A Ford Capri driven by Bodie in the '70s cult classic TV series 'The Professionals' is to go under the hammer.
The automotive TV legend will be sold at auction by H&H Classics later this month.
In The Professionals, aired on ITV from 1977 to 1983 with 57 episodes produced, ladies' man Bodie (Lewis Collins) was an ex-paratrooper, mercenary and SAS sergeant, ruthless and willing to take on criminals on their own terms. His Strato Silver Capri was as much a star as the actors themselves and will be fondly remembered by millions who loved the series.
Ford permanently loaned several near identical Capri 3.0S cars to the production company for filming and promotional purposes. Fans of the series will know that the ones used for action sequences / stunt driving led particularly hard lives! Bodie’s Capri was featured in various magazines and in ‘The Professionals’ book written by Bob Rocca.
Estimated to sell for £35,000 - £45,000, the 1978 Ford Capri 3.0S on offer featured in seven episodes of The Professionals (Series 2) but carried the fake registration ‘UOO 303T’ during filming. A notably early example taken from Ford’s press fleet, its Strato Silver livery was complemented by a tartan plaid Fishnet Recaro interior. Extensively restored two years ago, the former TV star recently graced the front cover of Classic Ford magazine (Summer 2015 issue).
Damian Jones, Sales Manager at H&H Classic, says: “This classic car is also a wonderful piece of entertainment memorabilia. Classic cars and film props are two of the fastest growing areas in collecting where we have seen values soar. You only have to think of Julie Garland’s little gingham dress from the Wizard of Oz which sold recently for $1.5m to have some idea where this film memorabilia market is going.”
The auction takes place April 20 at IWM Duxford. See a short video of the car in action below: