Mercury Capri
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The name Mercury Capri has been used for several different cars over the years. All were sold by the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury division in North America. The origin of the name dates back to the Lincoln Capri of the 1950s. The definition of the name matches only a European island - however, the name Capri may actually be a shortening of the word "capricious" which ties in with Lincoln's Zephyr model.
1969-1977
The European Ford Capri was developed as a "Mustang" for that market, a 2-door car with a short trunklid and a long hood. Built in Cologne, Germany, they were also sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in North America during this period, beginning part way through the 1970 model year. It carried no marque identification, and was named simply the Capri, but it was often (and inaccurately) called the Mercury Capri, as Ford already had a Mustang for the same buyer market. The only type initially available used the British 1600 cc Kent crossflow, with a price starting at less than US$2300. 1971 & 1972 models used a 2.0 L OHC I4 engine and also a 2.6 L V6 late in the 1972 model year, which was replaced a 2.8 L V6 for 1974. The car was restyled as a hatchback in 1975, but sold in North America as an early 1976 model. They were no longer shipped from Europe after the end of the 1977 model year, but continued to be built until 1986. At its peak, Capri sales in North America were the highest for any import model except for the Volkswagen Beetle. They are now becoming sought after for restoration because of their styling, performance & relative affordability.1979-1986
During this period, a version of the Ford Mustang was sold through Lincoln/Mercury dealers as the Mercury Capri, giving Mercury a pony car for the first time since the Mercury Cougar was upsized in 1974 to complement the Ford Thunderbird. The Capri was built on the Ford Fox platform, which was used for the Mustang from 1979 to 2004 with a design change in 1994.
The Fox-based Mercury Capri was fairly unchanged throughout its entire run. It maintained its squared-off front fascia and grille, and distinctive flared fenders. The only major iteration happened in 1983 with the addition of a racing-inspired hatchback with a compound rear window (also known as the "bubble back"), a new rear bumper and taillights. In 1984, the high performance Capri RS received a front air dam which continued until 1986.
The drivetrain and interior options closely matched that of the Mustang year for year. There are differences but they are generally minor.
Here are some special editions for the Capri:
1981-1983 Black Magic - Black cars with gold striping, gold TRX wheels and a gold cat's head on the front fender. The interior received special black seats with gold inserts. The 1983 model is extremely rare and the only Black Magic to receive the compound rear window.
1981-1982 White Lightning - This was actually the "Black Magic" version but it was allowed to be ordered in white. Dealers coined the "White Lightning" phrase from a magazine ad that Mercury ran. Mercury never used the term directly.
1983 Crimson Cat - Red with gold striping and cougar TRX wheels set this car apart. Much like the Black Magic, the Crimson Cat received custom black seats with red inserts.
1984 Charcoal Turbo RS - A Capri RS Turbo that was only available in Charcoal exterior paint with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
1984-1986 ASCMcLaren Coupes and Convertibles - ASC (American Sunroof Corporation) converted Capris into convertibles or "coupes". The Coupes were really just hatchbacks treated to some suspension and engine modifications, ground effects, stripes and other options. The convertibles were a far more involved project. It entailed removing the roof, welding in supports and redoing the interior to a 2-seater configuration.
1985 Mercury Motorsport Capri - Grand Prix IV Pace Car - 30 were built in 1985 as pace cars for the Detroit Grand Prix. These were also modified by ASCMcLaren for Mercury and are highly sought after for their racing heritage. About two-thirds are accounted for.
1991-1994
Ford Australia produced a Mazda Miata rival named the Ford Capri from 1989, which was ironically based around many Mazda 323 mechanicals. From the 1991 model year, this car was sold in North America as the Mercury Capri. The car was sold until the 1994 model year.
Despite rumors of mechanical issues with the Capri, the Australian version was a reliable vehicle. Many are still used as rental cars on the east coast of Australia for cruising around beach areas, with the only faults being reported relating to leaks in the roof.
It is often rumored that with its increased versatility of four seats and a very large boot, the Capri could have competed well with the Miata, however US safety regulations forced the redesign of the cabin to accommodate an airbag, something Australian cars did not have as standard for many years, this delay led to the Miata being introduced into the vital American market first.
See also
- Ford Mustang - corporate cousin of Capri from 1979-1986
External links
- [MercuryCapri.Com]
- [FourEyedPride.Com]
- [www.ascmclarencoupe.com]
- [1985 Motorsport Capri Registry]
- [Fox Capri Literature] - A resource for Capri information.
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