Ford Capri

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The Ford Capri is a

Production of the Capri began in November 1968.[5]^[6] It was unveiled in January 1969 at the Brussels Motor Show, with sales starting the following month. The intention was to reproduce in Europe the success Ford had had with the North American Ford Mustang by producing a European pony car.

It was mechanically based on the

The initial reception of the car was broadly favourable. The range continued to be broadened, with another 3.0 variant, the Capri 3000E introduced from the British plant in March 1970, offering "more luxurious interior trim".[7]

Ford began selling the Capri in the

The Capri was sold in Japan with both the 1.6 L and 2.0 L engines in GT trim, and sales were helped by the fact that this generation was compliant with Japanese government dimension regulations. Sales were handled in Japan by Kintetsu Motors, then an exclusive importer of Ford products to Japan. The 2.0 litre engine required Japanese owners to pay more annual road tax in comparison to the 1.6 litre engine, which affected sales.

A new 2637 cc version of the Cologne V6 engine assembled by

The first Ford Special, was the Capri Vista Orange Special. The Capri Special was launched in November 1971 and was based on the 1600 GT, and 2000 GT models. It was only available in vista orange and was optional dealer fitted with a Ford Rally Sport boot mounted spoiler and rear window slats – a direct link to the Mustang. The Special also had some additional standard extras such as a push-button radio, fabric seat upholstery, inertia reel seat belts, heated rear screen and black vinyl roof.^[11] There were only 1200 Vista Orange Capri Specials made. One of the last limited editions of the original Mk I, was a version that came in either metallic green or black with red interior and featured some additional extras, such as cloth inserts in the seats, hazard lights, map reading light, opening rear windows, vinyl roof and for the first time a bonnet bulge was fitted to the sub-3.0-litre models. This special edition was only available with a 1.6 or 2.0 engines and had the full title of GTXLR Special.

Mk I facelift

The Capri proved highly successful, with 400,000 cars sold in its first two years. Ford revised it in late 1971. It received new and more comfortable suspension, enlarged tail-lights (replacing the one sourced from the Escort Mk1) and new seats. Larger headlamps with separate indicators were also fitted,^[12] with quad headlamps now featured on the 3000GXL model.^[13] The Kent engines were replaced by the Ford Pinto engine and the previously UK-only 3000 GT joined the German line-up. In the UK the 2.0 L V4 remained in use.

In addition, North American versions received larger rubber-covered bumpers (to comply with US DOT regulations) for 1973.

In 1973, the Capri saw the highest sales total it would ever attain, at 233,000 vehicles: the 1,000,000th Capri, an RS 2600, was completed on 29 August.^[14]

On 25 September 1973, Ford gave the green light to the long-awaited RHD RS Capri, replacing the

• 
  1973 Ford Capri
• 
  1974 Ford Capri 3000 GXL
• 
  1974 Ford Capri RS 3100
• 
  1973 Mercury Capri 2600 (USA spec)

Ford Capri Mk II – 'Capri II' (1974–1978)

On 25 February 1974,

Ford introduced the John Player Special limited edition, (known as the JPS) in March 1975. Available only in black or white, the JPS featured yards of gold pinstriping to mimic the Formula 1 livery, gold-coloured wheels, and a bespoke upgraded interior of beige cloth and carpet trimmed with black. In May 1976, and with sales decreasing, the intermediate 3.0 GT models disappeared to give way for the upscale 3.0 S and Ghia designations. In October 1976, the only UK plant producing Capris, Ford's Halewood plant stopped production, and all production of the Capri was moved to the Cologne factory in Germany.^[25]

The last year that Capris were made for the US market was 1977, with 513,500 cars sold in the year.

• 
  Rear
• 
  The MkII is easily identified by the two large rectangular Hella H4 headlamps.

Engines

Ford Capri Mk III (1978–1986)

The Capri Mk III was referred to internally as "Project Carla", and although little more than an update of the Capri II, it was often referred to as the Mk III.

At launch the existing engine and transmission combinations of the Capri II were carried over, with the 3.0 S model regarded as the most desirable model although in Britain the softer, more luxurious Ghia derivative with automatic, rather than manual transmission, was the bigger seller of the two V6-engined models. In Germany, the "S" models were by far the most popular equipment level (across all engines), representing 63 percent of Capri sales there.[48]

Ford began to focus their attention on the UK Capri market as sales declined elsewhere, realising the car had something of a cult following there. Unlike sales of the contemporary four-door

However, the rise in popularity of "hot hatchbacks" and sports saloons during the early 1980s saw demand for affordable sports car fall throughout

In addition to being the most popular sporting model in Britain for most of its production life, the third generation Capri was also one of the most stolen cars in Britain during the 1980s and early 1990s, being classified as "high risk" of theft in a Home Office report.^[49]

The 3.0 S was used extensively in the TV series The Professionals in the early 1980s, with characters Bodie driving a silver 3.0 S and Doyle a gold 3.0 S.^{[citation needed]}

On 30 November 1984 production of Capris for the European market ceased, from then on it would only be produced in right-hand drive form for the British market. Ford had decided not to launch a direct successor to the Capri, as it did not feel that demand for affordable coupes in Europe was sufficient enough for a new Capri to be developed. Ford was, however, enjoying success with high performance versions of the Fiesta, Escort and Sierra, which appealed mostly to buyers who might have been expected to buy a Capri before 1980.

Ford made a return to the coupe market in Europe when the

Series X & GP1

The Mark II and Mark III 3.0 litre X-pack special performance options pack for the Capri were offered between 1977 and 1980. They used a special glassfibre wide bodykit made by Fibresports, larger ventilated front disc brakes (retaining the standard drums at the rear), Bilstein gas-filled rear dampers and front struts (used with single rear leaf springs), an "anti-dive kit", a Salisbury limited slip differential (LSD) and a choice of two performance upgrades for Essex V6 3.0 L engines. The first upgrade, called the GP1 or Group 1 pack, bumped power up to 170 hp (127 kW). This engine included larger valves, ported cylinder heads and a Weber 40 DFI5 carburetor and other optional performance upgrades. The second option, referred to as Series X or X Pack, offered 185 hp (138 kW) and 195 lb/ft of torque, thanks to three Weber 42 DCNF two-barrel carburetors fed by an electric fuel pump, the same ported cylinder heads and larger inlet and exhaust valves as the GP1. It used special head gaskets even though the standard compression ratio of 9.0:1 and standard camshaft were retained. The X Pack was also equipped with a wing as standard and it featured unique 7.5 x 13 inch wheels, for which a special bodykit was made. The X Pack included a free flowing performance exhaust system with distinctive flattened rear ends. The X Pack Capri could reach 60 mph from standing in 7.4 seconds, a full second faster than the standard 3.0-litre Capri, and had a top speed of 130 mph. These upgrades could only be bought through and fitted by one of the 80 Ford RS Motorsport dealerships in the UK, or a complete new car could be ordered factory equipped through a Ford Motorsport dealer. It is estimated that little over 100 conversions were made.

The X Pack was also available in mainland Europe between 1979 and 1980 where it was marketed as the 3.0 RS even though it's wasn't ever an official RS like the 2600 or 3100. All were white with blue stripes and used standard 3.0 Engines, Only 100 of these were ever made, and 1980 was the last year for both the German RS and British X Pack. The next year the 3.0 engine option disappeared completely to give way for the new 2.8 Injection models.^{[50][51][52][53][54][55]}

2.8 Turbo

From July 1981 to September 1982, German RS dealers marketed a limited edition, Zakspeed inspired, left-hand drive only, 'Werksturbo' model capable of 220 km/h (137 mph).^[56] Based on the 3.0 S, this derivative featured widened Series X bodywork, front and rear 'Ford Motorsport' badged spoilers, deep 7.5j four-spoked RS alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli P7 235/60VR13 tyres and an RS badged engine. The engine was based on a normally aspirated carburetor equipped 2.8-litre Cologne V6, Ford Granada (Europe) engine using electronic ignition, a Tufftrided crankshaft, heavy duty head gaskets and oil pump, an oil cooler and a single Garrett T4 turbocharger providing 5.4 psi of boost, a limited slip differential, Bilstein dampers all around, an anti dive kit, uprated RS anti roll bars and single rear leaf springs, the engine put out 188 Hp at 5500 rpm. Figures of around 200 produced examples are common, but numbered transmission tunnels possibly indicate 155 conversions were made.^[57][58][59]

Tickford Turbo

The Tickford Capri used a turbocharged 2.8 Injection Cologne engine which developed 205 hp (153 kW), allowing it to reach 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds and 100 miles per hour in 18.5 seconds, topping out at 137 miles per hour.^{[60][full citation needed]} This version also featured a luxury interior with optional full leather retrim and Wilton carpeting and headlining,^[61] large rear spoiler, colour-coded front grille, deeper bumpers and 'one off' bodykit designed by Simon Saunders, later of KAT Designs and now designer of the Ariel Atom.

Rear disc brakes were standard on the Tickford, which featured numerous other suspension modifications. This model was essentially rebuilt by hand by Tickford at approximately 200 hours per car. It sold only 80 units. One problem was the relative price difference to the standard Capri Injection, with the Tickford version costing twice as much.^[61]

What is thought to be the last Capri registered in the UK is a white Tickford registered on 11 September 1991 with the registration number J4AJA.^[62]

Turbo Technics conversions

Independent tuner Turbo Technics also released a turbocharged 200 hp (149 kW) and 230 hp (172 kW) evolution which came supplied with a specially built gearbox. The Tickford Capri pricing issues meant that Ford also sanctioned the Turbo Technics conversion as semi-official, although only the German RS and British Tickford ever appeared in Ford literature as official Ford products.

Capri Laser

From November 1984 onwards, the Capri was sold only in Britain, with only right hand drive cars being made from this date. The normally aspirated 1.6 and 2.0 variants were rebranded with a new trim level – "Lasers" – which featured a fully populated instrument pod, leather

The very last Laser Capri came off the line in November 1986, painted in a unique "Mercury Grey" colour. This car was registered on 8 May 1987 in Sussex and is to be found in a collection of classic cars in Gillingham, Kent.

Capri 280

The last run limited edition Capri 280, nicknamed "Brooklands" referring to the name of the particular shade of green that all Capri 280 models were painted in, featured a

When the last Capri was made on 19 December 1986 at the Ford factory in Cologne, 1,886,647 Capris had rolled off the production lines.

The last Capri made (registered as D194 UVW) still exists today, and is owned by Ford's heritage workshop. The "Brooklands" models had a steep price tag of around £12,000 and struggled to sell. Sales continued through 1987 and 1988, with the last 280 being registered on 20 November 1989 (registration mark G749 NGP) making it also the only G-reg Capri, and the next-to-last Capri to have been registered – though it is estimated that there are 3 Capri 280s that have never been registered, one of them being a 230 HP Turbo Technics conversion, and two standard cars.^[63] Production had ended at Halewood, UK in 1976 and the Capri was made exclusively in Germany from 1976 to 1986. Most of those (more than a million) were the Mk I, because the Mk I sold well in North America and Australia, while the Mk II and Mk III were only exported outside Europe (to Asia and New Zealand) in limited numbers.^[64][65]

Engines

Police use

Throughout its production run, Ford Capris were operated by the traffic divisions of some police forces in the United Kingdom. A fleet of Mk.I 3000 GT Capris were first introduced to the Lancashire Constabulary in 1971, with further examples entering service with police forces in Merseyside, Sussex, the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland and Strathclyde Police in Scotland.^[94] Most notably, Ford Capris were operated extensively in the traffic division of Greater Manchester Police, as well as its predecessor Manchester and Salford Police. High-performance Capris were delivered to the force from 1971 until 1986, when a final fleet of Mk.III 2.8 Injection Capris were delivered.^[94] Greater Manchester Police would eventually retire their last Mk.III 2.8i Capri in 1992, which would be replaced by a Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth.^[95][96] Mk.1 Ford Capris 2300 GTs were also operated by Autobahnpolizei in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, with four entering service in Hilden in 1969.^[97][98]

Outside Europe

North America

Capri

From 1970 to 1978, the Capri was sold in North America through Ford's

Originally, Cologne-built Capris imported to North America were fitted only with the British 1600 OHV (1.6 L), 64 hp (48 kW) Kent engine with the four-speed manual transmission. The 1971 Capri offered the Kent-built 1600 I4 and the optional, Cologne-built OHC 2000 (2.0 L) I4 engine for improved performance with 101 hp (75 kW). An optional three-speed automatic transmission (a Ford Cruise-o-Matic C4, also shared with the Pinto) was made available with the 2000 I4 engine. In 1972–73, the 2000 I4 became the standard engine, and an OHV 2600 (2.6 L) Cologne V6 was optional, which produced 120 hp (89 kW). The 1600 I4 was dropped. For 1974, new engines were used—the OHC 2300 (2.3 L) I4 and OHV 2800 (2.8 L) Cologne V6; producing 88 hp (66 kW) and 105 hp (78 kW) respectively.^[99] The engines were carried over for the 1976–77 Capri ll hatchback models, although the V6's power had crept up to 109 hp (81 kW) at 4,800 rpm.^[100] The last Capris were brought in 1977 although sales continued into 1978. Capri sales had slid considerably by the time of the introduction of the Capri II, and the high price contributed to ending sales of German-built Capris in the US.^[100]

• 
  1983 Mercury Capri RS
• 
  1990 Mercury Capri Convertible

In 1979, no longer importing the Ford Capri, but capitalising on the model's positive image, Mercury dealers began selling a new Capri that was a restyled derivative of the Fox-bodied Ford Mustang and was produced until 1986. Mercury introduced yet another Capri in 1990, but this was the Australian produced, Mazda-based, 2+2 seat, front-wheel drive convertible.

Australia

Mk I (1969–1972)

The

• 
  1969 Ford Capri Deluxe 1600
• 
  1969 Ford Capri 1600GT
• 
  1970 Ford Capri 1600XL
• 
  1970 Ford Capri GT/V6

In November 1972, production of the Capri ended in Australia, with a total of 14,638 vehicles having been assembled. In June/July, 1974, Ford Australia imported fifty RS3100 models. Ford Australia also imported four examples of the Capri II (Mk.2), albeit for show purposes only. Neither the Mk.1 facelift (except the RS3100) Capri nor the subsequent Mk.2 and Mk.3 models were produced or officially sold in Australia (though they were heavily involved in Australian motorsport and many have been privately imported). Ford Australia concentrated its sales efforts on other UK sourced products, namely the Escort and Cortina sedans.

SA30 (1989–1994)

From 1989 to 1994 Ford Australia reused the Capri name for an unrelated two-door convertible sports car, coded the SA30. The new model was exported to the United States, where it was marketed as the Mercury Capri. A small portion were sold in Australia.

South Africa

Ford of South Africa assembled the Capri from 1970 to late 1972 with a similar model range to the UK. No facelift models or RS variants were marketed in South Africa. The Essex V6 was the most common engine, as it was assembled locally – the Pinto "four" was not installed. The 1600 four and three-litre V6 were also available.^[101]

About 500 Capris were converted by specialist Basil Green Motors to run the 302

No Mk II and Mk III Capris were exported to, or built in South Africa.

Motorsport

Zakspeed Ford Capri

A

In 2009, it was reported that a new Capri model was being developed. The car was supposedly a two door hatchback based on the Focus, fitted with a 1.6 litre Ecoboost engine and aimed at competing with the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Mégane RS market.^[106] The car was never produced.

In early 2023, there was speculation that Ford could revive the Capri nameplate in Europe as an electric sports crossover coupe, similar to the revival of the Puma nameplate in 2019. Though the Capri name has not been confirmed by Ford, instead being named the "Sport Crossover" prior to an official launch in 2024, the vehicle would be based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform and would share technology and design cues from the 2024 Ford Explorer EV.^{[107][108][109]} A camouflaged pre-production vehicle would later be photographed driving around Cologne in November 2023.^[110][111]

See also

• Ford Mustang
• Ford Probe
• Ford Puma
• Ford Visos
• Mercury Capri

References

Further reading

• Halwart Schrader, Ulrich Knaack (Red.): Ford Capri 1969–1987. Eine Dokumentation (= Schrader-Typen-Chronik). Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2007,
  ISBN 978-3-613-02712-1
  .
• Reil, Andreas A.: Die Legende aus Köln. Die Geschichte des Ford Capri auf DVD. Mediabook-Verlag, Gau-Heppenheim 2003,
  ISBN 3-932972-40-6
  .
• Tuchen, Bernd: Ford Capri – Alles über das legendäre Sportcoupé. GeraMond, München 2009,
  ISBN 978-3-7654-7716-4
  .
• Tuchen, Bernd: Klassiker exakt: Ford Capri I. Entwicklung, Technik, Daten.
  ISBN 978-3-927485-32-7
  .

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford Capri and Mercury Capri.

• Mercury Capri at
  Curlie