Eric Cantona, Manchester United’s self-professed “King,” has never been one for understatement, whether on the pitch, in a press conference, or, as it turns out, when unveiling his latest ride. Social media recently erupted as Cantona revealed his custom all-electric Ford Capri—an electrifying homage not just to a classic car, but to Cantona’s legendary aura itself.
The car, resplendent in “Signal Orange”—a shade with the subtlety of a kung-fu kick to the chest—draws inspiration from the 1970 Mark III Capri. This isn’t just a retro-nod; it’s a statement that the legend, much like the Capri itself, is back from retirement and running (quietly, and emissions-free) against the herd of modern motoring mediocrity.
Cantona’s signature is everywhere, from the gloss-black number 7 (because, of course, you don’t forget “Le Roi’s” shirt) emblazoned on the door, to the 3D crown-shaped emblem gracing the rear. But the pièce de résistance—and source of much online giggling—is the front headrest, into which is stitched the silhouette of his infamous kung-fu kick. Yes, the very one that introduced a Crystal Palace fan’s chest to airborne French philosophy in 1995. Some fans, always eager to add their own spin, suggested the boot should open with a kung-fu kick motion; others clamored for a Cantona-voiced satnav giving directions with existential flair (“At the next roundabout, turn left… as the seagulls follow the trawler”).
Yet not all were swept away by the King’s latest coup. One wag observed that the headrest silhouette looked less “kick” and more “commode,” sparking another round of online wisecracks. But let’s face it—Cantona has always been a master of polarizing performance art, whether opposite a ball, a goat (his pet recently debuted in a viral social media interview), or now, the iconic Ford badge.
The car itself is the product of a year-long collaboration between Cantona and Ford, relaunched with such hype that even Ford’s modern designers probably felt the pressure to channel their inner enfant terrible. Cantona, seldom one for modesty, put it best: “The legend is back. And so is The King. My crown sits on the back of the car, my iconic number 7 is on the door and a silhouette of my kung-fu kick is stitched into the front headrest. Remember, when a goat follows his hero in his car, it’s because the ruler on the race track returns”.
So, whether you’re a nostalgic Red Devil, a fan of automotive theatre, or just someone who appreciates a bit of French eccentricity supercharged by lithium-ion batteries, one thing’s for sure, Cantona’s Capri probably leaves the parking lot with a bit of a kick.
