2009 marks the fortieth anniversary of the Ford Capri in Europe.
Who remembers it?
1961 Consul Capri
All right, here at LotPro.com we realize that celebrating the 40th anniversary of a car that was really only available in the U.S. for seven years could be considered a stretch. Even as we begin this discussion, there are probably a few Capri owners out there who will take exception to the time the brand spent here in the U.S.
The fact remains, however, that although the original nameplate was around until 1986, it was essentially a re-badged Mustang from 1979 until the name was dropped seven years later (beginning in 1991 a new Capri was imported from Australia with production ending in 1994).
Capri Mk1 GT
The Capri in Europe
Across the pond, the Capri was launched in 1969 (not to be confused with the Consul Capri that was produced in the early sixties). Considered by many to be the European equivalent of the Ford Mustang, it sold nearly two million copies before production ended in 1986.
According to Ford, “From the outset the Capri was about choice, with a range boasting 26 derivatives. A mixture of engines – 1.3-, 1.6- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder units and a 3-litre V6 – catered for all tastes, while optional custom packs allowed a degree of personal customising that broke new ground in the industry. For the serious drivers there was the Cologne-built RS2600 and the short-lived Halewood-built 124mph RS3100.”
During this time, the Capri built a cult following in Europe and it regularly appeared on British television crime shows such as Minder and The Professionals.
1974 Capri GX
3 Generations
The European Capri consisted of three generations. The first, the Capri Mk1, was produced from 1969 to 1974. Within this generation is the facelifted Mk1 that was produced from 1972 to 1974. It was also this version that was imported into the U.S. (and badged as a Mercury) beginning in 1970, although the square headlights of the revised Mk1 never made over here.
1971 Mercury Capri
The Capri Mk2 was produced from 1974 until 1977 and was also brought over here. Although it was based on the same platform as the Mk1, the body featured a shorter hood and a hatchback. A John Player Special edition was produced in 1975 and, a year later, the Ghia model was introduced. This also marked the last generation that was exported to the U.S.
1985 Capri 2.8
The final generation, the Capri Mk3, was produced from 1978 to 1986. The Mk3 featured a more aerodynamic body as well as quad headlamps. Although sales were falling in Germany throughout the model’s run, the Capri was still very popular in Britain and, in its final two years, it was sold exclusively in the U.K.
One of the most famous Capris, the limited edition Capri 280, also known as the Brooklands Capri, marked the end of an era. By the time the last Capri was assembled in December of 1986 in Germany, nearly 1.9 million had been produced both there and at Ford’s Halewood assembly plant in the U.K.
Zakspeed Capri
All photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
Tags: brooklands capri, capri, capri 280, capri mk1, capri mk2, capri mk3, Ford, ford capri, ford mustang, ghia, john player special, minder, mustang, the professionals, zakspeed capri
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