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121-647: The Ford Capri is a fastback coupé built by Ford of Europe and designed by Philip T. Clark , who had been involved in the design of the Ford Mustang . It used the mechanical components from the Mk2 Ford Cortina and was intended as the European equivalent of the Ford Mustang. The Capri went on to be highly successful for Ford, selling nearly 1.9 million units in its lifetime. A wide variety of engines were used in

242-826: A Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth . Mk.1 Ford Capris 2300 GTs were also operated by Autobahnpolizei in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, with four entering service in Hilden in 1969. From 1970 to 1978, the Capri was sold in North America through Ford's Lincoln - Mercury Division. All were German-produced. Headlamps were four round sealed-beams (shared with the Capri RS3000), and turn signal lamps were grille-mounted on all US-spec 1971–74 Capris and 1976–78 Capri IIs. Full instrumentation wasn't available on 1971–72 four-cylinder models but

363-495: A Home Office report. The 3.0 S was used extensively in the TV series The Professionals in the early 1980s, with characters Bodie driving a silver 3.0 S and Doyle a gold 3.0 S. On 30 November 1984 production of Capris for the European market ceased, from then on it would only be produced in right-hand drive form for the British market. Ford had decided not to launch a direct successor to

484-473: A Tufftrided crankshaft, heavy duty head gaskets and oil pump, an oil cooler and a single Garrett T4 turbocharger providing 5.4 psi of boost, a limited slip differential, Bilstein dampers all around, an anti dive kit, uprated RS anti roll bars and single rear leaf springs, the engine put out 188 Hp at 5500 rpm. Figures of around 200 produced examples are common, but numbered transmission tunnels possibly indicate 155 conversions were made. The Tickford Capri used

605-457: A close ratio gearbox, lightened bodywork panels, ventilated disc brakes and aluminium wheels. It could hit 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.7 seconds. The 2.6 L engine was detuned in September for the deluxe version 2600 GT, with 2550 cc and a double-barrel Solex carburettor. Germany's Dieter Glemser won the drivers' title in the 1971 European Touring Car Championship at the wheel of

726-414: A limited slip differential , full leather Recaro interior and Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres, 15 inch versions of the seven spoke 13 inch wheels fitted to the superseded Capri Injection Special. Ford originally intended to make 500 turbo charged vehicles (by Turbo Technics) complete with gold alloy wheels and name it the Capri 500 but a change of production planning meant a name change to Capri 280 as

847-527: A 100-model limited edition with this new engine. The Group 2 RS3100's engine was tuned by Cosworth into the GAA, with 3,412 cc (3.4 L; 208.2 cu in), fuel injection , DOHC , 4 valves per cylinder and 435 hp (324 kW) in racing trim. The car also featured improved aerodynamics. Besides the racing RS3100, the GAA engine was also used in the Formula 5000 racing category. On 25 February 1974,

968-637: A Ford Köln entered RS2600 and fellow German Jochen Mass did likewise in 1972. The first Ford Special, was the Capri Vista Orange Special. The Capri Special was launched in November 1971 and was based on the 1600 GT, and 2000 GT models. It was only available in vista orange and was optional dealer fitted with a Ford Rally Sport boot mounted spoiler and rear window slats – a direct link to the Mustang. The Special also had some additional standard extras such as

1089-727: A Mark III. Larger front disc brakes, a standard alternator and a front air-dam on all S models finished the list of modifications. Ford introduced the John Player Special limited edition, (known as the JPS) in March 1975. Available only in black or white, the JPS featured yards of gold pinstriping to mimic the Formula 1 livery, gold-coloured wheels, and a bespoke upgraded interior of beige cloth and carpet trimmed with black. In May 1976, and with sales decreasing,

1210-636: A collision. The initial reception of the car was broadly favourable. The range continued to be broadened, with another 3.0 variant, the Capri 3000E introduced from the British plant in March 1970, offering "more luxurious interior trim". Ford began selling the Capri in the Australian market in May 1969 and in April 1970 it was released in the North American and South African markets. The South African Models initially used

1331-411: A crate engine from Ford Racing and Performance Parts. All 221, 260, and 289 engines built from July 1961 through August 1964 used a five-bolt bell housing, with all 221s and 260s being of this configuration, but the 289 changed to the six-bolt arrangement at this time – the change was made to resolve transmission utilization issues, such as the need for larger-diameter clutches. The block mount pads and

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1452-441: A ducktail rear spoiler , a re-drilled crossmember to move the suspension arms outward to provide negative camber which also made it necessary to have special wider flared front wings, heavy duty springs with Bilstein gas dampers at the front and rear, competition single rear leaf springs , special bump rubbers and spacer blocks, a small front air dam and larger 9.75 inch front ventilated disc brakes . These modifications made

1573-541: A four-barrel carburetor. This engine was rated (SAE gross) 260 hp (194 kW) at 5800 rpm and 269 lb⋅ft (365 N⋅m) at 4800 rpm. This engine was termed the HP-260 by Ford and was specifically made for Carroll Shelby – about 100 were made. The 1964–1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I used the 260. The 1967 Sunbeam Tiger Mk II used the 289 ci in V8 when the 'build ahead' stocks of the 260 ran out. The 289 cu in (4.7 L)

1694-483: A full second faster than the standard 3.0-litre Capri, and had a top speed of 130 mph. These upgrades could only be bought through and fitted by one of the 80 Ford RS Motorsport dealerships in the UK, or a complete new car could be ordered factory equipped through a Ford Motorsport dealer. It is estimated that little over 100 conversions were made. The X Pack was also available in mainland Europe between 1979 and 1980 where it

1815-480: A less practical, elongated rear end design. In Australia, fastbacks (known as "slopers") were introduced in 1935, first designed by General Motors' Holden as one of the available bodies on Oldsmobile , Chevrolet , and Pontiac chassis. The sloper design was added by Richards Body Builders in Australia to Dodge and Plymouth models in 1937; it was subsequently adopted by Ford Australia in 1939 and 1940, as well as

1936-489: A limited edition, Zakspeed inspired, left-hand drive only, 'Werksturbo' model capable of 220 km/h (137 mph). Based on the 3.0 S, this derivative featured widened Series X bodywork, front and rear 'Ford Motorsport' badged spoilers, deep 7.5j four-spoked RS alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli P7 235/60VR13 tyres and an RS badged engine. The engine was based on a normally aspirated carburetor equipped 2.8-litre Cologne V6, Ford Granada (Europe) engine using electronic ignition,

2057-459: A low drag coefficient . For example, although lacking a wind tunnel , Hudson designed its post-World War II cars to look aerodynamic, and "tests conducted by Nash later found that the Hudson had almost 20% less drag than contemporary notchback sedans". However, the aerodynamic teardrop shape meant lower headroom for rear seat passengers, limited visibility to the rear for the driver, and also meant

2178-557: A new sporty version debuted at the Geneva Motor Show , called the 2.8 Injection. The new model was the first regular model since the RS2600 to use fuel injection. Power rose to a claimed 160 PS (118 kW), even though tests showed the real figure was closer to 150 PS (110 kW), giving a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph), but the car still had a standard four-speed gearbox. The Capri 2.8 Injection breathed new life into

2299-444: A push-button radio, fabric seat upholstery, inertia reel seat belts, heated rear screen and black vinyl roof. There were only 1200 Vista Orange Capri Specials made. One of the last limited editions of the original Mk I, was a version that came in either metallic green or black with red interior and featured some additional extras, such as cloth inserts in the seats, hazard lights, map reading light, opening rear windows, vinyl roof and for

2420-476: A short-skirt block that does not extend below the centerline of the crankshaft. The engine uses a separate aluminum timing chain cover, which differentiates it from the later 335-series Cleveland engines that use an integrated timing cover. All Ford small-block engines use two-valve-per-cylinder heads, with "2V" and "4V" designations indicating the number of barrels (or venturi) in the carburetor . The valves are in-line and use straight six-bolt valve covers. Coolant

2541-680: A silver filler panel. 1974 models had larger bumpers front and rear with wraparound urethane , body-color bumper covers to meet the revised Federal front and rear 5 mph standard. 1976–78 models were the re-designed hatchback models offered worldwide since 1974, fitted with the grille-mounted turn signal lamps and the required round sealed-beam headlamps, 5 mph body-color bumpers and catalytic converter , requiring no-lead fuel. In 1976, an 'S' (JPS) special edition featured black or white paint with gold-coloured wheels, gold pin-striping, and upgraded two-tone interior in beige and black. Due to late production of Capri IIs, there were no 1975 models sold in

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2662-610: A sloper style made on Nash chassis. According to automotive historian G.N. Georgano , "the Slopers were advanced cars for their day". In Europe, there was a sloping rear on streamlined cars as early as 1945, from which the shapes of the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 356 are derived. In Japan, the Toyota AA first adopted the fastback style in 1936. It was strongly influenced by the 1933 DeSoto Airflow . The 1965 Mitsubishi Colt 800

2783-533: A successor to the Ford Y-block engine , it was first installed in the 1962 model year Ford Fairlane and Mercury Meteor . Originally produced with a displacement of 221 cu in (3.6 L), it eventually increased to 351 cu in (5.8 L) with a taller deck height, but was most commonly sold (from 1968–2000) with a displacement of 302 cu in (later marketed as 5.0 L). Famed variants powered 289 Shelby Cobras to Trans-Am racing championships and

2904-486: A turbocharged 2.8 Injection Cologne engine which developed 205 hp (153 kW), allowing it to reach 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds and 100 miles per hour in 18.5 seconds, topping out at 137 miles per hour. This version also featured a luxury interior with optional full leather retrim and Wilton carpeting and headlining, large rear spoiler, colour-coded front grille, deeper bumpers and 'one off' bodykit designed by Simon Saunders, later of KAT Designs and now designer of

3025-456: Is not interchangeable with " liftback "; the former describes the car's shape, and the latter refers to a roof-hinged tailgate that lifts upwards for storage area access. More specifically, the Road & Track Illustrated Automotive Dictionary defines the fastback as A closed body style, usually a coupe but sometimes a sedan, with a roof sloped gradually in an unbroken line from the windshield to

3146-408: Is routed out of the block through the intake manifold. The design was soon bored to 260 cu in (4.3 L) and again to 289 cu in (4.7 L), then stroked to 302 cu in (4.9 L), settling on the most common displacement offered until the engine's retirement in 2001, nearly 40 years after the basic block design debuted. Two additional displacements were produced during

3267-614: The 390 and 428 big-block engines became available in the Mustang and Fairlane lines, which offered similar power (at the expense of greater weight, and worsened front/rear weight distribution) with cheaper parts at far less cost. The HiPo engine was used in modified form by Carroll Shelby for the 1965–1967 Shelby GT350 , receiving special exhaust headers, an aluminum intake manifold, and a larger 4-barrel Holley 715 CFM carburetor , which rated power to 306 bhp (310 PS; 228 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 329 lb⋅ft (446 N⋅m) at 4,200 rpm of torque . Shelby also replaced

3388-523: The Ariel Atom . Rear disc brakes were standard on the Tickford, which featured numerous other suspension modifications. This model was essentially rebuilt by hand by Tickford at approximately 200 hours per car. It sold only 80 units. One problem was the relative price difference to the standard Capri Injection, with the Tickford version costing twice as much. What is thought to be the last Capri registered in

3509-737: The Escort and Cortina sedans. From 1989 to 1994 Ford Australia reused the Capri name for an unrelated two-door convertible sports car, coded the SA30. The new model was exported to the United States, where it was marketed as the Mercury Capri . A small portion were sold in Australia. Ford of South Africa assembled the Capri from 1970 to late 1972 with a similar model range to the UK. No facelift models or RS variants were marketed in South Africa. The Essex V6

3630-569: The Fiesta XR2 , Escort XR3/XR3i and Sierra XR4i . All of these sold well, while their introduction onto the market saw a decline in Capri sales even in the UK. Several of its competitors had already been discontinued without a direct replacement, most notably British Leyland's MG B which was not directly replaced when the Abingdon factory which produced it was closed in 1980. Vauxhall had launched coupe versions of its MK1 Cavalier in 1978 but when

3751-631: The Ford GT-40 to wins at LeMans and 1-2-3 sweeps in its iconic 5L form. The Boss 302 also was a Trans-Am design. The "Windsor V8" was installed in several of the company's most famous products, notably the Mustang , as well as the Mercury Cougar , Ford Torino , Ford Granada , Mercury Monarch , Ford LTD , Mercury Marquis , Ford Maverick , and Ford F-150 pickup. For the 1991 model year, Ford began phasing in their new Modular V8 engine to replace

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3872-677: The Ford GT40 MKII and GT40 MKIV had dominated the Le Mans 24-Hour Race for two consecutive years, using various versions of the Ford big-block engine. In an attempt to reduce the high speeds, the organizers of this race capped the engine capacity in 1968. Ford consequently returned to the MKI GT40 (originally using the Windsor 289), but had now increased its capacity to meet the new rules. Since Ford had ruled that

3993-406: The Ford Mustang , have been marketed explicitly as fastbacks, often to differentiate them from other body styles (e.g. coupé models) in the same model range . A fastback is often defined as having a single slope from the roof to the rear of the vehicle. Traditionally a fastback will have a trunk opening that is separate from the rear window which remains in a fixed position. The term "fastback"

4114-675: The Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland and Strathclyde Police in Scotland. Most notably, Ford Capris were operated extensively in the traffic division of Greater Manchester Police , as well as its predecessor Manchester and Salford Police . High-performance Capris were delivered to the force from 1971 until 1986, when a final fleet of Mk.III 2.8 Injection Capris were delivered. Greater Manchester Police eventually retired their last Mk.III 2.8i Capri in 1992, being replaced by

4235-571: The Saarlouis and Cologne plants in Germany. The car was named Colt during its development stage, but Ford was unable to use the name, which had already been trademarked by Mitsubishi (and used since 1962 on its Colt ). The name Capri comes from the Italian island and this was the second time Ford had used the name, the previous model being the Ford Consul Capri , often just known as the Capri in

4356-790: The Y-block and the MEL . It was optional in Fox-chassis cars including the Mustang (and corporate cousin Mercury Capri), Thunderbird, and Fairmont, and standard equipment in the Ford LTD . Some variants (such as the one used in the Mercury Grand Marquis) were fitted with a variable-venturi carburetor which were capable of highway fuel economy in excess of 27 mpg ‑US (11 km/L; 32 mpg ‑imp ). Due to its dismal overall performance,

4477-496: The new V6 was in production. Rated power (SAE net) was 115–122 hp (86–91 kW), depending on year and application. Cylinder heads, which were specific to this engine, used smaller combustion chambers and valves, and the intake ports were oval whereas the others were all rectangular. The only externally visible clue was the use of an open-runner intake manifold with a stamped-steel lifter valley cover attached to its underside, reminiscent of previous-generation V8 engines, such as

4598-686: The "power dome" hood and four round 5 3 ⁄ 4 " U.S.-spec headlights. They carried no "Ford" badging, as the Capri was only sold by Lincoln-Mercury dealers (with the Mercury division handling sales) and promoted to U.S. drivers as "the sexy European". The Capri was sold in Japan with both the 1.6 L and 2.0 L engines in GT trim. Sales were handled in Japan by Kintetsu Motors, then an exclusive importer of Ford products to Japan. The 2.0 litre engine required Japanese owners to pay more annual road tax in comparison to

4719-507: The 1,000,000th Capri, an RS 2600, was completed on 29 August. On 25 September 1973, Ford gave the green light to the long-awaited RHD RS Capri, replacing the Cologne V6 based RS 2600 with the Essex V6 based RS 3100, with the usual 3.0 L Essex V6's displacement increased to 3,098 cc (3.1 L; 189.1 cu in) by boring the cylinders from the 93.6 mm (3.69 in) of

4840-686: The 1.6 litre engine, which affected sales. A new 2637 cc version of the Cologne V6 engine assembled by Weslake and featuring their special all alloy cylinder heads 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 suspension,

4961-622: The 1976–77 Capri ll hatchback models, although the V6's power had crept up to 109 hp (81 kW) at 4,800 rpm. The last Capris were brought in 1977 although sales continued into 1978. Capri sales had slid considerably by the time of the introduction of the Capri II, and the high price contributed to ending sales of German-built Capris in the US. In 1979, no longer importing the Ford Capri, but capitalising on

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5082-416: The 1986 model year - the Capri's final year on sale - the range had been rationalised even further to just the 1.6 Laser, 2.0 Laser and the 2.8 Injection. The Mark II and Mark III 3.0 litre X-pack special performance options pack for the Capri were offered between 1977 and 1980. They used a special glassfibre wide bodykit made by Fibresports, larger ventilated front disc brakes (retaining the standard drums at

5203-410: The 1990s, these engines were marinized by various companies (except for the 255 cu in (4.2 L)). The small block remains available for purchase from Ford Performance Parts as a crate engine . The small-block engine was introduced in the 1962 Ford Fairlane and Mercury Meteor cars. Displacing 221 cu in (3.6 L), it was designed to save weight, using thin-wall casting for

5324-447: The 2000 I4 engine. In 1972–73, the 2000 I4 became the standard engine, and an OHV 2600 (2.6 L) Cologne V6 was optional, which produced 120 hp (89 kW). The 1600 I4 was dropped. For 1974, new engines were used—the OHC 2300 (2.3 L) I4 and OHV 2800 (2.8 L) Cologne V6; producing 88 hp (66 kW) and 105 hp (78 kW) respectively. The engines were carried over for

5445-506: The 255 was dropped at the end the 1982 model year with 253,000 units manufactured; however, 302 production continued and the plans to phase it out were dropped. Applications: The second version of the Fairlane V8 was given the name Challenger , and was introduced during the middle of the 1962 model year (March 1962). It had a larger bore of 3.80 in (96.5 mm), increasing displacement to 260 cu in (4.3 L). Compression ratio

5566-465: The 260. Ford ceased production of the 260 at the end of the 1964 car model year with approximately 604,000 units having been made. The special rally version of the Falcon and Comet and early AC Cobra sports cars of 1962 used a high-performance version of the 260 with higher compression, hotter camshaft timing, upgraded connecting rods, valves with larger diameter valve stems, stronger valve springs and

5687-486: The 3.0 L to 95.25 mm (3.75 in). Unlike its predecessor, it used the same double-barrel 38-DGAS Weber carburetor as the standard 3.0 L, and reached the same 150 PS (148 bhp; 110 kW) at 5000 rpm as the RS 2600 and 254 N⋅m (187 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm of torque . The RS 3100's ride height was one inch lower than other Capris, and also featured other unique modifications such as gold pinstriping ,

5808-496: The 3000 GT in the UK, with the Essex V6 , capable of 138 hp (103 kW). Under the new body, the running gear was very similar to the 1966 Cortina . The rear suspension employed a live axle supported on leaf springs with short radius rods. MacPherson struts were featured at the front in combination with rack and pinion steering (sourced from the Ford Escort) which employed a steering column that would collapse in response to

5929-501: The 3000GXL model. The Kent engines were replaced by the Ford Pinto engine and the previously UK-only 3000 GT joined the German line-up. In the UK the 2.0 L V4 remained in use. In addition, North American versions received larger rubber-covered bumpers (to comply with US DOT regulations) for 1973. In 1973, the Capri saw the highest sales total it would ever attain, at 233,000 vehicles:

6050-483: The 302 cu in block, producing the famous " Boss 302 ". The heads from the Boss 302 became the production heads on the 335-series Cleveland engines, which used the same bore spacing and head bolt configuration as the small block engines. As the 1980s drew to a close, Ford began the design of a new OHC V8 to replace the venerable small block design. The Modular 4.6 L OHC V8 debuted in the 1991 Lincoln Town Car , signaling

6171-424: The 351 cu in (5.8 L) version from the 351 cu in (5.8 L) "Cleveland" version of the 335-family engine that had the same displacement but a significantly different configuration, and only ever used to refer to that specific engine in service materials. The designations for each were derived from the original locations of manufacture: Windsor, Ontario and Cleveland, Ohio. From 1962 through

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6292-510: The British 1600 OHV (1.6 L), 64 hp (48 kW) Kent engine with the four-speed manual transmission. The 1971 Capri offered the Kent-built 1600 I4 and the optional, Cologne-built OHC 2000 (2.0 L) I4 engine for improved performance with 101 hp (75 kW). An optional three-speed automatic transmission (a Ford Cruise-o-Matic C4, also shared with the Pinto) was made available with

6413-480: The Capri II 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 (accessing a 630-litre boot). This made it the first Ford to feature a hatchback, at a time when the hatchback was becoming increasingly popular in Europe after first being patented by Renault in

6534-538: The Capri II, it was often referred to as the Mk III. The first cars were available in March 1978, and sold very well initially. The concept of a heavily facelifted Capri II was shown at the 1976 Geneva show: a Capri II with a front very similar to the Escort RS2000 (with four headlamps and black slatted grille), and with a rear spoiler , essentially previewed the model some time before launch. The new styling cues, most notably

6655-904: The Capri began in November 1968. It was unveiled 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 by producing a European pony car . It was mechanically based on the Cortina and built in Europe at the Halewood plant in the United Kingdom, the Genk plant in Belgium, and

6776-568: The Capri ended in Australia, with a total of 14,638 vehicles having been assembled. In June/July, 1974, Ford Australia imported fifty RS3100 models. Ford Australia also imported four examples of the Capri II (Mk.2), albeit for show purposes only. Neither the Mk.1 facelift (except the RS3100) Capri nor the subsequent Mk.2 and Mk.3 models were produced or officially sold in Australia (though they were heavily involved in Australian motorsport and many have been privately imported). Ford Australia concentrated its sales efforts on other UK sourced products, namely

6897-454: The Capri, as it did not feel that demand for affordable coupes in Europe was sufficient for a new Capri to be developed. Ford was, however, enjoying success with high performance versions of the Fiesta, Escort and Sierra, which appealed mostly to buyers who might have been expected to buy a Capri before 1980. Ford made a return to the coupe market in Europe when the American built Probe was made available to European buyers from 1994. This car

7018-428: The Challenger 289 engine was introduced late in the 1963 model year as a special order for Ford Fairlanes. The engine is informally known as the HiPo or the "K-code" (after the engine letter used in the VIN code of cars so equipped). It was the only 289 engine available in the intermediate Fairlanes, with lesser-powered cars receiving the 260 V8. Starting in June 1964, it became an option for the Mustang. The HiPo engine

7139-422: The GT40 engines must have a direct link back to its production cars, the 302 was adopted in domestic manufacturing. Both two-bolt and four-bolt main bearing versions were made. In 1968, the small-block Ford stroke was increased from 2.87 in (72.9 mm) to 3 in (76.2 mm), giving a total displacement of 4,942 cc (4.9 L; 301.6 cu in). The connecting rods were shortened to allow

7260-443: The German RS and British Tickford ever appeared in Ford literature as official Ford products. From November 1984 onwards, the Capri was sold only in Britain, with only right hand drive cars being made from this date. The normally aspirated 1.6 and 2.0 variants were rebranded with a new trim level – "Lasers" – which featured a fully populated instrument pod, leather gear lever , leather steering wheel, four-spoke alloy wheels as used on

7381-424: The Kent 1.6 engine and the V4 2.0 version of the Essex, although a Pinto straight-four 2.0 L replaced it in some markets in 1971. An exception, though, was the Perana manufactured by Basil Green Motors near Johannesburg, which was powered first by a 3.0 Essex engine and then by a 302ci V8 Ford Windsor engine after Ford South Africa began offering 3.0 Essex-engined options. All North American versions featured

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7502-399: The MK2 Cavalier was launched in 1981 there were no new coupe versions. Renault did not replace its Fuego coupe which was discontinued in 1986. In addition to being the most popular sporting model in Britain for most of its production life, the third generation Capri was also one of the most stolen cars in Britain during the 1980s and early 1990s, being classified as "high risk" of theft in

7623-441: The Mk II. The trademark quad headlamps were introduced, while the bonnet's leading edge was pulled down over the top of the headlamps, making the appearance more aggressive. At launch the existing engine and transmission combinations of the Capri II were carried over, with the 3.0 S model regarded as the most desirable model although in Britain the softer, more luxurious Ghia derivative with automatic, rather than manual transmission,

7744-401: The RS 3100 very stable at high speeds but several reviews also complained about its rough ride. Only 250 RS3100s were built for homologation purposes between November 1973 and December 1973 so its racing version could be eligible for competition in the over three-litre Group 2 class for the 1974 season However, the car was still competitive in touring car racing , and Ford Motorsport produced

7865-468: The S models, an electric aerial and colour-coded grille and mirrors. The very last Laser Capri came off the line in November 1986, painted in a unique "Mercury Grey" colour. This car was registered on 8 May 1987 in Sussex and is to be found in a collection of classic cars in Gillingham, Kent. The last run limited edition Capri 280, nicknamed "Brooklands" referring to the name of the particular shade of green that all Capri 280 models were painted in, featured

7986-419: The Sydney suburb of Homebush from March, 1969 until November, 1972. The Capri was offered in the Australian market from 3 May 1969, as the 1600 Deluxe and the 1600 GT, using the 1.6-litre Kent OHV engine. On 25 February 1970, the 3000 GT was launched, equipped with the 3.0-litre Essex V6 . At the same time the 1600 GT became the 1600 XL, while the 1600 Deluxe remained unchanged. In November 1972, production of

8107-461: The UK and North America, though in smaller numbers and the Mk IIIs were only exported outside Europe/UK (to Asia and New Zealand) in limited numbers. Throughout its production run, Ford Capris were operated by the traffic divisions of some police forces in the United Kingdom. A fleet of Mk.I 3000 GT Capris were first introduced to the Lancashire Constabulary in 1971, with further examples entering service with police forces in Merseyside , Sussex ,

8228-406: The UK is a white Tickford registered on 11 September 1991 with the registration number J4AJA. Independent tuner Turbo Technics also released a turbocharged 200 hp (149 kW) and 230 hp (172 kW) evolution which came supplied with a specially built gearbox. The Tickford Capri pricing issues meant that Ford also sanctioned the Turbo Technics conversion as semi-official, although only

8349-456: The UK sourced 3.0-litre V6 with (140 PS (103 kW)), available with either a four-speed Ford Type 5 manual transmission or one of Ford's new C3 three-speed automatic transmissions available on all models except the 1.3, the C3 automatic transmission proved to be a very popular option among Ghia buyers, therefore it became standard on all Ghia models after the 1976 model year and the four-speed manual transmission became optional. Although it

8470-426: The US (Lincoln-Mercury dealerships had an inventory of leftover 1974 models during the 1975 model year as seen on TV advertisements). Unlike the European market where the Capri was available in several trim levels and marketed as the equivalent of a Grand Touring automobile, the US/Canada market Capris were marketed as a compact sports car. Originally, Cologne-built Capris imported to North America were fitted only with

8591-462: The black "Aeroflow" grille (first used on the Mk I Fiesta ) and the "sawtooth" rear lamp lenses echoed the new design language being introduced at that time by Ford of Europe's chief stylist Uwe Bahnsen across the entire range. Similar styling elements were subsequently introduced in the 1979 Cortina 80, 1980 Escort Mk III and the 1981 Granada Mk IIb. In addition, the Mk III featured improved aerodynamics, leading to improved performance and economy over

8712-407: The boxy-looking vehicles of their day. Such designs, which were ahead of their time when exhibited during the early 1930s, included a droplet -like streamlining of the car's rear, a configuration similar to what would become known as the "fastback" 25 years later. Merriam-Webster first recognized the term "fastback" in 1954, many years before the popularization of the term "hatchback", which entered

8833-459: The car could be easily distinguished by seven spoke RS wheels (without the customary "RS" logo since this was not an RS vehicle) and colour-coded grille and headlamp surrounds. At the same time the 2.0 Capri was rationalised to one model, the 2.0 S, which simultaneously adopted a mildly modified suspension from the Capri Injection. The 1.6 model was also reduced to a single model, the 1.6 LS. By

8954-500: The car throughout its production lifespan, which included the Essex and Cologne V6 at the top of the range, while the Kent straight-four and Taunus V4 engines were used in lower-specification models. Although the Capri was not officially replaced, the second-generation Probe was effectively its replacement after the later car's introduction to the European market in 1994. Production of

9075-465: The cars were simply the last models that ran down the production line. A total of 1,038 Capri 280s were built. There was no direct successor to the Capri, as Ford felt that there was not adequate demand for a car of this type in Europe to justify a direct replacement; Capri sales had been declining since 1980, with faster versions of more practical hatchbacks and saloons becoming popular at the expense of sports cars. British Leyland , for instance, had taken

9196-582: The continental model using the Ford Taunus V4 engine in 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 L engine displacements , and British the Ford Kent straight-four in 1.3 and 1.6 L form. The Ford Essex V4 engine 2.0 L (British built) and Cologne V6 2.0 L (German built) served as initial range-toppers. At the end of the year, new sports versions were added: the 2300 GT in Germany, using a double-barrel carburettor with 125 PS (92 kW), and in September 1969

9317-485: The coupé. Ford tried to maintain interest in 1977 with Ford Rallye Sport , Series X, "X Pack" options from the performance oriented RS parts range. Although expensive and slow selling these proved that the press would enthusiastically cover more developed Capris with higher performance. However, the rise in popularity of "hot hatchbacks" and sports saloons during the early 1980s saw demand for affordable sports car fall throughout Europe . Between 1980 and 1983, Ford launched

9438-626: The cylinder wall contour of the 221 and 260 engines changed in January–February 1963 with the introduction of the 289 variant – all 221 and 260 engine blocks up to this time featured "corrugated wall" construction with two core plugs on the side of each bank and engine mount hole pitch distances of 6 inch. All three block variants from this point on featured the straight wall method of construction, three core plugs, and an engine mount hole pitch distance of seven inches. The corrugated wall method of block construction had caused cleaning difficulties in

9559-496: The decision not to replace its MG and Triumph sports cars on their demise at the beginning of the 1980s due to falling popularity, instead concentrating on mostly MG-badged versions of hatchbacks and saloons like the Metro and Montego , while Ford had enjoyed strong sales of its faster versions of the Fiesta , Escort and Sierra in the run-up to the Capri's demise. When the last Capri

9680-541: The dictionary in 1970. Opinions vary as to whether the terms are mutually exclusive. Early examples of fastback cars include the 1929 Auburn Cabin Speedster, 1933 Cadillac V-16 Aerodynamic Coupe, 1935 Stout Scarab , 1933 Packard 1106 Twelve Aero Sport Coupe, Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic, Tatra 87 , Porsche 356 , Saab 92/96 , Standard Vanguard , GAZ-M20 Pobeda , and Bentley Continental R-Type . Fastbacks provide an advantage in developing aerodynamic vehicles with

9801-432: The early 1940s until 1950, nearly every domestic manufacturer offered at least one fastback body style within their model lineups. Although the styling was good, the cars had less trunk capacity compared to the notchback designs. In the mid-1960s, the style was revived on many GM and Ford products until the mid-1970s. Marketing terminology changed in 2004, with the launch of the first generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class . It

9922-466: The engine was introduced with a four-barrel carburetor and 9.0:1 compression, rated at 210 hp (157 kW) at 4,400 rpm and 300 lb⋅ft (407 N⋅m) at 2,800 rpm. The engine was an option on the 1965 Ford Mustang and was known as the "D-code" from the letter code used to identify the engine in the VIN . The D-code engine is relatively rare, as it was only offered as an optional engine in

10043-420: The engine's history. A 351 cu in (5.8 L) model was offered beginning in 1969 and continuing until 1996. The 351W (so identified to distinguish from the 335-series Cleveland 351C) uses a taller block than the other engines in the series to avoid excessively short connecting rods. And for a brief time in the early 1980s, a version with a smaller bore diameter that displaced 255 cubic inches (4.2 L)

10164-598: The eventual demise of the OHV Ford small-block. Through the rest of the decade, Ford gradually shifted V8 applications to the Modular engine, with the Mustang transitioning in 1996. Even as the small-block neared the end of its life, development continued, with new cylinder heads introduced for the Ford Explorer in 1997. American sales in new vehicles ended with the 2001 Ford Explorer, but the engine continues to be offered for sale as

10285-573: The first time a bonnet bulge was fitted to the sub-3.0-litre models. This special edition was only available with a 1.6 or 2.0 engines and had the full title of GTXLR Special. The Capri proved highly successful, with 400,000 cars sold in its first two years. Ford revised it in late 1971. It received new and more comfortable suspension, enlarged tail-lights (replacing the one sourced from the Escort Mk1) and new seats. Larger headlamps with separate indicators were also fitted, with quad headlamps now featured on

10406-536: The foundry from day one and a change was phased in. The first engine of this family, called the Fairlane V8 , introduced for the 1962 model year as an option on the Fairlane and Meteor, had a displacement of 221 cu in (3.6 L), from a 3.5 in (89 mm) bore and 2.87 in (72.9 mm) stroke, with wedge combustion chambers for superior breathing. An advanced, compact, thinwall-casting design, it

10527-417: The front main bearing journal, all designed to reduce the 'bending moment' in the crankshaft at high-rpm.) The HiPo equipped with a single 4-barrel Autolite 4100 carburetor carried SAE gross ratings of 271 bhp (275 PS; 202 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 312 lb⋅ft (423 N⋅m) at 3,400 rpm. The K-code HiPo engine was an expensive option and its popularity was greatly diminished after

10648-440: The fuel pump received an extra spring to keep up with high rpm demand, alternator/generator pulleys were larger diameter, respectively (to slow their relative speeds at high engine revs), and a special fan was fitted. Bottom-end high-rpm improvements included a flaw-free selected standard block, thicker main bearing caps and crankshaft damper/balancer, larger-diameter rod bolts, a crankshaft made from 80% nodular iron as opposed to

10769-535: The intermediate 3.0 GT models disappeared to give way for the upscale 3.0 S and Ghia designations. In October 1976, the only UK plant producing Capris, Ford's Halewood plant stopped production, and all production of the Capri was moved to the Cologne factory in Germany. The last year that Capris were made for the US market was 1977, with 513,500 cars sold in the year. The Capri Mk III was referred to internally as "Project Carla", and although little more than an update of

10890-463: The internal front press-in oil gallery plugs with threaded plugs to reduce chances of high rpm failure, and installed a larger oil pan with baffles to reduce oil starvation in hard cornering. From 1966 to 1968, Shelby offered an optional Paxton supercharger on Shelby GT350 289s, raising power to around 390 hp (291 kW). About 25,000 K-code 289s were manufactured at Cleveland Engine Plant 1 (CEP1) between March 1963 and June 1967. By 1967,

11011-428: The late 1960s to the 1970s, American coke bottle styling became popular in Japan, as seen on Toyota 's 1973 Celica "Liftback" . In North America, the numerous marketing terms for the fastback body style included "aerosedan", "club coupe", "sedanette" and "torpedo back". Cars included Cadillac 's Series 61 and 62 Club Coupes, as well as various other models from General Motors , Ford , and Chrysler . From

11132-511: The latter half of the 1964 model year. This engine was marketed in the 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone as the "Cyclone" and carried a K-code in its Mercury VIN. This engine is not the same engine as the HiPo K-code engine offered in Ford vehicles. For 1965, the compression ratio of the base 289 was raised to 9.3:1, increasing power to 200 hp (149 kW) at 4,400 rpm and torque to 282 lb⋅ft (382 N⋅m) at 2,400 rpm. In 1968,

11253-410: The mid-1960s. By the standards of the mid-1970s, the Capri II was a very well evolved vehicle with very few reliability issues. For Germany the Capri now offered 1.3-litre (55 PS (40 kW)), 1.6-litre (72 PS (53 kW)), 1.6-litre GT (88 PS (65 kW)), or 2.0-litre (99 PS (73 kW)) in-line four-cylinder engines, complemented by a 2.3-litre V6 (108 PS (79 kW)) and

11374-590: The model's positive image, Mercury dealers began selling a new Capri that was a restyled derivative of the Fox-bodied Ford Mustang and was produced until 1986. Mercury introduced yet another Capri in 1990, but this was the Australian produced, Mazda-based, 2+2 seat, front-wheel drive convertible. The Ford Motor Company of Australia assembled the European-designed Capri Mk.1 at its plant in

11495-461: The only G-reg Capri, and the next-to-last Capri to have been registered – though it is estimated that there are 3 Capri 280s that have never been registered, one of them being a 230 HP Turbo Technics conversion, and two standard cars. Production had ended at Halewood, UK in 1976 and the Capri was made exclusively in Germany from 1976 to 1986. More than a million Mk Is were sold in Europe, the UK and North America. The Mk IIs continued to be sold in Europe,

11616-502: The range and kept the car in production 2–3 years longer than Ford had planned. The four-speed gearbox was replaced with a five-speed unit early on – at the same time Ford swapped the dated looking chequered seats for more luxurious looking velour trim. A more substantial upgrade was introduced in 1984 with the Capri Injection Special. This development used half leather seating and included a limited slip differential . Externally

11737-455: The rear edge of the car. A fastback naturally lends itself to a hatchback configuration and many have it, but not all hatchbacks are fastbacks and vice versa. In the case of the Ford Mustang , the term "fastback" is used to differentiate against the coupé notchback body style, which has a steeper rear window followed by a horizontal trunk lid. Automobile designers in the 1930s began using elements of aircraft aerodynamics to streamline

11858-705: The rear), Bilstein gas-filled rear dampers and front struts (used with single rear leaf springs), an "anti-dive kit", a Salisbury limited slip differential (LSD) and a choice of two performance upgrades for Essex V6 3.0 L engines. The first upgrade, called the GP1 or Group 1 pack, bumped power up to 170 hp (127 kW). This engine included larger valves, ported cylinder heads and a Weber 40 DFI5 carburetor and other optional performance upgrades. The second option, referred to as Series X or X Pack, offered 185 hp (138 kW) and 195 lb/ft of torque, thanks to three Weber 42 DCNF two-barrel carburetors fed by an electric fuel pump,

11979-418: The regular item's 40% (with each one checked for correct 'nodularity' by polishing an area of the rear counterweight and comparing a magnification of that surface against a standard), and increased crankshaft counterweighting to compensate for the heavier connecting rod big ends. (The external counter weighting at the front was split between the crankshaft damper and a supplementary counterweight place adjacent to

12100-503: The same ported cylinder heads and larger inlet and exhaust valves as the GP1. It used special head gaskets even though the standard compression ratio of 9.0:1 and standard camshaft were retained. The X Pack was also equipped with a wing as standard and it featured unique 7.5 x 13 inch wheels, for which a special bodykit was made. The X Pack included a free flowing performance exhaust system with distinctive flattened rear ends. The X Pack Capri could reach 60 mph from standing in 7.4 seconds,

12221-493: The same way the Ford Consul Cortina and Ford Consul Classic rarely used the "Consul" in everyday use (the Ford Consul Cortina was officially renamed Ford Cortina in 1964). Ford wanted the flashy fastback coupé to be affordable for a broad spectrum of potential buyers, which it made possible in part by making it available in a variety of engines. The British and German factories produced different Capri Mk I line-ups, with

12342-524: The small-block, beginning with the Lincoln Town Car and continuing through the 1990s. The 2001 Explorer SUV was the last North American installation of the engine, and Ford Australia used it through 2002 in the Falcon and Fairlane . Although sometimes called the "Windsor" by enthusiasts, Ford never used that designation for the engine line as a whole; it was only adopted well into its run to distinguish

12463-601: The two-barrel was reduced to 195 hp (145 kW). In 1965, the four-barrel (4V) version was increased to 10.0:1 compression, and was rated at 225 hp (168 kW) at 4,800 rpm and 305 lb⋅ft (414 N⋅m) at 3,200 rpm. The 289-4V was also the engine for the Australian Ford XR Falcon GT , its first Falcon GT,. Around 3,500,000 289-2V and 289-4V engines were made at Cleveland Engine Plant 1 (CEP1) and 800,000 289-2V at Windsor Engine Plant 1 (WEP1) in 1963-1967. A high-performance version of

12584-458: The use of the same pistons as the 289. The new 302 replaced the 289 early in the 1968 model year. The most common form of this engine used a two-barrel carburetor, initially with 9.5:1 compression. It had hydraulic lifters and valves of 1.773 in (45.0 mm) (intake) and 1.442 in (36.6 mm) (exhaust), and was rated (SAE gross) at 220 hp (164 kW) at 4,600 rpm and 300 lb⋅ft (407 N⋅m) at 2,600 rpm. Optional

12705-635: Was 24 in wide, 29 in long, and 27.5 in tall (610 mm × 737 mm × 699 mm). It weighed only 470 lb (210 kg) dry despite its cast iron construction, making it the lightest and most compact V8 engine of its type of the era. In stock form, it used a two-barrel carburetor and a compression ratio of 8.7:1, allowing the use of regular rather than premium gasoline . Valve diameters were 1.59 in (40.4 mm) (intake) and 1.388 in (35.3 mm) (exhaust). Rated power and torque ( SAE gross ) were 145 hp (108 kW) at 4,400 rpm and 216 lb⋅ft (293 N⋅m) at 2,200 rpm. The 221

12826-478: Was a manufacturing economy measure so that both 260 and 289 engines could use the same valves. Although the engine breathed better, and was capable of producing marginally more power, rated power was not changed. In 1963, the 260 became the base engine on full-sized Ford sedans. Later in the model year, its availability was expanded to the Ford Falcon and Mercury Comet . The early "1964½" Ford Mustang also offered

12947-609: Was also introduced in April 1963 and was also called the Challenger V8. Bore was expanded to 4.00 in (101.6 mm), becoming the standard bore for most small block Ford engines. Stroke remained at 2.87 inches. The 289 weighed 506 lb (230 kg). In 1963, the two-barrel (2V) 289 replaced the 260 as the base V8 for full-sized Fords. It had 8.7:1 compression and was rated at 195 hp (145 kW) (SAE gross) at 4,400 rpm and 285 lb⋅ft (386 N⋅m) at 2,200 rpm. In 1964, an intermediate performance version of

13068-762: Was described as a 4-door coupé , a purely marketing term describing its fastback sedan arrangement, with fastback coupé-profiled bodywork and two doors on each side. The design reinterpreted the concept used in the 1992-1997 Infiniti J30/Nissan Leopard J Férié , which is not a true fastback. This marketing term was followed by other competing models, such as the Audi A7 and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, Volkswagen CC , Volkswagen Arteon , Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class , Aston Martin Rapide , and Porsche Panamera . Ford Windsor engine Designed as

13189-491: Was engineered to increase performance and high-rpm reliability over the standard 289. It had solid valve lifters with more aggressive cam timing; 10.5:1 compression; a dual point centrifugal advance distributor; smaller combustion chamber heads with cast spring cups and screw-in studs; low-restriction exhaust manifolds; and a bigger, manual-choke 595 CFM carburetor (105 CFM more than the standard 289-4V). The water pump had fewer vanes (to minimize high rpm foaming and cavitation),

13310-552: Was less successful, and was withdrawn after just three years. Its successor, the Cougar , was also built in the States but was only imported to Europe for two years after its 1998 launch. The smaller Puma , produced from 1997 to 2002, was more successful, but Ford did not replace it directly, instead launching faster versions of the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks soon after the Puma's demise. The Puma

13431-498: Was made on 19 December 1986 at the Ford factory in Cologne, 1,886,647 Capris had rolled off the production lines. The last Capri made (registered as D194 UVW) still exists today, and is owned by Ford's heritage workshop. The "Brooklands" models had a steep price tag of around £12,000 and struggled to sell. Sales continued through 1987 and 1988, with the last 280 being registered on 20 November 1989 (registration mark G749 NGP) making it also

13552-463: Was made standard equipment from 1973 on. An optional interior decor package, changed by name to the "Ghia" package for the Capri II, featured deluxe interior trim and features. 1973 Ford Capris were the Mk I face-lift models featuring the new grille, larger taillights and new interior and dash. The 1973 model had the federally mandated 2.5 mph front bumper for '73. The bumper was extended, the gap closed with

13673-481: Was marketed as the 3.0 RS even though it's wasn't ever an official RS like the 2600 or 3100. All were white with blue stripes and used standard 3.0 Engines, Only 100 of these were ever made, and 1980 was the last year for both the German RS and British X Pack. The next year the 3.0 engine option disappeared completely to give way for the new 2.8 Injection models. From July 1981 to September 1982, German RS dealers marketed

13794-499: Was mechanically similar to the Mark I, the Capri II had a revised, larger body and a more modern dashboard and a smaller steering wheel. The 2.0 L version of the Pinto engine was introduced in the European model and was placed below the 2.3 litre V6 and the 3.0 litre V6. The Capri still maintained the large rectangular headlights, which became the easiest way to distinguish between a Mark II and

13915-433: Was phased out end of May 1963 as a result of lackluster demand. About 371,000 had been produced. In the late 1970s, an urgent need to meet EPA CAFE standards led to the creation of the 255 cu in (4.2 L) version for the 1980 model year, essentially a 302 with the cylinder bores reduced to 3.68 in (93.5 mm). The 302 was to be phased out and the 255 was to be an interim engine which would remain until

14036-538: Was produced as Ford struggled with emissions and fuel economy. In response to the Chevrolet Camaro 's success in the SCCA Trans-Am Series , Ford engineers developed a new racing engine from the small block. The first attempt mated a tunnel-port head to a 289 cu in block, but the displacement proved to be too small to deliver the desired power. The next iteration of the engine mated an improved head design to

14157-478: Was raised fractionally to 8.8:1. The engine was slightly heavier than the 221, at 482 lb (219 kg). Rated power (still SAE gross) rose to 164 hp (122 kW) at 4400 rpm, with a peak torque of 258 lb⋅ft (350 N⋅m) at 2200 rpm. For the 1962 and 1963 car model years, the valve head diameters remained the same as the 221, but for the 1964 car model year, they were enlarged to 1.67 in (42.4 mm) (intake) and 1.45 in (36.8 mm) (exhaust) – this

14278-631: Was the bigger seller of the two V6-engined models. In Germany, the "S" models were by far the most popular equipment level (across all engines), representing 63 percent of Capri sales there. Ford began to focus their attention on the UK Capri market as sales declined elsewhere, realising the car had something of a cult following there. Unlike sales of the contemporary four-door Cortina , Capri sales in Britain were mostly to private buyers who would demand fewer discounts than fleet buyers, allowing for higher margins on

14399-446: Was the first post-war Japanese fastback, and the 1958 Subaru 360 was the first kei fastback. The Prince Skyline 1900 Sprint was developed by Prince Motor Company in 1963, but was never marketed. Afterwards, all Japanese automakers adopted the fastback style, with the 1967 Honda N360 , 1968 Nissan Sunny Coupe, 1968 Mazda Familia Rotary Coupe, 1970 Suzuki Fronte "Sting Ray Look" , and 1971 Daihatsu Fellow Max . From

14520-516: Was the last coupe that Ford has produced for the European market until the American built Mustang was introduced in both right and left hand drive and sold in both Europe and the UK. For the 1982 model year, the Essex 3.0 V6 powerplant which had been the range topper since September 1969 was dropped, mainly because of ever more strict emissions regulations, that Ford knew the old Essex V6 design could not meet,

14641-455: Was the most common engine, as it was assembled locally – the Pinto "four" was not installed. The 1600 four and three-litre V6 were also available. Fastback A fastback is an automotive styling feature , defined by the rear of the car having a single slope from the roof to the tail. The kammback is not a fastback design with a roofline that tapers downward toward the car's rear before being cut off abruptly. Some models, such as

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