Lifelong Love: Man Cherishes 50-Year Bond with His Classic Ford Capri

PYNE, England – For David Doyle, his 1969 Ford Capri is more than just a car—it’s a cherished family member.

Having owned the vehicle since 1974, Doyle’s emotional attachment has spanned nearly five decades, with memories of family life, long drives, and a deep connection to his late wife, Kath, woven into every inch of the car.

Doyle, who lives in Pyne near Exeter, originally bought the second-hand Capri for £625 as a practical upgrade from his Austin Healey Sprite, which couldn’t accommodate the arrival of his first child.

Over the years, he has invested more than £40,000 restoring it to what he proudly describes as “better than factory” condition.

Yet, in 2012, he nearly let go of the car due to its deteriorating state. “It was my late wife Kath whose persuasion stopped me from scrapping the car,” Doyle said. “I’m forever indebted to her amazing vision.”

The restoration process, which took place between 2012 and 2014, saw the car stripped down to its shell before being rebuilt to pristine condition. “She’s probably in better shape now than when she left the factory in 1969,” Doyle remarked.

A Family Legacy on Wheels

Affectionately known as “Bessie,” the Capri has been a constant presence in Doyle’s life, even playing a role in his early days of fatherhood. In 1974, he managed to fit a pram into the back of the car—with just an inch to spare—by removing its wheels.

“The top of the pram went on the back seat with no seatbelt on it in those days and the baby rolled around,” Doyle recalled with a chuckle. “It’s probably why my daughter’s got a bad neck.”

Doyle, originally from London, has fond memories of driving the Capri around Heathrow Airport’s tunnels, relishing the sound of its engine. “Back in 1974, I would say to my then-wife, ‘I’m popping out for half an hour.’ ‘I know where you’re going,’ she would say,” Doyle recounted.

His enthusiasm for the vehicle was not limited to casual drives. “If you wanted to add a bit of throttle, you could drift the back end out,” he said, before adding, “but that was back then. I don’t do it now—I treat her with the utmost respect because she’s an old lady.”

Bringing People Together

Since restoring the Capri, Doyle has been a regular at classic car shows, often accompanied by his partner, Chloe. He finds joy in the nostalgic connections people make when they see the vehicle.

“You go to a show, and retired guys come up and say, ‘I used to work in the factory where these parts were made,'” he said. “It’s suddenly, bang, memories, and they light up and tell you all these stories.”

For Doyle, the car is more than just a machine—it’s a portal to the past, carrying with it decades of memories, friendships, and sentimental value.

“I know it’s an inanimate object,” he admitted, “but it’s part of the family.”

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members