2025 has been a good year for Fox bodies here on Barn Finds, as we’ve run across numerous fine survivors along with a few promising projects. The majority of these cars have been Mustangs, so it’s nice to find a Mercury counterpart that ticks so many of the right boxes, such as this 1985 Capri RS here on eBay. Although Fox platform production began simultaneously for both the Mustang and Capri in 1979, the latter ceased after 1986, while the Mustang continued until 1993. With considerably fewer produced, the Capri appears less frequently in the marketplace. This one’s original and was kept by the original owners for nearly 40 years, so if you’re ready to get behind the wheel of a well-preserved example, it’s probably worth a close look. The Capri is located in Canton, Georgia, and priced at $26,890.
Although this car now resides in the Peach State, it was originally purchased in California, where it spent much of its life until the original owners just recently let it go. The RS model includes a front air dam with fog lights, which makes the body look extra sporty from this angle, with another great feature here being the T-Tops. The Charcoal color works well, and I’m not spotting any obvious issues anywhere with the finish or sheet metal. Knowing the history and level of care this one’s received should add some comfort and peace of mind for potential buyers, and I’m guessing it probably won’t take long for this Capri to find a new home.
An excellent engine and transmission combo is also present, with a 302 V8 under the hood and a 5-speed manual transmission. The seller states that this one remains unmodified, calling it bone stock, so it’s a treat to find a Fox-era Capri that hasn’t been tampered with or abused. Another factor worth considering is the relatively low mileage, with the 82,000 on the odometer reported as actual. It’s also mentioned that about $3k of service has just been performed, so hopefully there’s still some good and reliable life left before any more major mechanical work will be required.
Just about everything inside is as nicely preserved as the exterior, and it’s unusual to find that even the original Stereo with a cassette player is still in place. A couple of photos showing the dash without a cover are also provided, which reveal that the top side appears to be free from cracks. In addition to the glass roof panels, a few other desirable options are present, including power windows, door locks, and a tilt wheel. This one seems like a fun driver, and it’ll be a good conversation starter for the future owner when admirers inevitably call this a Mustang. Any thoughts to share regarding this 1985 Mercury Capri RS?
I love these years of the Capri. The flared fenders, the ‘normal’ shape of the front side marker lights (unlike the Mustangs), the pinstriped taillights, except for that green house rear glass, gets hot back there. I had a 1983 Capri RS, 5.0 4-barrel 4-speed, blue and blue in the 90s. That was a fine car until it got t-boned in the passenger rear quarter. Sold it for parts for $800. I’ve always wanted another one, but at $27,000, I’ll keep looking. GLWTS
I remain perpetually mystified why Ford didn’t transfer these handsome boxflared fenders to the Mustang for its ’87 facelift, since they were canceling the Capri at the same time anyway.
Probably because the Mustang was outselling the Capri by roughly 10 to 1 had something to do with it. In 1985 Ford produced 185,986 Mustangs versus 18,213 Mercury Capris.
Steve R
I agree. The flared fenders always looked better to me than the Mustang’s. While Steve R’s numbers may be correct, I would bet the sales numbers had far more to do with the make & model than the fenders. More folks wanted to say “I drive a Mustang”. I seriously doubt adding the flared fenders to the Mustang would have killed its sales, but it probably wouldn’t have boosted them either. A lot more people just would have had the better looking fenders, IMO.
The Fox Capri has some interesting and cool features. This one looks to be in very good shape. Clean underhood and interior. Marti Report, always a good document for a unique car (though it is difficult to read). Not cheap.
A few comments about the seller. I think we have seen them before. Tons of pics, which is great. They promote the car as being one owner, which I assume does not count themselves. The website verbiage is…. one small-print, seventeen-line paragraph. Which means it has something like 700 words (no I didn’t count, I estimated). Which means it is very hard to read. Maybe I could offer to rewrite it for them for, let’s say, a 2% commission (ha).
Go for 3% Bob… you’re a good writer!
Bob, I read ( glanced) at that ad. It was actually kind of hard to read. I gave up. What if we all chip in and pay you the 3% to re write that ad lol. They actually have good information in it. I would have photographed the Marti report outside of the clear plastic folder so there wouldn’t be a glare. But again, very nice Capri.
This looks like one super clean Capri. I always thought they look great. And still do. Ford did a nice job making subtle changes to the Fox Mustang with these. Heck, back then if I were in the market I would’ve coughed up the extra cash for one just because they’re a little more unique.
Personally, after seeing how much Bob-In-TN knows about these, I think they should pay him 4% to re write the ad. He’d do this clean Capri justice for sure. This is one amazing clean Capri great find and a really nice write up too Mike, I enjoyed it.
Sounds like a golden entrepreneurial opportunity for Bob! And yes, I also struggled with the eBay ad. It is full of good and informative information, but it was somewhat hard to follow. What helped me the most was to highlight the sections of the text I was focusing on at different times.
I’d love to see a deluxe Marti report on this car. eBay ad states one of 1,342 but that’s just Capri with T-Tops. When you look at paint and trim, it’s one of 595. The deluxe report would break it down further and I’m sure it would be a very low number even without nitpicking over some of the minor options that doesn’t make any significant difference.
Last year for the 4 barrel Holley carb from the factory in 85 and even with California emissions, I’d still love to have and drive it. It’s definitely out of my range and pricey, but there’s just so few of these made to start with, the survival numbers are low, especially in practically all original condition, I don’t foresee examples like this getting any cheaper.
As mentioned in another comment, Ford sold approximately 10 Mustangs to every one Mercury Capri. No doubt a main reason they discontinued them after 86, but it would have been nice to see them continue that line, at least through the styling refresh of 87-93.
So a flip from California to Georgia
we’ve been sellin any of these models pretty well as long as we could get them (10 years?). The demographic is still in, beginning to fade. But I’ll ‘fade’ B4 the next ‘big thing’ comes in (buy cheep/sell hi w/some wrenchin-in-between).
We get junk w/good chassy/body & often use suv 5 oh & T-5 to up the sales appeal. TX, SC has wrked out best for near a decade. I like it, asa ford guy, & the 30 yrs younger kids are into them. Asa ol guy I dont think I’ll B workin on the areo (‘94+) as hobby/income like the fox or 1st gen. They’n the aero appeal to me, not these gap years (altho I daily a fox wagon). Again, no room for this class @ garage~
I always thought that the “more rounded” rear of the Capri matched the ’87&up Mustang front. Come to find out. Some of the Mexican Mustangs were that way. I’ve had 2 Capris and a handful of Mustangs (all Fox bodies) I’m not a fan of the front end of the Capri, but still like it because it’s different from all the Mustangs.
Some interesting reading in the Mexico section of the wiki article for the 3rd-gen Mustang, seems they alternated mix-n-matching Mustang and Capri bits every couple years there, even had a coupe (not hatch!) version of the SVO for ’84.
One of the great front-ends to leave the factory.
Dad bought ’84 Capri RS, but it had the 2.8L V6 instead of the V8, and four-speed manual overdrive transmission, basically a three-speed with an overdrive fourth gear. The car always seemed to ride nose high, until we swapped out the V6 for a 302 V8 (long story). The four-speed overdrive transmission never seemed to be in the right gear, it was either screaming along at 4000 rpm in third gear around town or lugging the engine just off of idle at 1200 rpm in fourth gear. The car cried out for a five-speed gearbox, which it got in the next model year (1985). Dad’s car had a sunroof instead of the T-Tops, and was black with orange and yellow racing stripes that came with the RS package.
The car had some issues besides the spring rates and tranny, most of which were related to the car being a dealer demonstrator. Dad sold it for $3000, which became my college graduation present, the downpayment on my first new car, a 1985 VW Jetta GLI. Dad replaced the Capri with a brand new Audi 5000 Turbo!
Slight correction on my part. The car was a ’79, bought in 1980. We sold it in 1985.
I always liked the Capri 4-eye nose compared to Mustang 4-eye nose, the stand up design just looks meaner. But never cared as much for the rear or hatch. Regardless, shout out for the dual snorkel 5.0 HO air cleaner available in both brands, baddest of the bad in the day.
I turned 16 in 1987 when I bought a ’79 Capri with the anemic 5.0 auto. That was easily remedied with a Holley 600 and dual exhaust using the original cast manifolds. Got me in just enough trouble along with ridiculous insurance rates, that 2 years later I traded it straight up for an ’81 Capri T-top with the 2.3 I-4. I’ve always owned at least one Fox body car since. I still drive an ’89 LX 5.0 5 spd. convertible I bought in 1994. Would still prefer a Capri, my favorite being the 1982 RS, the year before the bubble back hatch. Yes the ’82 was only a 2bbl HO with 4 speed manual only, but I’d be fine with it. Love the one featured here, but it’s 10k too much. I suspect readers here will find the ebay link good for some time.
I strongly prefer these over the Mustang, just such a fantastic-looking automobile.
This dealership is about an hour away from me. They seem to have nice stuff, but it is always overpriced. Even if you talked them down by several thousand, you are still overpaying.
You are better off using the many internet search tools available and shopping for a better deal.
While I am not slamming this car, I can only speak to my experience. Back in the mid 90s I had a 83 ‘stang. base model, 3.? v6/auto. Fine get around town car. Ok on gas, ok pickup. A fine “appliance” car. At the same point in time my parents had a 85 Capri. More or less the same car. The Capri was a D O G. burned gas, slow has….well slow. The ‘stang was fine to drive, the Capri…. well just sucked. After my parents passed on, I ended up trading the Capri for a surf board.
Belindats, you probably had the 3.8 V6 (the next step down from the V8. And your parents had the 200 Straight 6 cylinder. I’ve had every issue of engine in a Fox body Mustang. And the straight 6cyl. is just a dog. Add a C4 transmission and possibly the flat land 2.72 rear gears and the car never had a chance to even get up on cam. I drove a few 5.0 automatic Mustangs with 2.72 gears also and they were equally doggy.
to think i paid 11,600.00 for mine new in 1985