Classic 80s Ford cop car that took Moors Murderer Ian Brady to find victims sells for £22k
A 1986 Ford Capri Injection, once used to transport prolific murderer Ian Brady to Saddleworth Moor, has sold at auction for over £22,000.
The police vehicle, which played a role in one of the UK’s most infamous criminal cases, is now owned by classic car enthusiast John King.
The Capri was one of 19 allocated to Greater Manchester Police and was used by a chief superintendent.
But in 1987, it became part of a convoy escorting Brady back to the moors where he and accomplice Myra Hindley buried their victims during the Moors murders of the 1960s.
And owner John says the car’s dark history lends to its mystique.
Brady was taken there in an effort to locate the remains of missing 12-year-old Keith Bennett, whose body was never found.
Despite multiple owners, the cherished classic remains in pristine condition.
It still has its original sirens, blue lights, internal police phone, and walkie-talkie, alongside its striking white, orange and blue police livery.
The toggle switch for the lights and sirens remains intact under the bonnet.
Having undergone a light respray and minor repairs since its retirement from police service in the 1990s, the vehicle has only clocked 94 miles since 2006, despite a total mileage of 55,000.
The car was sold by Mathewson’s Auctioneers in Pickering, North Yorkshire.
It’s hammer price was £17,500 but this went up to £22,575 after fees and VAT.
The original cost of the 1986 Ford Capri was £11,999, although the police would have had a discounted price.
The car was bought by classic car enthusiast John King, 60, from Shropshire.
The former Bentley and Rolls Royce engineer said: “I drove a Capri when I was younger and I thought this was a great car that I had to have.
“I have had all sorts of classic cars and even though I hadn’t seen it before the auction I thought it would be great to take to shows.
“This was the car in front of the van and escorted Ian Brady back to the Moors. I think that just adds to the interest and intrigue in the car.
“I also own Eric Morecambe’s Rolls Royce. I think my wife just accepts that I’m going to buy cars.”
Dave Mathewson, auctioneer at Mathewson’s, said: “This was one of a lot of interesting cars that we had as it was from an era when a police department would just go and buy a sports car.
“Capri collectors are a loyal, if slightly eccentric, lot, so we knew it would sell well and we’re very happy with the result.
“It was a great sale and a fantastic end to our year in the run up to Christmas.”
The Ford Capri is named for the island of Capri in the Gulf of Naples.
It was first produced in 1968, with cars being used by the Greater Manchester Police between 1971 and 1986.
By 1992 the Sierra RS Cosworth succeeded the last Capris within the police force.
Earlier this year, another Ford Capri, with just 28,000 miles on the clock, was for sale for just £8,500.
Meanwhile, a stunning Ford Capri 2.8 Laser was found in a barn in Portsmouth, Hampshire, by YouTuber IMSTOKZE – who uploaded the find on his channel.