Eric Cantona’s One-Off Ford Capri: A Kung-Fu Legend In Electric Form

 in one of the most unexpected and surreal collaborations in modern automotive history, former manchester united and leeds united legend eric cantona has teamed up with ford to create a one-off, bespoke version of the newly launched electric ford capri suv. the result is not just a car—it’s a rolling, humming, battery-powered work of automotive performance art infused with wild nostalgia, cryptic philosophy, and footballing mythology. for a man who once kung-fu kicked a spectator and later delivered an existential monologue about seagulls and trawlers, this project is perfectly on-brand. the ford capri, a name pulled from the archives and reborn as a sleek, electrified suv, now wears cantona’s creative fingerprint like a royal seal. it’s signal orange, bold, rebellious, and stitched with history—literally. because yes, the kung-fu kick? it’s now embroidered into the headrests.

A Vintage Shade For A Modern Sculpture

the base for this one-off is the capri rwd extended range model, which means underneath all the theatrical touches lies a fully functional electric suv with up to 369 miles of range, rear-wheel drive, and solid performance credentials. but those technical specs become background noise when faced with the flamboyant exterior. finished in signal orange—a color taken directly from the mk3 capri of the early 1980s—the car instantly taps into a retro visual language, but with the drama turned up to eleven. painted, not wrapped, this bright hue forms the foundation for an extravagant exterior design layered with custom racing stripes in gloss black that streak across the bonnet, roof, and rear deck. a black rear wing adds to the sporty aesthetic, as do bespoke 21-inch black wheels with dark silver accents. the bodywork also features thick black side stripes, another nod to the original capri, culminating in a painted number “7” in reference to cantona’s famed jersey number. his signature, rendered in gloss black, and a small metallic crown badge on the c-pillar further declare this as a car made in the image of footballing royalty.

Kung-Fu In Leather And Thread

step inside, and the one-off capri becomes even more surreal. the cabin is draped in black leather, contrasted by hand-applied orange detailing that carries the theme inward from the bodywork. the seats feature two orange stripes to mimic the bonnet graphics, and the steering wheel’s lower spoke is also painted in signal orange, a small detail that ties the entire interior design together with purpose. but the centerpiece—the iconography that turns this car into a cultural artifact—is found stitched into the headrests: a silhouette of eric cantona’s infamous kung-fu kick at selhurst park in 1995. for those unfamiliar, this was the moment that defined cantona as not only a maverick but a mythological figure. it led to a nine-month ban from football and 120 hours of community service. and now, it’s immortalized in thread on an electric ford. it’s strange, it’s hilarious, it’s slightly absurd—and completely unforgettable.

When The Goat Returns… And Other Cantonaisms

cantona’s presence doesn’t just linger in the aesthetics; it permeates the capri’s very identity. on the center console, beneath a piece of plexiglas, sits a bizarre quote from the man himself, purposefully etched into the vehicle’s soul. “when a goat follows his hero in his car, it’s because the ruler on the racetrack returns. the legend is back.” this line, a sort of spiritual sequel to his sardine-trawler metaphor, is at once nonsensical and poetic. it doesn’t need to make perfect sense—because, like cantona, its power lies in interpretation. just as his original quote baffled the press and became folklore, this new statement adds to the mythos of the man and his machine. the capri becomes less a car and more a moving quote board, a philosophical oddity designed to spark thought, confusion, and conversation in equal measure.

Every Detail Handcrafted For A Legend

this isn’t a case of slapping on some decals and calling it a day. ford, under the direction of thomas morel—capri exterior design manager—and cantona himself, committed to this collaboration with remarkable seriousness. the entire car was stripped and rebuilt with bespoke craftsmanship. all exterior graphics were painted by hand with exacting precision. the orange stitching on the seats and steering wheel was done in sync with the car’s broader color scheme, while the interior trim materials were upgraded with feeltek luxury grain upholstery. even the floor mats received a makeover, edged in nubuck and stitched with orange detailing. every inch of this car feels like it belongs in a gallery as much as on a street. it’s designed not just to be driven, but to be seen, discussed, and maybe even revered.

A Car That Reflects A Character

“true joy comes from expression, whether that is on the football pitch, on canvas or the stage,” cantona said at the launch of his capri. “this capri reflects the many facets of cantona – it deserves the title of ‘legend’.” that sentiment, while dripping in self-mythologizing flair, actually rings true. the car is playful, intense, controversial, bold, reflective, strange—and unforgettable. just like the man who designed it. cantona is a master of turning moments into memories. from the chip on his shoulder to the turn of a collar, from a courtroom monologue about seagulls to a cinematic acting career, he lives in moments of expression. and now, those moments have been transferred into ev form. the capri is not merely a ford product; it’s a cantona performance.

One And Done: Not For Sale, Forever A Statement

the sad truth for fans and collectors alike is that this capri is not headed for a dealership or auction house. it’s one-of-one, never to be reproduced, never to be sold. it’s a statement piece. an artifact. a canvas on wheels. ford has made clear that this was a creative collaboration rather than a consumer product, a blend of engineering and eccentricity that proves, even in the realm of electrified suvs, there’s room for artistic madness. in a time where car design can feel increasingly homogenized, this project explodes the mold with style and satire. it’s refreshing. it’s risky. and it’s completely unnecessary—in the best possible way.

Rewriting The Legend Of The Capri

for purists, the reintroduction of the capri as an electric crossover may feel like heresy. but in the context of this collaboration, it becomes a kind of rebirth. by partnering with someone as unpredictable and polarizing as cantona, ford doesn’t just bring back the nameplate—they reboot it for an era where identity matters as much as performance. the capri name no longer simply refers to a sporty coupe for the masses. now, it references a car that can carry stories, provoke emotion, and stir controversy, much like the original did decades ago. the cantona capri is, therefore, not a betrayal of the name, but a continuation of its spirit—brash, confident, and uncompromising.

Conclusion: An Evolutionary Kick To The Status Quo

in the end, the eric cantona ford capri isn’t just a car—it’s a statement on culture, art, memory, and expression. it represents the intersection between sport and design, the chaos of human nature stitched into clean electric minimalism. it’s an embodiment of cantona’s contradictions—disciplined and wild, refined and reckless. and in a time when many automakers play it safe, this collaboration dares to be weird. it dares to wear orange. it dares to stitch a kung-fu kick into its luxury headrests. and in doing so, it becomes a legend not because of its performance stats or market placement, but because of its soul.

this one-off capri isn’t for everyone. it wasn’t meant to be. it was made for the king—and maybe that’s enough.