Ford Capri

Consul Capri (335) 1961-64

The first use of the name Capri by Ford of Great Britain was as a 2 door coupé version of the Ford Classic saloon. The Ford Consul Capri was introduced in 1961 with 1340 cc engine and from 8/62 with 1500cc engine and discontinued in July 1964. Along with the Ford Classic it had many then unusual features, such as twin headlights, variable speed wipers, disc brakes, dimming dashboard lights, and a cigar lighter. It was proclaimed as "The First Personal car from Ford of Great Britain"[citation needed] and its style was inspired by late 1950s United States car designs with rear fins. It had sweeping lines, a large boot space and a pillarless coupé roof. Initially available with an 1340cc engine (model 109E), this was increased in 1962 to 1500cc (model 116E). The first 200 Capri were hand-made left-hand-drive cars for continental Europe. In Germany at the 1961 Frankfurt Auto Show, Ford sold 88 Capri. From 1961 to 1964 only 500 Capri were sold. The oldest of these handmade Capris from 1961 are in Germany. The Consul Capri 335 is one of the rarest cars from Ford.

In 1963 a GT version (also 116E; the same engine as in the Cortina GT) was introduced but the car was very expensive to produce and running alongside the very popular Ford Cortina, sales were disappointing and the Consul Capri was removed from sale after just two and a half years.

Capri Mark 1 (1969-74)

The first "Ford Capri" to bear that precise name was introduced 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; to produce a European pony car. It was mechanically based on the Cortina and built in Europe at the Dagenham and Halewood plants in the United Kingdom, the Genk plant in Belgium, and the Saarlouis and Cologne plants in Germany. The car was named Colt during development stage, but Ford were unable to use the name, as it was trademarked by Mitsubishi.

Although a fastback coupé, Ford wanted the Capri Mark 1 to be affordable for a broad spectrum of potential buyers. To help achieve that, it was available with a variety of engines. The British and German factories produced different line-ups. The continental model used the Ford Taunus V4 engine in 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 L displacement, while the British versions were powered by the Ford Kent straight-4 in 1.3 and 1.6 L form. The Cologne V6 2.0 L served as initial range-topper. Until the end of the year, new sports versions were added: the 2300 GT in Germany, using a double-barrel carburettor and 125 PS (92 kW), and the 3000 GT in the UK, with the Essex V6, capable of 138 hp (103 kW).

In April 1970, Ford began selling the Capri outside Europe, in the North-American, South African and Australian markets. These versions were powered solely by the underpowered Kent 1.6 engine, but a Pinto straight-4 2.0 L replaced it in 1971. The North American version featured new headlights and bumpers, and carried no brand badge.

A new 2637 cc version of the Cologne V6 appeared in September 1971, powering the Capri RS2600. This model used Kugelfischer fuel injection to raise power to 150 PS (110 kW), and was the basis for the Group 2 RS2600 used in the European Touring Car Championship. The RS2600 also received modified suspensions, a close ratio gearbox, lightened bodywork panels, ventilated disc brakes and aluminium wheels. The 2.6 L engine was detuned in September for the deluxe version 2600 GT, with 2550 cc and a double-barrel Solex carburettor.

Mark 1 facelift

The Capri proved highly successful, with 400,000 cars sold until 1970, and Ford revised it in 1972, to become what is known by enthusiasts as the Capri "Bis" or, in the UK, the "Mark 1 facelift" Capri.[citation needed] The car received a new and more comfortable suspension, rectangular headlights and new seats. The V4 and Kent engines were replaced by the Ford Pinto engine, and the previously UK-only 3000 GT joined the German lineup. The following year, 1973, saw the highest sales total the Capri ever attained, at 233,000 vehicles, and the 1,000,000th Capri sold in August.

In December, Ford replaced the RS2600 with the RS3100, with the Essex V6's displacement increased to 3098 cc. Unlike its predecessor, it used a double-barrel Weber carburettor, and reached the same 150 PS (110 kW). However, the car was still competitive in touring car racing, and Ford Motorsport produced a 100-model limited edition with this new engine. The Group 4 RS3100’s engine was tuned by Cosworth into the GAA, with 3412 cc, fuel injection, DOHC, four valves per cylinder and 435 hp in racing trim. The car also featured improved aerodynamics. Besides the racing RS3100, the GAA was also used in Formula 5000.

Capri Mark 2 (1974-77)

In February 1974, the Capri Mark 2 was introduced. After 1.2 million cars sold, and with the 1973 oil crisis, Ford chose to make the new car more suited to everyday driving, with a shorter bonnet, larger cabin and the adoption of a hatchback rear door.

Although it was mechanically similar to the Mark 1, the Capri 2 had a revised larger body and a more modern dashboard. The 2.0 L version of the Pinto was introduced in the European model, and was placed below the 2.8L V6, although it was more powerful. The Capri still maintained the large square headlights, which became the easiest way to distinguish between a Mark 2 and a Mark 3. Larger disc brakes and a standard alternator finished the list of modifications.

In order to keep the sporty appeal of the car, Ford introduced the John Player Special limited edition in March 1975, but 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, production was limited to the Saarlouis factory only, and the following year the Capri left the American market, after 513,500 models sold.