When’s a Mustang not a Mustang? When it’s a badge-engineered Mercury Capri RS like this 1985 example. The same car as a Mustang GT? Pretty much though there are some styling differences. This example’s strength is its low mileage and like-new condition – it has all of the Mustang GT’s performance guts without the ubiquitousness of being the way more commonly found Mustang. This sharp-looking hatch is located in Pinole, California and is available, here on craigslist for $22,500. Thanks to Pat L. for this nice find!
The Capri name has been a nomadic moniker for Mercury over the years – and that’s not including either Lincoln or Ford of Europe’s somewhat confusing use of the model name. For the sake of Mercury, there were three distinct Capri generations. The first was an imported German version (’70-’77) that was sold by Lincoln-Mercury dealers, the ’79-’86 Fox-body version such as our sale example, and the final Australian derived FWD variant (’91-’94). To put things into perspective, 1985 Ford Mustang sales amounted to approx. 156K copies while cousin Capri saw only 18K units or 11.8% of the Blue Oval’s sales.
I debated about calling this car a survivor but the seller mentions that it is, “mostly original from my understanding it had some touch-ups from oxidation“. So close, but maybe not quite there. Regardless, as stated at the outset, this Carfax documented 25K mile RS hatchback really presents well. The finish, helped along or not, is still deep, the gray plastic cladding is not faded and the chin spoiler hasn’t had a bite taken out of it by an errant parking space stop. The seller does mention, however, “There are currently some minor bubbles underneath the rear windshield“.
Two in a row for me with sellers not revealing an engine image, which in this case is a 210 net HP, 5.0 liter (302 CI) V8, tethered to a five-speed manual transmission. The seller does add, however, “Healthy 5.0 H.O engine, good clutch, the car drives and feels like new“. Great, glad to hear it but I’d still like to spy a glimpse of it.
The interior shows as well as the exterior, and why not with such low mileage and obvious proper care. The two-tone fabric seats, the carpet, upholstery panels, console, all present like new. The only foible is a disintegrating dash pad that is displayed for photographic purposes but is covered over by a fabric dash cover. A seemingly small item but it seems incongruous considering the rest of the interior’s state of condition. Of note, working A/C is in place and this Capri’s is still in possession of an 85 MPH “Federal” speedometer even though that requirement was eliminated by NHTSA with the ’83 model year.
Like it? You bet! I’m not really a Ford guy but I have always been down with Fox bodies and actually owned one for a spell. This Capri RS is a nice jog away from the everywhere-found Mustang, wouldn’t you agree?
I like the rear end treatment better here than on the Mustang, but the Mustang’s front fascia looks better.
I remain mystified why Ford didn’t transfer these handsome boxflared fenders to the Mustang for ’87, since they were axing the Capri and giving the Mustang a major facelift that year anyway.
For that matter, they probably should have axed the Capri for ’84, rather than giving it the bubble-back hatch, and used that name instead of Merkur for the imported Ford Sierra they started selling at Lincoln-Mercury dealers that year.
The bubbleback hatch would look really good with the ”87 up Mustang taillights that slightly curve outward viewed in profile. 90% of the discordance of this Capri to me is the way the bumper tries to continue the line of the bubble with no help whatsoever from the fussily ribbed, deeply recessed taillights.
Great looking machine w 302 and manual. Guaranteed not to dissapoint. 👍
Better than a dime a 5 dozen Mustang. Always like these.
The 91-94 were complete junk. Based on a Japanese Mazda platform, it was full of problems and Ford practically had to give them away.
The 91 – 94 Capri was based off of a Mazda? I seem to recall something about it being based off an Aussie – only model.
This isn’t the Mazda-based one as I believe you’re thinking of that horrible Ford Probe that was based off the Mazda 626 platform when Ford owned a chunk of Mazda. Probe was ugly, no performance, and if memory serves Ford considered calling the Ford version a Mustang at one point.
The ’91-94 Capri was built in Oz and based on Mazda 323 mechanicals — or more directly, derived from the Aussie-market Ford Laser which was also sold here as the Mercury Tracer and itself based on the 323.
Had a brand new 79 Capri RS…worst new car I have ever owned! Came with 28 things wrong with it, including being an RS on the driver’s side and a base model on the passenger side! Traded it in for a Toyota!
These Fox Capris are much nicer looking than the same year’s Mustangs and are much rarer and reasonably valued. IMHO
Buy this and be the only one in the show. Buy a 5.0 Mustang and be one of many.
Great Craigslist ad, too. Maximum pictures and shows us the faults, lengthy description, CarFax included.
https://siglersautocenter.com/collections/classics/products/1985-mercury-capri-3dr
4k Original Miles
Looks Brand New
@Simon – Here’s more info on how to get it featured on the site: https://barnfinds.com/sell/