Mercury Capri

Capri Mercury Capri
1971 Capri
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Europe (1970–1977)Mercury (Ford) (1979–1986) Ford Australia (1991–1994)
Production	1970–1977 1979–1986 1991–1994
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car (1970–1977) Pony car (1979–1986) Roadster (1991–1994)

The Mercury Capri is an automobile which was marketed in North America by the Lincoln Mercury Division of Ford between 1970 and 1994. The Capri was sold in the US as three distinctly different cars over three decades. The Capri for the 1971–74 model years and Capri II for 1976–77 were Ford captive imports produced by Ford of Europe in Germany. They did not carry any marque badging and each was simply a Capri.^{[1] [2]} The Mercury Capri of 1979–86 was a rebadged Ford Mustang, produced in the USA, and the final version of 1991–94 was a convertible produced by Ford Australia.

History

The origin of the name after the Italian island of Capri, dates back to the Lincoln Capri of the 1950s. The European Ford Capri was developed as a "baby Mustang" for that market, a 2-door car with a short trunklid (later hatchback) and a long hood.

First Generation (1970–1977)

See also Ford Capri

First generation
1973 Capri 2600
Overview
Also called	Ford Capri
Production	1970–1977
Assembly	Cologne, Germany Saarlouis, Germany[3]
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe (1970–74) 2-door hatchback (1976–78)
Layout	FR layout
Related	Ford Cortina
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Kent I4 2.0 L OHC I4 2.3 L OHC I4 2.6 L OHV V6 2.8 L OHV V6

The Capri was built in Cologne, Germany, and was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in North America. The European Capri was first sold in the US in April 1970. It did not carry Lincoln or Mercury marque identification.^[1] The only type initially available used the British 1600-cc Kent crossflow, with a starting price less than US$2300. The 2.0-L OHC I4 was introduced for the 1971 model year. The '71 2.0-liter Capris are particularly desirable, since they have a 9.0:1 compression ratio (which was reduced to 8.2:1 in 1972). The 2.6-L "Cologne" V6 was introduced late in the 1972 model year.

1973 Capri 2000 revised dash, steering wheel

In 1973, the Capri was given a "facelift" for the model year with a revised grille, larger tail lights, and revised rear quarter "grills." North American-spec Capris received a federally mandated 5-mph front bumper. The chrome bumper was mounted in front of a steel pipe and attached to the frame by shock absorbers. The interior received revised seat trims, dashboard, and steering wheel. A new, different wiring harness was used.

North American-spec 1974 Capris adopted large, federally mandated 5-mph bumpers at both the front and rear of the car. The bumpers were covered in body-colored plastic. The 2.6-liter Cologne V6 was replaced by a 2.8-liter Cologne V6 with revised castings for both the engine block and cylinder heads.

Capri II

The Capri was restyled as a hatchback in 1974,and arrived in the US in 1975 but sold in North America as an early 1976 model named the Capri II, though worldwide it was usually referred to as the Capri Mk II. Like its predecessor it did not carry Lincoln or Mercury marque identification.^[2] Engine options were the 2.3-liter Lima 4-cylinder and the 2.8-liter Cologne V6. The use of the name "Capri II" followed the introduction of the Ford Mustang II in September 1973.

After the 1977 model year, the Capri II was no longer imported from Europe. Remaining 1977 Capris were sold as 1978 models. Over a half a million German-built Capris were sold in North America 1970 through 1978. Starting in 1979, the European Capri was replaced in the North American market by the "Fox" chassis Capri. Production of the European Capri continued for the European market until 1986.

At its peak, Capri sales in North America were the highest for any import model except the Volkswagen Beetle. These Capris, now fairly rare, are becoming sought after for restoration because of their styling, performance & relative affordability.

Reviews - First Generation

Lincoln-Mercury advertisement-1971

Road and Track magazine on the 1970 Capri 1600: "...But styling and image sells cars, right? And if that's true, then it's our opinion that Lincoln-Mercury has a real winner in the Capri."^[4]

R&T on the Capri 2000 in February, 1971: "The Capri has a lot to recommend it. It's a solidly built, sporty compact car and (especially with the 2-liter engine) fun to drive."^[5]

R&T on the Capri 2600 V6 in March, 1972: "...the Capri 2600 V6 is an outstanding car. We'll bet Lincoln-Mercury dealers won't be able to get enough of them to satisfy the demand."^[6]

R&T on the Capri 2800 V6: "...the V6 Capri remains a very attractive sporting car. It's solid as a Mercedes, still compact and light in the context of 1974 barrier busters, fast, reasonably economical of fuel, precise-handling, and quick-stopping: its engine and drivetrain are both sporty and refined. It's no wonder Lincoln-Mercury sold nearly 120,000 of them in 1973..."^[7]

R&T on the Capri II 2.8 V6: "Once again we can report that the Capri V6 is an attractive, competent, and enjoyable car at a reasonable price. It goes, stops, and handles, it's well built and it has that sturdy, precise European character that makes it something special for Americans and Canadians. On top of all this it's a more practical car because of its new hatchback body. A quality, European car at a realistic price-what more could one want."^[8]

Special edition

1976–77 JPS Capri II, Capri II S - Black or white car body with gold striping, "Black chrome" trim, gold and black styled steel wheels and gold badging. In Europe, the JPS Capri II celebrated the success of the John Player Special cigarettes Formula 1 team, and emulated its black and gold livery. In the US, anti-tobacco laws meant the cars were called Capri II S. The interior received special seats and door panels: black with gold cloth inserts.

Second Generation (1979–1986)

Second generation
Mercury Capri RS
Overview
Also called	Ford Mustang (79–93)
Production	1979–1986
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan, USA San Jose, California, USA Metuchen, New Jersey, USA
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford Fox platform
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L OHC I4 2.3 L OHC (Turbo) 2.8 L OHV V6 3.3 L OHV I6 3.8 L OHV V6 4.2 L OHV 2-bbl. V8 5.0 HO 4-bbl V8 5.0 HO EFI V8
Transmission	4-speed O/D manual 4-speed auto 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	100.5 in (2,553 mm)

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 1993 with a design change in 1994. Trim series included the base Capri, the Capri Ghia, the Capri GS, the Capri RS, and the Capri Turbo RS. Altered versions of this Capri (including 2-door convertibles) are ASC McLaren were produced as a effort by American Sunroof Company and McLaren Automotive. The second generation Capri was the only Capri model to be equipped with a V8 engine.

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 aero 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.

The "bubbleback" rear window style was also shared with the Capri's smaller two-door hatchback stablemate, called the Mercury LN7.

Special editions

1981–83 Black Magic - Black cars with gold striping, gold metric TRX wheels and a gold cat's head on each side of the front valance. 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.

1981–82 White Lightning aka White Magic - 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. In 1981 there were 575 "White Magic" models produced, but the rarer year was 1982 of which only 348 "White Magic" models were manufactured.

1983 Mercury Capri

1983 Crimson Cat - Red with gold striping and Cougar XR-7 TRX wheels set this car apart. Much like the Black Magic, the Crimson Cat received custom black seats with red inserts. Only 805 Crimson Cats were made.

1984 Charcoal Turbo RS - A Capri RS Turbo that was only available in Charcoal upper / Silver lower exterior paint with Light Grey striped rub mouldings, Garret 60 trim turbocharger, enhanced multiport EFI 4-cylinder engine, Michelin TRX package, 5.0 HO Sway bars, 3.45:1 limited slip rear axle, hood scoop, and orange and red lettering and striping. Sun and T Top roof were optional.

1984–86 ASC McLaren Coupes and Convertibles - ASC (American Sunroof Corporation, now known as American Specialty Cars) converted Capris into convertibles and enhanced standard hatchbacks which they renamed "Coupes". The Coupes were tuned and enhanced with a number of suspension and visual upgrades including striping, a built-in radar detector, ground effects, Hella fog lights, headlight and taillight covers and honey comb wheels imported from Campagnolo in Italy. 1984 Coupes (25 produced) were all painted midnight blue. 1985-1986 Coupes (150 produced in 1985) were either painted blue or white. In 1986 (115 made), the last year for the Coupes, customers had an even larger choice of colors, including Smoke Charcoal Grey & Raven Black, joining the Oxford White and Midnight Blue, as well as Silver Metallic. http://www.ascmclaren.com/capripics.htm

Rear view of "bubbleback" Capri (1983-1986)

Coupes were equipped with the Ford Motorsport B303 camshaft,^[9] creating significantly more power than the rated 200 bhp (149 kW)/210 bhp (157 kW) of the standard 5.0 motors. Additionally, all coupes were shod with BF Goodrich Comp T/A radials. The 225/50/15 low profile size of these tires (as opposed to the standard 5.0L Capri's 225/60/15) raised the ASC/McLaren Coupe's effective gear ratio from 3.08:1 to approximately 3.35:1. These were the quickest cars produced by Ford in 1985 and 1986 with zero to sixty times well under six seconds and quarter mile times in the mid-13 second range.

The convertibles were a far more involved project. This required the redesigning of the car's unit construction and the fabrication of a replacement rear deck lid, floor reinforcements, quarter panel caps, tonneau cover and a windshield that was raked back an extra 10 degrees. They received a manual convertible top that took up residence in the area once designated for the rear seats. The ASC McLaren convertibles use a smaller top than the Mustang convertible that is unique to that car, as are the seals, weatherstripping, windshield moldings, etcetera. Only 557 convertibles were built during its 1984-1986 production run.^[10]

1985 Mercury Motorsport Capri - Built as pace cars replicas to commemorate Mercury Motorcity 100, the Trans Am Series race run during the fourth year of the Detroit Grand Prix weekend. These were also modified by ASC McLaren for Mercury and are highly sought after for their racing heritage & low production of 55 total units (50 replica's, 4 track cars & 1 prototype).

Motorsport

This particular generation was successful in the Trans Am Series, winning the championship from 1984-1985 with an aftermarket V8 engine.

Third Generation (1991–1994)

Third generation
Mercury Capri Convertible
Overview
Also called	Ford Capri
Production	1991–1994
Assembly	Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door roadster
Layout	FF layout
Related	Mazda 323
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L B6-2E I4 1.6 L Turbo B6T I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	94.7 in (2,405 mm)
Length	1993–94: 167.1 in (4,244 mm) 1991–92: 166.1 in (4,219 mm)
Width	64.6 in (1,641 mm)
Height	1991–92: 50.2 in (1,275 mm) 1993–94 Base: 50.4 in (1,280 mm) 1993–94 XR2: 49.9 in (1,267 mm)

Ford Australia produced a Mazda MX-5 rival named the Ford Capri from 1989, which ironically, was based around many Mazda 323 mechanics. 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 with minimal changes (1994 models did get a minor cosmetic update that included new front and rear bumpers as well as taillights). The XR2 also came standard with an independent rear suspension, and offering reinforced front and rear sway bars.

Mercury Capri rear view (US)

Ford sought to import the Australian convertible in response to Mazda's Miata, necessitating the addition of a driver's airbag for the US market. The Capri featured four seats - though the rear seats were unusable except by small children - a lockable top storage and lockable fold down back seat that made the trunk accessible through the interior when the soft top is up. Popular options included a removable hard top.

Two versions were offered for all model years: base and XR2. The base model featured a Mazda 1.6L DOHC 4-cylinder rated at 100 hp (75 kW). The XR2 featured a turbocharged version of 1.6L engine rated at 132 hp (98 kW). Both the base model and the XR2 had a 5-speed manual transmission standard; a 4-speed automatic was optional only for the base model.

Gallery

Capri I  1976 Capri II  Mercury Capri RS  Mercury Capri RS  1985 ASC McLaren 5.0 SC Convertible  Mercury Capri Convertible

See also

• Ford Capri

References

1. 1970-'74 Ford Capri, www.hemmings.com Retrieved 10 April 2016
2. 1976-1977 Capri II, www.hemmings.com Retrieved 10 April 2016
3. "Facilities | Ford Motor Company Newsroom". Media.ford.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
4. Road and Track 1971 Road test annual 1971
5. Road and Track-February 1971
6. Road and Track-March 1972
7. Road and Track-1975 Road Test annual
8. Road and Track-1977 Road Test annual
9. ascMcLaren Coupe Modifications http://www.ascmclaren.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=24
10. http://ascmclaren.org/WhatIsAnAscMcLaren.html

External links