Capri - The Death Of An Automotive Icon

Steve509926 · 17 February 2025, 12:29

Those of a certain age will recall how iconic the Capri was during the 70S and 80s. I had two of them. The first was a MKI 1.6, White with the obligatory red stripe down the side. The second was a MKII 3.0 Ghia Auto, metallic chocolate brown, beige vinyl roof, beige leather interior (plastic!), jacked 2" at the rear. I loved both cars, but especially the 3.0 Ghia, I thought I was the Dogs Bollocks at the time.

So imagine my horror this morning when I saw a big, ugly, bright yellow SUV on my younger neighbours drive with the word C A P R I emblazoned on he back. My neighbour came out when he saw me looking at it " Bet that takes you back a bit", no it doesn't! Each to their own but its as ugly as sin and doesn't deserve the name Capri to be on the back of it.

Why couldn't Ford call it something else - Corfu, Faliraki anything but Capri!

Fenlander · 17 February 2025, 13:46

I'm with you on this but I guess it only matters to those of us in our more senior years.

Like you I went through the Capri phase when I was about 22. It was a modest 1600ohc model but a minter and looked great in that yellow with black vinyl roof plus the Hella driving lamps I added after that image was taken. So typical of its era. Mum had a bright orange Mk.2 2.0 GT (or perhaps an S, four headlamps and high back seats etc) also a few years later and that was a really nice motor.

In the background was Mrs F's first car after being a biker for a few years, a purple 1500 Mk.1 Cortina with no more than slightly wide wheels and a leather sports steering wheel added.

We had a good amount of interesting cars during that period, many being well thought of classics now. Fun days back then.

Steve509926 · 17 February 2025, 14:42

Nice looking Capri David. I loved the Daytona yellow colour at the time, it's perhaps a little to ostentatious for my tastes now.

scrambler · 17 February 2025, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

So imagine my horror this morning when I saw a big, ugly, bright yellow SUV on my younger neighbours drive with the word C A P R I emblazoned on he back.

Black 2.0S myself. Sheep in wolf's clothing!

Steve509926 · 17 February 2025, 19:43

The 3.0 litre V6 was IMO, a great engine which could be tuned pretty easily to get the most out of it. Such a shame that the auto box was rubbish on acceleration it was a good cruiser though. I'm sure the auto was only 3 speed, I know some people stripped them out and replaced them with a 5 speed manual box, I never got the chance to do that. I met Diane and it was either her or the car, couldn't afford both at the time.

willk · 17 February 2025, 20:54

*sniffs*

What is that? Burnt oil and dangly vanilla Christmas Trees?

or Mothballs & Wintergreen liniment?

Steve509926 · 17 February 2025, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Mothballs & Wintergreen liniment?

I'm a modern man, I use Voltarol !

Fenlander · 17 February 2025, 22:18

>>>The 3.0 litre V6 was IMO, a great engine...

Yes in some was I felt it was a better drive than the later 2.8, I drove them both in the Granada body so tugging some bulk. Got to know the 2.8 V6 engine very well having bought a lovely Ghia from a deceased farming estate for peanuts but where the guy didn't believe in oil changes, grade or quality so that was a full rebuild.

BTW it was Feu Orange for me.

9D280 · 19 March 2025, 22:42

I'll deviate slightly and say same thing re. the Puma....

Back to the subject at hand!

beamishken · 20 March 2025, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>The 3.0 litre V6 was IMO, a great engine...

Yes in some was I felt it was a better drive than the later 2.8, I drove them both in the Granada body so tugging some bulk. Got to know the 2.8 V6 engine very well having bought a lovely Ghia from a deceased farming estate for peanuts but where the guy didn't believe in oil changes, grade or quality so that was a full rebuild.

BTW it was Feu Orange for me.

The 3.0 Essex v6 was the better engine but it was a uk designed engine & ford europe wanted to standardize their European operations so decided to stick with the 2.8 cologne engine which iirc was an industrial engine with only 2 siamised exhaust ports either side of the head where the essex engine had 3 which meant better gas flow. Obviously as time went on the 2.8 got revamped & improved after it completely replaced the 3.0 but the original versions the 3.0 was the better engine.
I had one of the latest 3.0s versions before the 2.8I came out previously had several 1.6 & 2.0 versions, great fun in their day, no idea why the mk 1 & 2 escorts now make substantially more money when restored.

Fenlander · 20 March 2025, 12:07

>>>no idea why the mk 1 & 2 escorts now make substantially more money when restored.

Several factors I reckon.

There is no doubt the simplicity of a 1300/1600 Escort plus their smaller size and lower weight make them a more attractive proposition for those with an average domestic garage and facilities.

Also many of the "collectibles" prices across so many areas are driven by the retirement/pre-retirement market remembering back to their youth. This is true of cars, motorbikes, chopper bikes, hi-fi, 60/70s vinyl LPs and so many other items. Get the kids away from home, mortgage paid off and look around for an interest that takes you back a bit. Such folks now are the ones who might have enjoyed huge fun with their Escort during teens/early twenties but on average those that owned the Granada's were usually older back then so either not with us now or not feeling like messing with a lump of an old car.

We were an exception to the rule in our early 20s running Granada's, Renault 30, Citroen CX, Rover P6 3500, Triumph 2000 and similar but I have to admit were we to have a classic car now I'd be attracted to something in the Escort class for the easy ownership/maintenance experience. Perhaps something even older as they are far better value these days.

If we are still fit enough to SIB for another 5yrs I do wonder if a dignified withdrawal from small craft boating might be best before health intrudes and then I would think of turning to a classic car to look after.

willk · 20 March 2025, 15:22

I have to confess that I didn't look at the offending item the thread was named for. It was a bit disingenuous of Ford to name an EV crossover after an aspirational motor like the Capri. The current car is actually largely a VW, built on the same 'MEB' platform as multiple VW, Audi, Skoda, Cupra models, and the Ford Explorer EV. I drive one of these myself and it's good enough for what it is - but it ain't no 1980s Ford Capri!

Fenlander · 20 March 2025, 15:31

>>>an aspirational motor like the Capri

Yes indeed... the length of that bonnet and a power bulge too... what more could any guy from reckless lads to sporty Execs want?

Steve509926 · 20 March 2025, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>an aspirational motor like the Capri

Yes indeed... the length of that bonnet and a power bulge too... what more could any guy from reckless lads to sporty Execs want?

It was that power bulge that attracted Diane!

Steve509926 · 20 March 2025, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

If we are still fit enough to SIB for another 5yrs I do wonder if a dignified withdrawal from small craft boating might be best before health intrudes and then I would think of turning to a classic car to look after.

Saw lovely classic today, don't know how I'd get it back home though?

Fenlander · 20 March 2025, 18:41

The Porsche or VW? I had an early 1960s version of that VW Variant, with the single large headlamps. It was hewn from solid in a time many British cars were made of cheese.