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An SA car story: This awesome vintage Ford Capri is a heart-warming video tribute to one special father

Cars are a particularly great way for dads to bond and develop a relationship with their kids.

Ivan Chetty, who hails from Durban, fondly recalls boyhood memories of his father: "I learnt to drive in a Ford Cortina.

"I was 13 years old when my dad gave me my first driving lessons!"

In memory and honour of Dad

Two years after losing his father, Chetty bought himself a vintage Ford Capri.

He said: "When I was growing up, my dad actually had a whole range of Fords. And the Capri was one of his favourites. He always said that Ford is one of the few cars that you can really rough handle and enjoy, and I tend to agree."

It took Chetty six years to restore his Capri to her former glory, and he did such a good job that, in 2015, she landed the cover of Speed and Sound, one of South Africa’s biggest performance car magazines.

"I built this Capri GT because I wanted an old skool car, something that would bring me the same sense of excitement my dad must’ve felt when he was driving his Capri," says Chetty.

"Parts were not easy to come by, but I had good support from family and friends, who helped me locate pretty much everything I needed.

"I bought a V8 engine and gearbox from Pietermaritzburg, and my cousin’s mechanic fitted it.

"We did a few modifications to the motor, like putting in an electronic distributor. I ordered the rims, which they built to spec. I had the car painted, and the interior done in Phoenix."

Take a look at the video of Chetty's Ford Capri restoration:


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