EBAY RESTORATION LIVE LINES UP CLASSIC FORD FOR SILVERSTONE CLASSIC
Fergus Walkinshaw’s team face a race against the clock for second year running
eBay RESTORATION LIVE is returning to the Silverstone Classic with a mission to restore a classic 1984 Ford Capri in just three days, using parts and accessories bought from eBay.co.uk.
A team of expert mechanics led by racing driver and car restorer Fergus Walkinshaw will bring a 33-year-old, 2.8 Injection Capri back to life live in front of festival-goers over the last weekend in July (28-30th). Starting on Friday, they will race against the clock and – if all goes to plan – show off the Capri as part of Mike Brewer’s Car Clinic on Sunday.
The finished car will then be auctioned on eBay, with all proceeds going to the event’s official charity Prostate Cancer UK.
The Capri is completely original with no aftermarket modifications and has had just one owner from new. But with 85,000 miles on the clock – and barely any time on the road in the last decade – it needs a complete overhaul.
The mechanics’ to-do list includes a full engine service, repairs to the suspension, drivetrain and braking system, repairs to rust and dents on the bodywork.
This year, Fergus’ team of five mechanics will also include a mechanic from Mission Motorsport, a charity which aids the recovery and rehabilitation of those affected by military operations by providing opportunities through motorsport.
Once the 130mph Capri is mechanically sound again, Fergus plans to bring it up to near concours condition, using a mixture of refurbished elements from the car and parts sourced from online marketplace eBay.
The challenge is a completely different one to that faced by the team last year, when they renovated an iconic first-generation Range Rover to its original condition – a breakneck restoration described as “a miracle” by Mike Brewer when it roared onto the eBay stage.
Fergus’ team is made up of:
Francis Stokes. Recommended for eBay RESTORATION LIVE by Mission Motorsport, 24-year-old Francis is the youngest member of the team. He was medically discharged from The Household Cavalry earlier this year, but has been involved with the charity since 2016, attending motoring events and spending time at the Renault Sport Formula 1 factory. He’s currently doing a NVQ Level 3 in Light Vehicle Maintenance through a course run by Mission Motorsport. After his eight-year career with the British Army was cut short for medical reasons, his goal is now to become a full-time member of a race team.
Darren Thompson. Stockport-based Darren (45) is a vastly experienced mechanic. He has worked with a number of motorsport outfits, including Fergus’ own FW Motorsport, and Ric Wood Motorsports – run by performance engine specialist and life-long Capri enthusiast Ric Wood – making him a natural pick for this year’s eBay RESTORATION LIVE. His race team credentials include Anthony Seddon Racing, WRC, BTCC, BARC and Race of Champions.
Liam Gregory. Liam may only be 25, but he already has two years with the Williams F1 team under his belt. He was part of Fergus’ team for the inaugural eBay RESTORATION LIVE last year – something he rates as one of the toughest challenges of his career. His other favourite work includes a weekend at Brands Hatch and a victorious Le Mans project. Once the Silverstone Classic weekend is over, he’ll be heading back to the Williams wind tunnel.
Fred Palmer. Self-taught mechanic Fred (26) has many strings to his bow. As well as working in motorsport, he’s been director of a joinery firm. His race credentials include BTCC and he’s previously worked with Fergus on FW Motorsport projects.
Simon Gilson. Simon’s day job is a mechanic for the Ministry of Defence’s driving school, but he also finds time to work as a race mechanic. A rally specialist, the 38-year-old found himself rebuilding the front end of a Subaru Impreza after it went headlong into a wall at the BRC rally a few years ago, so he’s not daunted by a second stint on the eBay RESTORATION LIVE team. He’s spent 13 years with the MoD, and is also an experienced agricultural mechanic.
Brett Spilman. Like Simon, Stockport-based Brett is a rally expert. He’s run his own garage for the last eight years, but for the last three he’s also travelled around Europe with an Evo 5, Group N rally car, a vehicle he helped build. The 41-year-old has also rebuilt and carried out an engine conversion on his BMW E30 track car, and built a drift car to teach himself car control.
Murray Lambell, eBay’s director of trading, said, “Last year’s Silverstone Classic crowds got to see what a team at the very top of their game can achieve when the pressure is on. We’re delighted to welcome Fergus and the guys back to eBay RESTORATION LIVE in 2017 and I can’t wait to see what they do with this automotive icon of the ‘80s.
“Whether you love the Capri, restorations or you’re just a car enthusiast, RESTORATION LIVE will have something for you – just like eBay itself.”
Fergus Walkinshaw, Founder of FW Motorsport, said, “Restoring the Range Rover in just three days was a tremendous achievement last year, of which we’re extremely proud. We know what to expect and to bring even more specialist knowledge to the 2017 Capri project. Preparation is key, so we’re going to be busy sourcing all of the parts and accessories we’ll need in the run up to the Silverstone Classic. It’s going to be a great experience and we can’t wait to get started.”
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For more information, please contact eBay@hellolaunch.co.uk or call: 0207 758 3900
Notes to Editors
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The Silverstone Classic is firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival. The epic event attracts more than 1,000 race entries and draws crowds of more than 100,000. The spectacular classic car celebration is staged at the famous Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, birthplace of the FIA Formula One World Championship and home to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. The three-day festival features the very best of historic motor racing covering more than eight decades of motor sport, as well as live music from iconic rock bands and a wealth of family entertainment. This includes a free funfair, retail outlets, a host of interactive activities, a two-day classic car auction, air displays plus huge showcases of classic cars often celebrating important milestones in automotive history. Over 120 car clubs are signed-up to display more than 10,000 classic cars over the weekend of the event.