Ford’s Everyman Coupe Classic

The Ford Capri was produced to replicate the success Ford had with the Mustang but in Europe. A sleek fastback GT car, with a variety of engine choices to help make the Capri affordable for a anyone and everyone.

The MKI Ford Capri was built from 1969-1974 and depending on your budget, you could option your Capri with an engine as small as a 1.3 and as big as 3.1 litres as found in the homologation special RS3100 Capri.

The MKI Capri was an incredibly popular car on and off the circuit, the RS3100 Capri was built and homologated to race in the Group 2 over-three litre class in 1974.

After 1.2 Million MKI Capris sold and with the oil crisis of 1973 looming over their heads, Ford were keen to make the next generation of Capri, the MKII, more suited for every driving. They equipped the MKII with a shorter bonnet, larger cabin and adopted a hatchback design. Once again Ford offered the everyman GT car with a variety of engines including the famed 2.0L Pinto engine alongside a 3.0L Essex V6.

In 1978 Ford Launched the MKIII Capri and although not a huge departure from the styling of the MKII model it brought with it a whole host of new opportunities. The MKII & MKII Capri were both featured in the popular television series, the Professionals. Bodie & Doyle both drove 3.0S MKIII Capri models.

In 1982 Ford Launched the 2.8 Injection Capri models, they featured a full injected version of the Cologne V6 and produced a claimed 158bhp. Up until this point, the capri had been available across Europe but in November 1984 Ford pulled the plug on Capri sales on the continent, leaving cars only to be produced for the UK in a right-hand drive market.

This production cut made Ford simplify their offering, cleaning up the range to offer a 1.6 & 2.0 Laser model. These offered better options including a leather steering wheel, four spoke alloy wheels and more gauges than you could know what to do with.

Sadly, in 1986 Ford ended production of the Capri entirely with its final run of cars being the ‘280’ supplied in Brooklands Green with 15-inch alloy wheels, a fuel injected 2.8L Essex V6, Limited Slip Differential and full Recaro leather interior.

When the last Capri rolled off the production line in December of 1986, 1,886,647 Capris had been built. Interest in the Capri was so poor that it would take until November 1989 for the last of the Capri 280s to be registered.

The last Capri ever built, D194 UVW is still in existence and is owned by Ford’s Heritage Workshop.