Ford Capri
The Ford Capri is a true cult classic, especially with the United Kingdom. This is reflected by the huge volume of parts and accessory dealerships still active, and the sheer volume of active owners clubs. Much of this status is due to the Capri's styling, appearing more American aggression that European chic, the car had a real bravado image. This was aided by the media's coverage of the Capri, which is as much a cult legend as the car itself. From appearences in Only Fools And Horses (being Del Boy's sporty, weekend number in a hideous lime green), a staring role in The Professionals (with Bodie and Doyle driving 3.0L versions at break-neck speeds, mostly side-ways), a regular spot on Minder (a Capri was often the car of choice for Terry McCann) to John Wayne jumping Tower Bridge in on the film Brannigan. Not forgetting Ford's immortal ad-line when marketing the Capri; "The car you always promised yourself2.
In development the Capri was known as the Colt, however Ford were forced to change this due to trademark held by Mitsibushi. In searching for a new name Ford settled on Capri which they lent from an earlier, unsuccessful model of their's, the Ford Consul Capri 335. The first Capri proper, the Ford Capri Mk1, was released in 1969 and was intended to emulate the success Ford had enjoyed in North America with their Ford Mustang, hence the somewhat 'muscle car' image of the Capri's design. Based mechanically on the Cortina and produced in the UK at the famous Dagenham plant, the Capri was intended to be an afforbable car with the inital range including 1.3L and 16L engine derivatives. Ford did also include some m or exotic versions though, with the Ford Capri 3000GT powered by a 138hp Essex V8, and the range topping 2.0L Cologne V6. Adding to the list of sporting Capris on offer, 1971 saw the release of the Capri RS2600. With many uprated and race inspired parts, the RS2600 was a fantastic track tool and ispired Ford to use it as the basis for their Group 2 RS2600, used in the European Touring Car Championship. This 2.6L engine was later detuned by Ford and used in their luxury Capri, the 2600 GT.
With the Mk1 Capri having already sold over 400,000 units, 1972 saw the release of the Mk1 facelift, known by some enthusiasts as the Capri 'Bis'. Main changes were a more comfortable ride, new rectangular headlights and the Kent engines being replaced by Ford Pinto lumps. Then in 1973, not only did Ford sell the 1,000,000th Capri, they also replaced the already impressive RS2600 with the RS3100. This was essentially nothing more than a larger capacity RS2600 however Ford Motorsport only produced 100 of this new range. Tuning for the touring car version of the RS3100, the Group 4 RS3100, was left to Cosworth who managed to get 435hp from it.
After selling more than 1.2 million Capri's 1974 saw the release of the Mk2 Capri. Although mechanically very similar to to the Mk1 the 1973 oil crisis did force Ford to make some changes. Thye car was a more everyday afair now, with a shorter bonnet and Ford's adoption of the now ever-popular 'hatchback' boot design. The range contained a new 2.0L version. Despite the lean toward the more practical with this Capri, Ford still wished to keep the sporting element alive and so released the Ford Capri John Player Special. Decreasing sales in 1976 lead Ford to discontinue the 3.0L GT models and see them replaced by a 3.0L S, and Ghia models.
1978 saw the launch of the Mk3 Capri. Originally known within Ford as 'Project Carla', the Mk3 was a more significant change from the Mk2 than the Mk2 was from the Mk1, although the Mk3 was still little more than an upgraded Mk2 Capri. The Mk3 Ford Capri saw the introduction of the trademark quad headlamps which Ford had borrowed from the RS2000. There were no changes made to the line up of engines on offer.
Due to declining sales elsewhere in the world Ford concentrated their marketing in the UK, where the Capri had earned cult status. This resulted in Ford releasing the 'X Pack' options, and race orientated Rallye Sport range of parts & accessories for the Capri. At the 1981 Geneva Motor Show the Ford Capri 2.8L Injection was unveiled, to replace both the 2.0L and 3.0L V6 engines. A further sporting edition of the Capri was released in the UK with the Tickford Capri. Based on the 2.8 Injection, the Tickford produced 205hp and had an extremely luxurious interior designed by Simon Saunders (who later went onto design the Ariel Atom) which included details such as Wilton Carpet on the floors and roof lining. Despite the Tickford Capri struggling to sell at the time due to it's huge cost (almost double the price of a standard Capri Injection), it is now arguably the most collectable Ford Capri you can buy.
Toward the end of it's run the Capri struggled and was only sold in Britain. The range was shrunk, with the 1.6L and 2.0L variants replaced by the 'Laser'. As a last ditch attempt to increase sales a limited edition Brooklands 280 Capri was released, featuring a Recaro interior.
When the last Ford Capri rolled off the production line in December 1986 nearly 2 million had been produced, with over half of these sales coming from the Mk1 Capri.
Ford Capri Reviews
| russell - Driver | Thursday 14 May 2009 12:55 | ||||||||
| one of the most fun cars 2 driver ever? |
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