This 1974 Mercury Capri is somewhere between a driver and survivor-grade example, displaying qualities of both as presented on eBay. The Capri was Ford’s “captive import” from Europe, offering Lincoln-Mercury shoppers a smaller, sportier alternative than what was being sold on dealer lots at that time. Of course, the one to get was a Capri equipped with the sonorous Cologne V6, which has found a home in some of Britain’s most iconic sports cars in addition to models like the Capri and the Ford Taunus. This example here on eBay has one spot of bad rust and a previous repaint but otherwise looks very complete. Bidding is at $7,200 with no reserve.
I’ve lusted after any Ford product with the Cologne engine for years. I went so far as to chase a Taunus wagon that’s been rotting in a Pennsylvania junkyard for years, but it never went anywhere. It makes such a great noise, and oftentimes while under the hood of cars that don’t look particularly exotic. In addition to the Capri, TVR made use of the Cologne’s many virtues, installing it in models like the Tasmin, that crazy light wedge-shaped drop top that moved out plenty well with the beefy V6 under the hood. As you can see, the Capri used to be yellow before getting a repaint in brown with a black hood.
The interior is definitely a high point, despite the driver’s seat needing some work. The dash has some cracks, and the carpet is discolored, but it could be worse. The automatic wouldn’t be my first choice in the athletic Capri, especially with the more powerful engine, but it’s also not surprising considering these were sold alongside Lincolns and Mercurys. The Capri looks very original inside and out, retaining what looks like an original radio and fake woodgrain trim around the instrument binnacle. The seller says the headliner is sound and all gauges work.
The body is far from perfect, and the repaint is a bummer. The original yellow finish had to give off a very groovy 70s vibe when this Capri rolled off the lot, but someone really wanted a brown coupe given even the wheel centers were painted to match. The Capri retains its old-school California blue plates and vintage dealer plate frame, and aside from the repaint, doesn’t appear to have changed much since 1974. Bidding is far stronger than I would expect, as the Capri has a limited niche following here in the U.S. – but plenty of Ford enthusiasts like these cars overseas, so this one may not be stateside much longer depending on who’s bidding.
Gaaakkk, here’s an image I could have done without waking up too. That’s not entirely true. I had a similar ’73, only a 4 speed. I bought it, I thought, as a replacement for my tiring MGB, but was quickly disappointed. I liked the car, it’s why I bought it, but many shortcomings surfaced early on for a 2 year old car. V6 started using coolant,( 1st of the “tissue paper” head gaskets) oddly spaced gears( it sorely needed a 5 speed), no back seat room, lousy heater, limited trunk opening( needed a hatch) and downright dangerous in the winter. The Capri ll addressed all those issues, despite lack of dealer help, and by then, Asian cars were a much better deal. With as many that were sold,( over half a million) not many remain. Clearly the reason for the wild price, as they really were poor cars.
Pretty funny how you take your own opinion which in nature is very limited and episodical as some sort of “fact”
This price is not “wild” but quite low actually, these bring 20grand easily in Europe with the 2600RS clones bringing 40grand. Transport from cali to the UK or Germany cant be more than 3g.
Journalists disagree as well:
“Contemporary motoring journalists noted that, even though the Capri was priced to compete with the BMW 323i or Alfa Romeo Alfetta 2000 GTV of the day, its engine was larger, it was cheaper to maintain, it offered a more refined drive and it was faster.”
I have never owned one but it would be an awesome addition to my datsun 280
Wait, you’re telling me MY opinion is limited, yet you have never owned one? Look pal, I don’t BS, I tell it like it is from experience, not some journalist review. My points on this particular car are all valid, and $20g’s in my book, buys a heck of a lot nicer car,,indeed.
I had a 73 4 cyl. 4 speed that I bought for a winter beater in Michigan when I put my TR 250 up for the winter back in the late 70’s. It was a great winter car. If it would get stuck you just put it in 1st, get out and rock it out of the snow bank and jump in as it starts to pull away. It finally died though after it lost a rear oil seal and the rod bearings started knocking.
Yes in deed. They looked right but my friend waited til the Granada came out. Better choice. He had MGs that would pull away from the Capri V6 that even with the larger displacement engine was just gutless due to emissions laws, low compression etc. The MG was a fun but the constant maintenance on them was like the English Triumph, BSA, Norton keep everything tightened upkeep. The Capri was slightly better than the (gulp) Chevy Vega
Greetings All,
A friend of mine had one a V6 with a 5-speed. He had to keep reminding me to grab another gear.
I thought they had 2 versions of the V6 a 2.6 and a 2.8, i coukd be wrong.
When I was wotking in the UK, someone had one with “the big engine”. It was a 4 smaller than the one they offered in the States, but one BIG difference…….no smog/emissions.
The car handled well and while not overly quick, more than respectable, that V6 beat most.
There was also a 2.3 V6, basically a short stroke version of the 2.6. Not to be confused with the 2.30 four cylinder ‘Pinto’ motor.
I had a 1972 and it seemed like repairs were constant. The parts on the interior of the car were made of cheap plastic that didn’t always remain intact and an engine had to be replaced just a few years down the road.
My dad bought a 76 Capri new. Had a manual and it was black with the V6 too. Not fast car by any means, but was reliable and economical. Ironically a neighbor who bought a new Honda at the same time, lost his car to rust by 79. The whole engine bay, and rear supports had rusted and the car essentially collapsed. He bought some kind of Toyota in 79 or 80 and the same thing happened in 83 with rust. We had that Capri until 85. We sold it and got a Fox body based Capri with a V8. Wow, that was a great car. A cousin took the Capri to Florida and we never saw it again
My now-wife had one while we were dating, a 1971 4-cylinder automatic. She had it for about three years in the 70’s and it did fine. I seriously wanted one too, specifically a 1973 with the V-6 and manual transmission. But it wasn’t to be.
I haven’t seen a Capri in good condition in the flesh in …. decades.
Jeff – if you’re lusting after a Cologne V6, the easiest way to get one might be to get a pre-’86 Ranger or Bronco II – they had the 2.8 liter versions. My only experiences with Capris were in the early 80s when a friend had one for a short while. The car was probably under 10 years old at that point and had already been repainted…with a paint brush.
I believe my 1995 Explorer also had the Cologne V6. Drove it for 16 years.
I regret getting rid of my 74 V6 4 speed That I bought new. Well made, fun to drive.
A friend of mine was selling his ’76 Capri recently (don’t know if he sold it) and was in a lot better shape and cheaper than this one.
I had a ’72 with the 4 cylinder and an automatic in high school. Color was fire engine red, black vinyl top and interior, and no a/c. It was HOT in the summer. It burned more oil than gas, lol! I drive it about 6 months and we traded it for a ’77 Datsun 200sxm 5 speed and a/c. In the Mid-South you have got to have a/c due to humidity.
In 74 you got the 2.8 through 73 you got the 2.6 a much better motor.At least this owner removed the 74 porno bumpers…looks much better.Like the RS treatment to the bonnet/hood.
A while back,I was walking around our neighborhood.
I noticed a car under a cover,that looked like something inter-
esting.A few weeks later,I saw a wheel exposed,& thought –
“That’s a Capri!”.
I met the owner, George,who told me that it was a 1972
2000,4 speed,that he bought new.He also told me that he was
interested in selling it.
It needs some work,& has some rust,but the interior is in
great shape.He was asking $3000 for it,but I think that he’d take
less for it.
I’d be interested,but I don’t need any more cars,as I already
have a ’67 MGB GT,a ’74 cb Midget,& a 1997 Miata.
The Capri is in Roanoke,VA.
Hey angliaGT,
Can you get me some contact information on your neighbor’s car?
Joe
717-343-1640
anspach@prodigy.net
I know bidding is over 7K right now, but it seems high to me for a beat up car with an automatic.
The 2.8 Cologne V-6 in the Capri was excellent as was the Capri itself… It became the Mercury competitor to the Mustang II and shared little. In 1974 the two began to share engine lines. The Capri gained the durable but slow “Lima 4” and Mustang offered the 2.8 V6 (No V8 Mustang in 1974).
The 2.8 was a very popular offering in the Fox body Mustang/Capri in ’79. They even put 2.8 badges on early models like the well known 5.0 ones on the fenders. They could not fulfill the V-6 orders and it was replaced with the old 200/3.3 inline six prior to 1980. Debatable whether it was because of production or smogging issues. The Cologne appeared again in later ’80s Ranger trucks though…
To be clear, the 2.8 of this vintage did make a lot of heat and use oil as it was driven by timing gears. No chain/belt. The 2.9 in the ’80s ranger trucks were similar but chain driven. The later 3.0 versions bore little similarity. All were good engines regardless.
I bought a Capri II (2800 4-speed) new in ’76. I kept it until 1985 – it was a good car and I enjoyed it for its great combination of sportiness and utility. I made some suspension/wheel/exhaust mods and both autocrossed it and used it in TSD rallies. The hatch held an amazing amount of whatever I was transporting and good winter tires solved the snow/ice issues. After 9 years and a couple of accidents, it needed some rust repair and an all-over paint job. While I was considering whether or not to sink the $$ into it, one of my friends (who had owned a couple of Capris…) made me a trade offer that I just couldn’t refuse. I came out a winner on that one, but I still miss the little Capri. If I ever ran across a solid project car from the Southwest, I’d probably consider it. A bit of fabricating and some serious $$ might just allow an aluminum crate SBF to reside up front…
Around 1972, in South Africa, they built 100+ of them with the 302 SBF already fitted. With the blessing of Ford SA.
They were very successful on the race track.
If you want more info Google Ford Capri Perana.
Bought a ‘74 4 cylinder one (the only car I bought brand new until I bought my ‘14 Dodge Charger!) One night I got it up to 100 mph, but had to back off ‘cause the handling got squirrelly! Had it stolen from in front of my parents’ home, driven to NC and torched. My insurance company paid off the loan and gave me $1000; bought a ‘65 Cadillac with the money. Had the Caddy during the’79 fuel crisis – not the best mpg car to have then.
Nearly 20 years ago I bought one of the earliest Cobra replicas to be built in England – 1977 – because I wanted a “Cobra” that was RHD, looked like a real car (no chrome sidepipes, stripes and ridiculously wide tires and wheels). The final factor that won me over to my car was the Cologne V6 and T9 five-speed.
Having driven 10%of the entire 427Cobra full competition cars built, I most definitely did not want a dangerously over-powered car for my own use.
I have never regretted buying my Cologne powered Cobra. I have put nearly 100,000 miles on it. I have done track days, Rally’s, more than once I have driven it from Portland to L.A. in a single day. Once revved over 3500 rpm it has the most exotic exhaust howl – on straight pipes (under the car) it sounds like a classic V12 Ferrari! So, I like my Cologne V6!
Bought a ’73 Capri 2.0L 4spd new as my first car in high school. Forest green with black interior. Meanwhile, several family members bought ’74’s with the V6. They drove like sports cars compared to mine. Had to have a V6. In ’75 sold my ’73 for $500 less than I paid new and bought a new ’76 Capri II Ghia V6 4spd. LOVED that car although the paint was bad from the start and it went through water pumps about once a year. Owned it until ’84 when I sold it for a new Toyota Cressida. Have been looking for a primo Capri for years. This one is a bit rough. Sad that they repainted it brown vs. the yellow…
Sold last night for $7200. SMH They didn’t go to much trouble repainting that engine bay. Looks like the car may have started out as a yellow Capri. Good luck to the new owner. Do they make new interior kits for this year Capri?
Had a 74 with the V6 and four speed. Mine had a Weber carb, headers and dual exhausts. Fun, rowdy, and raucous!
That growl was intoxicating and the crudeness of the thing was sublime.
The souless, silent electric car is coming but I don’t have to like it.
I drove the piss out a 4 speed 1974 that was a High School friens car that was tossed after the clutch went out. With a new clutch and running some 100LL frpm the airport where I worked it ran hard. Also was told you couldn’t run the 100LL but I did for a year or better until I traded it off. It was a lot cheaper to run instead of the 440 4 speeds (RR and a GTX) that were also in the drive way. Great beater I always thought……maybe a picture somewhere.
These cars were never really my cup of tea!! In my opinion it was just a step up from the pinto!!!
So which didn’t you have, the Pinto or the Capri? I cannot imagine anyone familiar with both making such a statement.
This writer got his countries WRONG! Cologne (KOLN inGerman) has nothing to do with Britain! Any Ford-Europe, the preferred V-6 at that time was the Cologne-German was far better than Ford UK V-6. I used to own a ’76 CapriII also with a Cologne 2.8 V6 and auto trans. It was a good car and worked fine until it rusted out by 1987! Too bad Ford hasn’t come up with anything comparable to the old Capri/CapriII even though they did tried o revive the Capri name with a 2-seater convertible that was made in Australia.