I think you've been outbid spud.
 
Now here's a bargain, courtesy of gumtree.
Typo maybe??
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maitland/engine-engine-parts-transmission/ford-escort-2l-pinto-engine-manual-box-cross-flow-extractors-ono/1133314856 

spud15
ive bid 1k on it - wouldn't go over 8

thats as far as i would go maybe not even  considering how much these things cost to rebuild and to go thru everything  replace all the bits etc  still never know somebody may want a labour of love
only reason id go for it is its not to far from me to check out
 
good luck hope at least it goes to good home and gets back on the road
 
altho not even sure if i want another capri wouldnt mind a wagon of some sort xy x something or valiant , but i will probably end up with a escort mk1 that i always wanted 

deano
Now here's a bargain, courtesy of gumtree.
Typo maybe??
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maitland/engine-engine-parts-transmission/ford-escort-2l-pinto-engine-manual-box-cross-flow-extractors-ono/1133314856 

That engine is so valuable even its location has been withheld!

spud15
ive bid 1k on it - wouldn't go over 8

I'd need to crawl all over the car and parts before I'd consider going over 10.

Left A pillar is from 71 Capri right A pillar from 1972?

.... And then there is the restoration cost of between $25K to $30K.
 
Why is the (perceived) value of these things going ballistic?

well someone did apparently pay 25k for a 4 cyl the other week (a restorer at that) - I guess if u get lucky and get what your after - good on u! (but its not worth 10k (unless u had a specific attachment  to that particular car) - esp if u don't have parts on hand)
They r fun though. Get the seats re-covered, new door trim set and the interior is mostly there. If your ok with a MIG - a couple of weeks work and u have a car that ready for jam. all good fun!

Its a good project, but IMHO not worth 20k.  

i dont think it will hit any more than about 7500- 8k the reserve is still not of .. i did message him to buy out wright but he;s reply was 20gs.. for that money id rather by the 4cyl model on ebay and do a perana replica
 
i got a feeling that the right side quarter needs replacing as he shows every side of that car except for the rhs quater and beaver panel    and has a spare quarter panel , mention's he got 6 fenders but shows the best one so i would be thinking the other 5 are damaged rusted etc of some sort
 
id have to have a real good look at it before id go any where over 7k  as mention go thru every thing he's got make sure i dont have to buy a another 10gs of parts .. having all the parts is one thing but if they need re doing or trimming etc etc  then your up for a lot of cash .. as i found out

accapmad
Why is the (perceived) value of these things going ballistic?

Apart from the people that try to manipulate/hype the market, I think the car 'flipping' phenomenon contributes to a degree. And I'm not talking about someone who buys a project car and fixes it up before selling, it's people who buy a project car for a reasonable price and then immediately try and double their money on ebay, facebook or gumtree without doing a thing to it.