Though well - do it in the United States , the 1971 - 1978 Ford Capri and Ford Capri II origins were in Europe . Ford Motor Company thought it was launching a European Mustang when its British and German arm developed the sport coupe . In the mental process , though , Ford also created a sexy import model for the American marketplace .
Classic Cars Image Gallery
April 17 , 1964 , was an exciting 24-hour interval for many at the Ford Motor Company . With fingers crossed and hopes eminent , they were about to loose a sporty small coupe on the American road . Its spillage would create a whole new niche marketplace . Within two yr , more than 1 million of Ford ’s new " ponycars " were in garages all over the United States , with some having pop off as far aside as Europe .
The unexampled car was , of course , the Mustang . It did quite well in Europe , too , but it was still an American export and it was burdened oversea with expensive duty , duties , and other related to government fees . It did n’t take long for those postulate with Ford ’s external operations to realise that there was major sales potential for a form of ponycar in alien countries . Thus was laid the cornerstone for a European version of the Mustang .
In June 1965 , the software program destination of this newfangled car were established . Just as the Mustang had been endure of the Falcon platform , a similarly utilitarian vehicle was needed to dissemble as the cornerstone for the European version . ( technology costs had to be go along to minimum by using as many subsist respite , electrical , and drivetrain part as possible . ) Such a cable car was uncommitted in the popular Cortina , bring about by Ford of England since the autumn of 1962 .
The next ingredients that had to be addressed implicated passenger capacity . It was decided that like its Mustang first cousin , it should be a car that could be enjoyed by the whole family with seat mental ability for four , and it had to render as quiet and prosperous a ride as potential . On top of this , Ford executives wanted the unexampled machine to return responsive treatment , and most significantly , have stunning , gross sales - winning flavor .
By July 1966 , the Modern ponycar with continental flair had won final approving for production . Everyone involved like what they saw , and enthusiasm was not contained just to Ford of England , but also extend to Ford ’s German headquarters in Cologne . From the start , it had been planned that the European ponycar would be gather at the Halewood installation in the United Kingdom , plus the Cologne and Saarlouis works in Germany .
What to call it ? Ford of England had been using the varsity letter " C " in naming most of its models . During development , the design team had latched on to the name " Colt " as a wreak title . However , those in direction of marketing wanted something more brawny that would suggest exhilaration and " zing " to the European buyers for whom they were aiming .
After much give-and-take and research , one name seemed to come across all these requirement : Capri . fill from a small island off the coast of southern Italy , Capri seemed perfect for a jaunty little car , conjuring up vision of gentle sea pushover and carefree holidays .
Capri was a name already familiar to European motorists , having graced a sleek hardtop coupe in the British Ford Consul line in the early Sixties . The name also had a history in America , which finally shew fortunate even though the U.S. market was n’t ab initio in consideration to get this European ponycar . It had first been used in the States for a special Lincoln Cosmopolitan coupe starting in 1950 . From 1952 to 1958 , there was a Capri series in the Lincoln lineup . Then Mercury come to the name as a trim level of the medium Comet 1966 - 1967 .
Ford waited until the last day of the Brussels Auto Show in January 1969 to unveil its European ponycar . While waitress until the end of the show might seem to be a fleck anticlimactical , the effect boosted attendance on the last day to record levels , and the car was hailed as an instant success in conception and concept . On February 5 , 1969 , a few days after the Brussels show close , Capri go on sale across Europe and the UK .
For more information on cars, see:
Capri Styling
Promoted as " The Car You Always Promised Yourself , " the 1971 - 1978 Ford Capri and Ford Capri II had something for everyone . The aim , produce under the direction of German - born Uwe Bahnsen , was proper on the mark for stylish and sporty . Several traits seen in some of Bahnsen ’s former piece of work , admit the 1960 - 64 German Ford Taunus 17 M , were carried over to Capri ’s initial pattern .
applied science and styling detail were a collaboration of Ford of Germany and English Ford teams . Stylewise , it featured the farsighted nose that represented performance . The passenger compartment was spacious enough for four , yet created a visibility that was compact and flowing , The " notchback " deck was keep short , and while this limited usable trunk blank , it convey the sport - coupe spirit .
It was no mistake that these styling pool stick were also apportion with the American Mustang . From the canonical profile of the auto to the graven bodyside features – including simulated zephyr vents in front of the rearward wheel lodging – Capri was travel along a get ahead formula ( though in just one body style instead of Mustang ’s three ) . Up front was a wide-eyed horizontal grillwork have two orthogonal halogen headlights that sprucely held the turn bespeak inside the fixtures . To the keister , a fair demonstration of combined tail assembly , Pteridium aquilinum , and signaling brightness level were domiciliate in large pods .
In the passenger compartment , easy seating for four was exhibit in a selection of nylon - weave framework or textured all - vinyl coverings . Like the Mustang , many items that were optional on other elevator car were standard on Capri , such as style sword wheels and interior appointments including dual sun visors and arm rests for all passengers .
subsist drivetrains were selected for installation in the new Capri . British - built engine operate into vehicles assembled at Halewood , while those assembled at the German facilities used power - plants from the Taunus and several light - duty commercial-grade vehicle .
Taking another Thomas Nelson Page from the Mustang sales agreement scheme , several levels of engine size and HP were offered right from the start . The standard engine for customers of the British Capri was the " 1300 , " an overhead - Cam River inline four - piston chamber displacing 1,298 cubic centimeters . rat at 52 horsepower , this locomotive was capable of going from a endure start to 100 kilometers per hr ( about 62 mph ) in about 20 seconds with a top speed report at 137 kph ( around 86 mph ) . Known as the " Kent " railway locomotive , it had originally been developed for manipulation in several English Ford products . A larger " 1600 , " which measured out at 1,599 cubic cm , was available ; it was good for 64 horsepower and 0 - 100 kph times in the 16 - second range .
For the shopper buy a German - built Capri , the engine option was a little more varied , starting with a different 1300 , one displacing 1,302 three-dimensional cm and rated at 50 HP . With it , 0 - 100 hire 24 secondment and a top speed of 133 kph was reported . However , a 1,488 - cubic - centimetre V-4 could be ordered . With 60 H.P. , it brought the 0 - 100 sprint down to 18 seconds . Released in April 1969 was the sporty " 1700 - GT , " a beefed - up 75 - horsepower V-4 plan that was able of 0 - 100 kph times of 15 seconds and top f number in the 148 kph range ( about 90 mph ) .
Another analogue drawn between the Mustang and the Capri was the fact that people could n’t wait to push either into competitive events . For those looking for performance on a budget , two German - built V-6 engines were introduced before the 1969 summer time of year . The " 2000 - GT , " with 1,998 three-dimensional centimeters , was shop at 85 horsepower and could pass on 100 kilometers per hour in as footling as 12 seconds , topping out at 157 kph . To go faster still , there was the 108 - horsepower " 2300 - GT , " which was pushed out to 2,298 three-dimensional cm and could take a Capri to 100 in as little as 10 seconds .
Capri Ride
The front suspension on the 1970 Ford Capri used a MacPherson - strut designing with independent leaping - character ball joints and double - acting hydraulic shocks . Supporting the car were two helical curlicue outpouring that some incur a chip soft and a small mushy in laborious turns . In the hindquarters , a triple thin - band leaf outflow was used in conjunction with hydraulic shocks mounted in a staggered pattern to absorb quick speedup . Wheelbase came to 100.8 inches and bumper - to - bumper length measured 167.8 in .
While the physical structure look good , customers were glad with the fit and feel , and the consumer public press had plenty of good thing to say about the new Ford Capri , not everyone was happy with the gondola ’s handling capabilities . locomote in a true lineage was fine for many , but Europeans have lots of roads that go into mountains or wind through the countryside , and the need for an anti - sway taproom was punctually pointed out in several fancier publication .
Despite this minuscule complaint , the first year of Capri sales in Europe was astounding : more than 156,000 units , the most of any European Ford theoretical account ever produced . Most of that first yr ’s product derive off the German assembly lines as trade union movement and supply problem seemed to plague the British product .
Even before the first model year was fill out , studies were launch into the feasibleness of institute the Capri to America . Since the stopping point of World War II , there had been several European Fords imported into North America . They had some success in Canada , but U.S. shoppers generally preferred their domestic products . By the early Sixties , with Ford U.S. acquire its own compact Falcon , the European importee seemed to go away almost wholly . Later in the decade the Cortina drew a few sales , but it was with tantalize breathing time that the idea of another imported Ford was greeted in America .
However , clip were changing . Nipponese compact were beginning to catch on in America and motorist ' mental attitude were starting to shift . While the Capri was market as a Ford in Europe , it was decided that the Lincoln - Mercury Division would be a well outlet for the " Sexy European , " as it came to be advertise Stateside . The Ford Division had just released another compact in the Maverick , and the Capri surely would have been in direct contender with it . Furthermore , the first U.S. Ford subcompact car – the Pinto – was about to hit the streets .
Capri in the U.S.
On April 17 , 1970 , six geezerhood to the day since the Ford Mustang ’s introduction , the 1971 Mercury Capri was set on cut-rate sale in franchise across the land . The reaction to Capri in the U.S. was immediate : Americans liked it .
Capri ’s forcible appearance was transferred to the U.S. with minimal changes . Most notable was the front - end purpose , which received the federally approved standard quadrangle sealed - beam headlights and a modified grille with independent pods for the compounding parking / turn - signaling lamps . Block letter that spell out " CAPRI " on the hood supercede similar " FORD " designation catch on Euro good example . As in Europe , Capri ’s received computer software included the usage of style steel wheels , 165 × 13 radial blackwall tires , and power front disc brakes with drums on the tush . Among the few performance option in that first season were bigger 185 × 13 steel - belt stellate - ply tyre .
For a sexy European , the Capri had to keep up an image of color . Six exterior choice were offer in that first year , include Red , Blue Mink Metallic , Ermine White , Fern Green , Aquatic Jade , and Amber Gold . Interior excerpt were full - vinyl radical with bucket backside in front and a full work bench derriere for the rear .
For a very reasonable $ 75 , a Capri purchaser could opt for the plusher Decor Group , which feature bucket - styled rearward seat with a fold - down arm rest , amply recline front buckets , a woodtone console with a clock , a mapping Light Within on a elastic extension mounted to the inside A - column , leather - covered guidance wheel and gearshift knob , brake warning ignitor , and shining pedal clipping . Also included in the Decor option was a special " black - out " grille and dual horns .
However , the Americanized Capri had a few drawbacks . While European vendee enjoyed a practical snack bar of powertrain packages , initial U.S. customers had just one engine available , the 1.6 - liter British inline four , support up with a four - speeding manual transmission and a 3.89:1 rear - axle proportion . Federalized versions were rated for 71 horsepower at 5,000 rpm . The car was quick enough for day - to - day drive , but miss a little of the hoped - for mutation - railcar feel and reception .
With dealer prep and destination charges typically adding another $ 75 to the al-Qaeda port - of - entry price of $ 2,295 , the Capri was price slightly above the Ford Maverick , but considerably below the Mazda RX-2 coupe , which was one of its main rival . Other pop Capri options included an AM radiocommunication ( $ 75 ) , vinyl roof ( $ 65 ) , manually operated sun cap ( $ 119 ) , and air conditioning ( $ 395 ) .
In its June 1970 result , Road & Trackoffered this sum of the Capri : " It ’s honest looking , it ’s a practical self-propelling package , and it ’s being offered at a militant cost . It ’s a Ford that makes sense . " But the want of execution options was note . Car and Driverreally drove the problems home in its May 1970 outcome . " get the tough part be recorded forthwith : The railroad car is come to the United States with the wrong locomotive engine , " saidC / D , which compared its performance to that of the Volkswagen Beetle .
Capri Performance
While 1971 Mercury Capri customers were pleased with the machine ’s sporty appearance , the deficiency of engine and transmission choices turned off other shopper . But even with the restriction in powertrain pick and the midyear introduction date , he 1971 Capri still set book for calendar - class sale of a first - year significance : 17,258 units , and dealer were taking support orders for twice that number for the forthcoming year . Sales in the first month alone came to 2,021 cars , which efficaciously cleaned out all existing dealer neckcloth .
In another parallel of latitude to the first Mustang , despite their spring going , these other unit were title as next - year model in the U.S. Then , when the " true " model yr began subsequently in the year , there were a number of small changes that added up to some major improvements .
To address the petition for more powerful carrying out , another locomotive selection was made available beginning in the drop of 1970 . American buyers could choose for the large " 2000 " inline four , displacing 1,993 three-dimensional centimeter and rated for an even 100 horsepower at 5,600 rev . This peppier little four could pull itself mightily along with 120 pound - feet of torque at 3,600 rev .
A derivative of the British " Kent " locomotive engine family line , it feature a single overhead camshaft with a individual downdraft Weber carburettor and solid weightlifter . Furthermore , it could be team with a three - upper reflex infection , a $ 185 alternative . Meanwhile , a condensation hike hiked yield of the base locomotive engine to 75 horsepower .
In the wake of these improvements , Road Testnamed Capri its " 1971 Import Car of the Year , " and other fancier publications of the day did an about - human face in light of the available supererogatory H.P. . Even with improved 0 - 60 - miles per hour fourth dimension , the Capri was in reality adequate to of farm better fuel mileage ratings , partially due to the 3.44:1 rearward axle that derive with the 2.0 - cubic decimeter engine . AsRoad Teststated when the laurels was made , " We find that when quality , coming into court , lavishness of trim , utility , treatment and carrying into action are all evaluated as a packet at a given cost , the Capri clearly shows as a achiever . "
EvenCar and Driverchanged its tune about the Capri , pronounce , " It sure enough is no Oliver Stone , as astonished owners of Fiat 124 coupes , Porsche 914s , BMW 2002s and fuel - injected Alfas will begrudgingly evidence . The Capri will not only out - dash these traditional heavies on the enthusiast scene , in the hands of a up to driver it will leave them embarrassed in the corners . " Other benefitsC / Dpointed out were rider consolation and usable storage blank space . All of this came for a price of about $ 2,600 delivered , far below several of the other cars mention , such as the BMW 2002 , which opened up in the $ 3,300 kitchen range , and the Porsche 914/4 , pegged at $ 3,595 .
Needless to say , there were no notable exterior or interior differences between early- and late - yield 1971s , with the exclusion of color survival . Two new choice were fielded : ash gray metallic and one of the most popular colors for this fashion model , Capri Yellow . Life was good for the Capri crime syndicate as more than 53,000 were delivered in 1971 .
Not everything was perfect within the Capri camp , though . Customers complained about squealing Pteridium aquilinum pads , a problem that would plague Capris until 1976 , when a new semiabrasive domiciliation cloth was employ . room access - flexible joint squeaks and some electrical problem were also common in production models . Ford worked diligently to take upkeep of these complaint , and overall , the Capri was really constructed to high lineament standards than many contemporaries .
Capri Models
While Americans were falling in love with the 1971 Mercury Capri , in England , Capri fans were being tempted with a vehicle that would never get in touch with the " colonies . " Among the Ford Capri models usable was the 3000 - GT , boast a 2,994 - cubic - centimeter Kent V-6 , which many consider the superlative of the gondola ’s first spin on life history .
To the usual standard equipment , GTs added a close - proportion four - velocity gear box , two - pep pill windscreen contact arm , and full instrumentation include a tach . Those equipped with the raw V-6 encounter a power - bulge bonnet .
If the Capri looked like it could travel at breakneck pep pill , the 3000 - GT made it live up to those expectations . It went from 0 - to-60 mph in just a shade more than nine moment and hit a top speed of 113 mph . Its beefed - up suspension made it wield like a true sports car . To make Yanks really envious , a 3000 - E edition was release in the fall of 1971 ; it upped the top speed to 122 mph and write out 0 - to-60 times to well below the nine - second mark .
Still , there were some exciting things in store for U.S.-bound Capris . " Passion " and " Wow " delineate the chemical reaction the loss of the Capri 2600 in 1972 . Introduced in February , it was the cat ’s meow for this baby brother to the Mercury Cougar . Its try out powerplant , derived from the German 23 - litre V-6 , was a 60 - arcdegree design that displaced 2,568 three-dimensional cm , or about 155.5 three-dimensional in , and was capable of belt out out 107 horsepower at 5,000 rpm .
This unexampled software package amount stock with larger 185/70HR × 13 tires , a fuddled reprieve , full instrumentation with a 140 - mph speedometer , dual exhausts , and exterior dressings such as the obligatory badging , and blacked - out arse - end and lower rock ‘n’ roll musician panel . As the size of it of the locomotive engine increase , so did the base of operations price , to $ 2,821 . With the addition of extras such as the Select - Shift reflexive , AM / FM radio , and melodic line conditioning , price tags for new Capri coupes were often top $ 3,500 delivered .
For those who were satisfied with " zippy " versus " neck opening - snap " carrying out , the Capri 2000 returned basically unaltered from the previous model yr , with the exclusion that a Mary Leontyne Price increase levy base cost to $ 2,598 . The Capri 1600 amount in at $ 121 less than the 2000 . Still optional were the instrumentation software program ( though the 140 - miles per hour speedo was reserved exclusively for 2600s ) , sunroof , full vinyl top , and the Decor Group .
As the 1973 model year dawn , one fashion model would be leaving the Capri lineup : the underpowered 1600 . Remaining models now boast a newly styled blackout grille . The fake side venthole in the rearward twenty-five percent control panel were cut and taillights were alter to include the backup Light Within . A raw federally mandated impact - resistant front bumper system was employed to meet federal requirements . Several vibrant colouring material were also total to the Capri card , giving the car an even stronger European appearance .
internal changes let in a newfangled two - spoke guidance wheel and a unexampled dashboard layout with false walnut trim . ( Several gauge on the Capri 2000 were put back by warning lights , however . ) For the first time , a dash - mounted storage / glove compartment was included in all models .
hard-and-fast emission control run to the H.P. rating of the 2.0 - liter engine being scaled back a bit to 85 horsepower – a loss of one from the yr before . ( The V-6 was unchanged in that respect . )
Power brake – still front disc / rearward drum – were now standard on all Capris , and a much - request rearward stabiliser bar was added for secure handling . advertise as a " silky smooth " four - speed gearbox , the base transmission was meliorate by being full synchronized .
groundwork prices ask a steep increment for the yr with the 2000 buy the farm up nearly 13 percent , or $ 385 , to $ 2,983 , while the infrastructure V-6 Capri 2600 frivol away up to $ 3,261 . Still , about the toughest problem dealers faced was keep cars in stock . Capri gross sales literature proudly noted that the Capri was " outsell every other European motorcar in America , except one ! " That one exception continued to the be the Volkswagen Beetle , but that was an entirely dissimilar market . For calendar - year 1973 , the Capri was at the top of its game , post more than 113,000 sale in the United States , a mark it would not accomplish again .
1974-1975 Capri
In the declension of 1973 , as the 1974 - model cars were hitting the food market , the first Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) oil colour embargo went into essence . It left an immediate shock on new - elevator car sales , let in the 1974 - 1975 Mercury Capri . All of a sudden it was n’t horsepower hoi polloi wanted , but mile per gallon . The Capri was ready with strong number from its tried and rightful 2000 inline four , although overall sale would accrue drastically . ( Even stricter expelling control cost this engine another five horsepower , taking it to an even 80 . )
The most impressive change for the 1974 Capri was enlargement of the V-6 to 2,792 cubic centimeter . Advertising said it made for a " much more powerful Capri , " though output was denounce at 105 H.P. , two less than the previous 2.6 - litre version ( again in pastime of fresh running game ) . The adman obviously had torsion in idea when they speak of power : The 140 British pound sterling - feet at 3,200 rpm generated by the Modern railway locomotive represented a healthy boost over the 2600 ’s 130 pound - feet at 3,400 rpm .
Another modification to North American model was the introduction of " Hi - Flex " color - keyed molded urethane front and rear bumper covers . This was the Capri ’s solution for meeting new U.S. government standard that required cars to withstand impacts with little or no damage in collision under 5 mph . Most automakers produced less - than - artistic gibbousness from the front and rears of their products , but on the Capri , the result came off a little better . The raw snubbers add a full seven inches of distance to the car compare to its original dimensions .
With the OPEC embargo shed over to other 1974 , the bottom fall out of the fresh - automobile market in America . The manufacture see automobile sales drop 19.6 percent , the biggest one - yr declination since the 1957 - 58 recession . Capri calendar - yr sales fell even more than the industry norm – about 33.4 percent – to just 75,260 unit of measurement .
Effectively , Lincoln - Mercury did not volunteer a 1975 Capri . In the very modified sale literature that year , 1974 photos and detail were reuse , stressing that the Sexy European still had great panache and execution . By February 1975 , there were few , if any , carryover Capri coupes to be found , and that pleased dealer who want a clean showroom floor for March , when they would be receive the all - new 1976 Capri II .
Europeans had been driving the second - generation Capri , marketed there as the Mark II , since 1974 . keep open most of the original package concepts in creative thinker , advertizing said the young version was route - proven from Morocco to Finland , and that the " Europeans knew what they wanted . "
Design for this new coupe was touted as being an inspiration from Italy ’s Ghia figure studios , which just bechance to be a recent learning of the Ford Motor Company . Capri was no longer just a two - threshold coupe either , for it sported the hottest new selling feature of the mid Seventies – a hatchback door .
Overall styling was softer without the distinctive side accent lines and impersonation aviation inlets on the rearward quarters . Up front , U.S. versions keep up a link to the previous generation by incorporating Hi - Flex bumper . With the fuel tank car repositioned to behind the rear axle under the floorpan , some safety vexation raised by consumer groups and prophylactic advocates were slaked .
Capri II
One item that was totally new for the 1976 Mercury Capri II packet was a new 2,300 - cubic - centimeter overhead - cam inline four produce at Ford ’s Lima , Ohio , engine plant . It weighed nearly 500 pounds more than the British 2.0 - l it was replacing , but was rated for 88 H.P. at 5,000 rev and formulate 116 Lebanese pound - pes of torque at 2,600 revolutions per minute .
uncommitted for an additional $ 272 was the German - built " 2800 " V-6 , now capable of 110 H.P. with the four - speed transmission , 111 with the automatic ( 109 in California ) – all at 4,800 revolutions per minute . Torque peak at 146 pounding - understructure at 3,000 rpm .
The standard package included some conversant features from the past plus improved front and rear stabilizer bars , 165SR × 13 steel - belt radial tires , fully recline front bucket seats , the return of full instrumentation , and a fold - down rear seat to adapt orotund loads that could be placed in the railcar through the rise - up hatch . Also newfangled , though less positivist , was a start price that shot up to $ 4,117 . Another $ 217 fetched the Decor Group option that include , among other things , embossed vinyl seats , contour rearward seats , caricature wood trim for the instrument dialog box , opening rearward - after part windows , lighted lock glove - box , help shoulder strap , and a center console .
Doting on Ford ’s new relationship to the Ghia invention business firm , Capri II offered a ritzy Ghia adaptation that admit gamey - back bucket seats cover in Comfort - Weave cockle textile or plush vinyl radical with map pockets behind the front bum , contoured rearward seats , deluxe center console table with clock , woodtone legal document - panel trim , leather - wind steering wheel and gearshift knob , plus take hold of and attend handles . On the exterior , color - describe bodyside moldings and racing mirrors were use , accented by some very fashionable tramp aluminium wheel . The Ghia betray for a $ 623 insurance premium over the groundwork mannikin .
The ultimate Capri II was the " S " package . Finished in lustrous black with gold accent , it was a sign of the zodiac of the meter . Anodized gold was applied to the standard inglorious blade styled wheel or form - aluminum rim , the latter of which were a $ 113 option . " S " interiors included black vinyl group bolsters with golden cushy - weave textile , dim carpet , and blackout prune for the instrument panel . two-fold racing mirrors , a heftier suspension , and upgraded sound insulation were also included .
( While there was no quotation of it in the American sales literature , the color combination reflected the outline used by Ford - powered John Player Special Lotus racer that were tear up the Formula 1 circuit at the metre . In England , this package was officially known as the JPS version . ) Later in the model yr , a snowy variation of the svelte " S " hatchback door would become uncommitted .
For all other Capri IIs , there was a selection of nine colours , with five internal colouring material combining . Also put up in black , dingy brown , or white - depending upon the exterior colour - were vinyl radical peak , a $ 95 choice .
Some of the more popular supernumerary uncommitted on the Capri II included the $ 276 Select - break automatic transmittal , air conditioning for an additional $ 429 , the manually operated sunroof at $ 181 , rearward - windowpane defogger for $ 69 , as well as a rear window wiper be another $ 48 . Most important was the addition of the AM radio at $ 71 , or the much more desired AM / FM unit of measurement at $ 136 . With the new hatchback design , a vinyl group tonneau - dash luggage compartment covering fire was a new extra - toll point at $ 29 .
Capri II Performance
As with the earlier Mercury Capri model , the American press could n’t wait to put the 1976 Mercury Capri II to the test . Road & Tracktried two V-6 Capri IIs , one a in full equipped Ghia , and the other a received modelling .
" It goes , it bar and hold , it ’s well progress and it has that uncompromising , accurate European character reference that make it something special for Americans and Canadians,“R&Tproclaimed in its summation of the V-6 Capri deuce . " On top of all this , it ’s a more hardheaded car because of its young hatchback physical structure . A tone European gondola at a naturalistic price – what more could one require ? "
The pressure might have been in love with the new Capri , but the public ’s ardor for the " sexy European " seemed to have cool down . During 1975 , a total of 54,586 Capri IIs were reported to have been sell and just 29,904 in all of 1976 .
Premature wrinkling of the plastic insert moldings in the urethane bumpers take off to pop up in 1974 . This required warrant work to put back the comic strip once a suitable substitute material was discover , a remediation not find until spring 1976 . Clutch thrill was noted on a bit of the V-6 models ; this was later attributed to the routing of the cable too near to the fumes manifolds . However , all manufacturers in the mid - Seventies were experiencing these and many other pocket-sized problems as they learn to deal with new materials and political science requirements .
If 1977 was to be the last full model year for the Capri in the United States , one could n’t tell apart from the number of improvement and model name additions . The V-6 received a compression rise to 8.7:1 and the Dura - Spark kindling organisation . This boosted HP and torque very somewhat , but still lessen reported fuel uptake by up to three miles to the gallon . Meanwhile , the base four - cylinder locomotive engine picked up 3.5 horsepower through tune improvement , go to 91.5 H.P. at 5,000 revolutions per minute , and was teamed with a numerically lower 3.22:1 rear axle to keep up fuel economy .
cite to in factory advertizement as the " Capri for 1977 , " there were a few new item to be touted . essentially , the outside was unaltered from the 1976 season . One marketing modification was the renaming of the sporty " S " package , now further as " Le Cat Black ‘S ' , " for after all , it was being trade alongside Mercurys and was still a cousin to the Cougar under the " Sign of the Cat . " This sporty appearance grouping , which included all the feature from the class before , be $ 241 . ( Also , a principal - put in Rally Cat decor parcel added duplicate racing bar on the toughie and decklid , a rear despoiler , and sheer rocker - control board streak . )
price were on the way up with the standard 1977 Capri hatchback climbing to $ 4,361 , or about a 6 pct growth over the previous class . For those pace up to the sumptuosity of the Ghia variation , the chit come to $ 4,984 , a boost of $ 244 .
As though the wind had gone from the sail , 1977 calendar - year sales fall to 22,458 whole . By the early summer , importation of the Capri was put on handgrip until existing neckcloth could be sell off . The final 4,079 examples were deal – and titled – as 1978s and then the record were closed on the motorcar in America .
Capri III
Even before the unveiling of the Mercury Capri II , the Ford Capri was still very much alive in Europe . Tough economical times cut into sale by up to 50 per centum , but European buyers did enjoy the Ford Capri II . It merely had more space , bring forth a better drive , and was improved all around . single to Europe were the V-6 3000 - GT and 3000 - Ghia . The Ghia enjoy a vinyl roof , tinted glass , sunshine-roof , and singular eight - spoke alloy road wheels .
As in America , lush fabric and supernumerary padding were added to interior . In term of carrying out , the more environmentally friendly 3000 locomotive engine with dual exhaust did not twin the numbers turned in by its harbinger 3000 - GXL , which was retired in 1975 . However , these example did sport improved brakes that , when outfitted with new heavy - tariff tire compounding , made the Capri Mark II 3000 - GT the best - controlled object lesson to date .
The third - genesis Capri Mark III emerged from Germany in 1978 . It was even more sleek , quite a snatch quicker , and much safer . On December 19 , 1986 , a nerveless Saturday afternoon , the last Capri rolled off the Cologne assembly line . Over a period of 17 days , more than 1.9 million had been build . It had been a good ride , post sale records that stay to this day . On the track , it had many victories and won the hearts of a legion of consecrated collectors .
Though the Anglo - German sportswoman coupe was gone from America , its name populate on . From 1979 to 1986 , Mercury borrowed the Mustang platform for its version of the all - American ponycar and cry it Capri . In 1991 , the name reappeared as a Mazda Miata - exhort two - place transformable from Ford of Australia . Its U.S. test lasted just a few years , but it too set record for importee gross revenue of an Australian - built car . Perhaps there ’ll be another Capri some daylight , but it just wo n’t have the flair of the " Sexy European . "
