.1 with twin turbo technics.The first one was written off by northampton constablry & i had the only one left,cost me a small fortune back in the early 2000 but was well worth it,shame i did not kep it as prob worth a few bob now.If you google ford sierra cosworth vs jumbo jet in fast ford mag i think it was you will see the car.

[@bendover3968]

l loved my capri too, can't believe l sold it for £80 back in the early 90's

[@FirstOnRaceDayCapri2904]

+Ben Dover what year / model was it? could easily be worth x100 times that now lol

[@Golo1949]

Do you know Phil McCavity by any chance?

[@notmanynamesleft]

Golo1949 🤣😂

[@bearnunnemaker5453]

I didn't even get to sell mine. I was 16 and we had to move from New Jersey to California. My mom made me leave with my uncle and was supposed to come back and get it. Never happened!!!

[@NorthernMouse52]

​@@Golo1949 I'm guessing you have a sore backside then? 😁

[@johncunningham4820]

Yep . Agree . The Capri's were Gorgeous .

[@fordcorsair1500]

Great video mate!!

[@scooby7386]

when you drive cortina and capri after you pass your driving test.... thats when you learn how to drive in the wet :)

[@eatthisvr6]

my 1st car was a 1L MK2 FIESTA, 6 months later i bought a 2.8l granada for £50 (best £50 i ever spent lol) and yes i learned how to drive in that (sideways EVERYWHERE in the rain haha)

[@sonicstep]

You learn to drive in the wet in a Type 1, VW Beetle with cross ply tyres.

[@carsieplg]

325i E30 1991 theres a horseshoe bend not far from me in the wet the 325i was mental fun times

[@wheresfekkesh7375]

I passed my test in a mk 2 escort, my 1st car was a mk 5 cortina, did a 180 degree spin turning right at traffic lights once in the rain 🥵

[@martytdd1606]

For me it was my dad's 1987 Sierra 1.8 L you had to be awake to even drive slowly in wet or slippery conditions, comical handling 😂

[@hoepsipoepsi]

escort mk4 1.4cl s6

[@cljenx1759]

Need more cars like that

[@martinhunt6004]

Lovely motors! I have belted a couple myself.

[@dazspurs9899]

I had a 2.0 Capri lazer was nice car, part ex it for a cavalier sri as needed more practicality,also had an xr3i and an mk2 Granada 2.3gl 👍🏻

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Great episode!!!

[@ScoRS-zu9jz]

Looking back at those fantastic 80s Fords is actually quite sad because they have absolutely nothing today that can match how cool there old line-up was. Great cars

[@fordfool420]

And Matt I have a 2003 Mustang cobra that I bet you'd Love to drive it has independent Rear suspension And a 4.6 DOHC Supercharged V-8 With some nice bolt on Putting down 594 hp In 574 pounds of torque to the rare wheels Through T 56 six speed manual transmission I can almost guarantee that you'd love it Thanks again for such a great video!!!!!!

[@TappiingPad]

Great cars at the time - and still are

[@user-dt1jm9ww5f]

Capri MK3 the best!

[@Tednessful]

The Capri has aged so well. I like the old Consul from the 70s as well.

[@normanrossall3898]

My dad owned several mk7 cortinas and hated them all but my favourite was a classic two tone 4 on the floor 1.1L vanden plas with galvanised trunnions and cast iron wishpins. I can remember all the salesmen rolling around on the floor laughing when he went to pick it up from the dealership but we had the last laugh when my dad sold it for a £1 more than what he paid for it the very next day to our mum.

[@textthing]

I loved the design of the old Escort. And the Granada.

[@jensonosaurus1261]

My dad has his 1998 (I think that’s the year)ford cosworth Sierra sapphire rs sat in his garage for 9 years now!! He’s finally working on it but because he took the battery out the crappy alarm that he installed, because there wasn’t wasn’t alarm when he bought it brand new, means that he has to take the alarm out to start the car. Before this ford he has another ford cosworth Sierra rs 2 door version from the 80’s that was stolen because of the shed locks ford used for these amazing cosworths. The difference is his first one that was stolen is worth a whopping £20,000 more that the one in his garage now as his is £30,000 and his stolen is £50,000. Also he bought both of them brand new and used to race round in them...

[@montybrewster7]

That Brooklands Capri is still the business.

[@gileragfr125]

wow lucky guy love the 280 capri yes ford should do a modern retro capri

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Was that a Gt40 in the background at the start?