Initially, in 1970, the Capri was a European import that gave Mercury an entry into the sport compact market. But they shifted gears in 1979 and the Capri became a pony car based on the Ford Mustang Fox-body platform and that association would continue through 1986. The seller’s ‘86 Capri looks to be a nice survivor and a turn-key car that you could get in and go anywhere. When not in use, it stays in a garage in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania and it’s available here on eBay where the no reserve auction has had only one bid of $7,000.
In technically its second-generation (and the first produced in the U.S.), the Mercury Capri was a Ford Mustang, which a few exceptions. Those differences were that the Capri was only offered as a 3-door hatchback, it had its own front fascia and a vertically mounted grille, came with and dark-tinted taillights with horizontally ribbed lenses. In addition, the wheel openings were styled with slightly less flaring and the fenders themselves were widened. The Capri was offered in up to four models, including the GS like the seller’s car.
Mercury built some 20,869 Capri’s in 1986, with 17,029 of them being the GS edition. 3,850 came with a 5-speed manual transmission, like the seller’s car. Another 2,980 GS models had the pop-up sunroof, and 2,859 Capri’s were painted Medium Red Metallic. So, the seller’s car could be one that was produced in hundreds of copies, not thousands. This ’86 GS with all those attributes has a reported 76,000 miles on the odometer and is a machine you could take to Cars & Coffee without having to do a thing to it.
We’re told the car is rust-free and we suspect the paint is original. Other than a few scratches on the passenger side right front fender, nothing glaring pops out in the photos provided. Everything looks in order including the areas of the interior we get to see. The seller mentions that the door and hatch seals have all been replaced, perhaps due to cracking and leaking after 35 years of service. A tag under the hood says the air conditioning has been converted to R134a.
We didn’t find solid resale value figures for the 1986 Capri online, but a Mustang of the same year, engine, transmission and number of doors tops out at between $8-12,000 according to Hagerty. So, these look to be reasonably affordable pony cars if you are looking for something for the weekend. Or even a daily driver.
Looks pretty good. Not much different than the Mustang, but the various styling tweaks came across well, in my opinion. 5.0 5-speed makes it a fun runner. Another good chance to get into the Fox Body part of the hobby, perhaps for not too much money.
Never cared for the “square box” front end aero details on this one. To me, it looks as though the designers said “how can we make this different from the Mustang?” and proceeded to use only straight edges. Everything else looks okay! GLWTA!! :-)
Rather have this than my 88GT. Hmmm…
Looks like someone transplanted the 87-89 Mustang GT seats into this car. Even though they’re not original, they would be an upgrade in my opinion.
Funny you mentioned the seats. Same as my 88GT.
‘…a few scratches on the passenger side right front fender,…’
From a mechanic’s belt buckle?
Probably some zipper scratches…maybe some high-heel dings too on either side of the scratches?
I think that’s just the reflection of the
stuff in the garage.
I had a 1985 just like it. Medium Canyon Red Metallic. 1985 was the last year of the 4bbl Holley carb. This example has seats from a 1987-1990 GT Mustang. Also has the rear spoiler from the ASC McLaren.
Those are not ‘86 seats. I love these cars and will be watching this one!
Those definitely are not the original seats. I love these and will be watching!
!3 trips to the dealer before they replaced the computer in my 1987 GT Mustang. Is it any wonder why I have a Honda Fit and a C-5 Corvette. Still I remember doing 40 miles in 20 minutes on a back road on the way to Urbana, Illinois.
Nice. I already had this on my Ebay watch list
My first car I bought at a used car lot, was looking at a 89 Trans Am and the Capri the attendant wouldn’t let me drive it as a college student, so he drove, fish tailed the capri all the way through first and second. Sold!!! Loved that car wished I would’ve never got rid of it!!
I had an ’82 White Lightning version and loved it. Was just different enough from the GT to stand on its own. If it was for that telephone pole on a wet morning, I probably would still have it…
I like the looks of the Capri over the Mustang.
Perhaps the ugliest front bumper arrangement in existence.
These look better in my opinion then the grill-less stangs of the same year,also I personally like the 4 separate lights also,I’m sure many will chime in,as always that’s what this is for isn’t it,I used to want a fox body badly,but have grown out of that urge,I’d much rather have a replacement for my 1st car,a 1970 mercury cougar xr7 351-c.
If I remember correctly, Motorweek ran the Capri and Mustang against each other in an episode, and the Capri was a few ticks faster 0-60 and in the 1/4 mile.