THE MERCURY CAPRI
FORD’S OWN MUSTANG RIVAL
Were you a British Ford fan in the 1980s? Did you grow up glued to American TV shows like The Fall Guy or CHiPs? Were you transfixed by the screen when a tiny Capri appeared on the freeway alongside Yank muscle cars, wondering whether a UK coupé had been specially imported for destruction? In fact, Mk1 and Mk2 Ford Capris were exported to America from Germany between 1970 and 1977, marketed as the Mercury Capri. Early models were federalised with quad headlamps, indicators in the grille and sidelights on the front wings.At first there was just one engine — the 75 bhp 1600 Crossflow, slated by reviewers as no faster than a VW Beetle — but 1971 brought a 2-litre 100 bhp Pinto and optional automatic transmission. A Cologne 2.6V6 joined the range in 1972, producing 107 bhp but 130 lb.ft torque, allowing the Capri to justify its mini-Mustang image. In contrast, emissions laws slashed the 1600 to a pitiful 64 bhp and 2-litre to just 86 bhp. Meanwhile, a single Capri RS2600 was imported for Edsel Ford (Henry Ford II’s son), made USA-compliant with carburettors instead of fuel injection, with big valves and RS cam to recover the lost grunt. Safety legislation led to dodgem-style bumpers in 1973/4, the 1600 was axed, and the 2.8 replaced the 2.6.The Pinto was suffocated down to 80 bhp.The Mk2 Capri (Capri II) took over in 1975, again wearing twin headlamps, ugly bumpers and grille-mounted indicators. Engine choices were 88 bhp 2.3-litre Lima (a Pinto-type four-pot) or 2.8V6. Stifled by catalytic converters, its 110 bhp output meant the Capri was no sports car — but it was doing a better job than the contemporary Mustang. A special edition was offered in 1976/7, in black or white with gold stripes, wheels and badges plus special upholstery (above). While it echoed the European JPS Capri, American tobacco advertising banned any references to John Player Special cigarettes, so the car was called simply Capri II S.The Mercury Capri badge returned in 1979 with a Mustang-based machine, but its relationship to our favourite UK coupé was over. Dan Williamson