Memory lane

Long ago, when it was new on the road, the Ford Capri was hyped as "the car you always promised yourself". Originally launched in 1969 and in production for 17 years, the Capri was very successful, with more than 1.9million sold across Europe. The slogan resonated as I drove this well preserved 1977 example through the lanes of Sussex this afternoon.

This 37-year-old Capri has had rather a charmed life. With a 1.6 litre engine and 104 mph top speed, its list price back in the 1970s was £1,415. Since 2005 it has been in Ford's heritage collection, but before that it was that very rare breed - a genuine one-lady-owner car. She cosseted it, rarely drove it very far, and clocked fewer than 25,000 miles in 28 years of ownership. The bodywork has never been restored, and is immaculate.

Stepping back into motoring history is a reminder of how far cars have come. The Capri has brakes that feel no urgency to slow you down, narrow tyres, a big spindly steering wheel and squidgy seats. It also has a choke knob that you have to pull out before the engine will fire - remember those? If you are under 40, probably not!