The first two generations of the Mercury Capri (1970-74, 1976-80) were as a captive import, built by Ford of Europe. Its dimensions were reminiscent of the early days of the Ford Mustang with pony car-like proportions. Offered by the seller from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, this 1976 edition is said to have the “rare” 2.8-liter V6 engine, though we can’t any breakout of sales figures for it versus the I-4. It’s available from a garage here on craigslist where a “little” TLC is needed and the seller doesn’t set a price, preferring to field offers instead. Another tip brought to us by Mitchell G.!
During its first eight years, the Capri had no badge affiliations with either Ford or Mercury but was sold in the U.S. at the latter’s dealers. The car got its first restyle in 1976, gaining a bit of length in the process. It also got a slight name change, now becoming the Capri Mk II. It transformed into a hatchback, too, which was gaining popularity as a body style in America. Standard power was a 2-3-liter OHC I-4, but buyers could order the previously mentioned V6. Through 1978, more than a half million Capri and Capri IIs were imported, taking second place in imported vehicle sales (the VW Beetle was first)
Little information is shared about the ’76 Capri Mk II. It’s said to be in good condition and is a “must-see” vehicle. Yet we’re not told why it’s up on jacks with wheels/tires underneath it. Or if it even runs. It does have an automatic transmission with a plug figure apparently used for mileage. The body and paint may be okay, but we don’t know about the interior. No photos of the seats are provided. With this lack of information or visuals, the seller is probably going to get a lot of jokers offering $1 for the car since no asking price is set. What would you say it’s worth?
Typical advertising for today, minimal details given and less photos, No thanks.
My favorite car when I was in High School, where is this car located?
$500…. $300 more than the junk yard would give him. My mom had a 74 Capri 4 cylinder auto back in like 83 or 84. Parts were hard to find back then. Couldn’t imagine what it would be like now. My dad sold the capi and picked up a super clean 74 opel Manta. That was a cool looking small car.
Parts may actually be easier to get now, thanks to the Internet. Pricey with int’l shipping, sure, but available.
That 2.8L engine looks to be the “Cologne” V6 also used in a variety of other US models, and I’d reckon various other bits may be common corporate parts you could readily get here with a bit of brushing-up on forums and such about what more common US models used the same part.
I got a 71 Capri 1600 from my brother in 81, when he graduated from college, and I graduated from high school. I went through 2 transmissions in the thing.
Then upgraded to a 75 Manta 1900. Liked both cars, But neither was a convertible, so my first MG was the next car…
Perhaps some European readers can chime in. I’ve heard all Capris have a strong following there, and that parts availability is reasonable.
Like Art says, these put-together-in-one-minute ads frustrate me.
Had a ’72 V6 Capri a long time ago so this looks somewhat familiar to me. Relatively easy to work on and work on it you will. The first generation was marketed as The Sexy European and that was certainly true.
I believe that once the new owner got caught up bringing this vehicle up to code then they would get some enjoyment out of it and have a unique vehicle thar isn’t seen very often.
How do I contact the owner?
I think the same folks that buy their cars, sight unseen, on the interwebs, are the same ones that post ads like these. They’re too busy playing video games to take the time to actually post information about their(or Grandpa’s) cars.
I’ll buy it. How do I contact seller?
You can’t anymore as the listing has expired, but in case they relist it, craigslist private-party ads usually have a Reply button near the top you can click to get phone/email contact info.
I once own a ’73 Capri I bought for $1,000 with a 2.6 liter V-6 and manual. When tuned properly, which took some finessing, the car ran great – for two weeks. The final straw for me was when the timing gear exploded because it was made from a phenolic material requiring the entire engine to be removed and the block and heads flushed separately. when I got it back together I waxed it – sold it for $1,200 and bought a ’80 Corolla. Needless to say, I went for reliability over looks. Good Luck with this one.
..”chiming in from the UK”
These are hot property over here…..parts are OK to find-including repro panels in some cases. WE never got the 2.6 in the UK but more than one or two imported LHD ones from Europe . Anything 3 litre..that we did get….always sells ! Check Carandclassic.co.uk for prices..some $70k
Had a 76 v6, 4 spd. Couldn’t get parts except for a salvage yard in CA. Nice car, not well supported.
Good luck to the buyer.
I had a ‘76 2.8L 4 speed as well. It was quick!! You’re right about not supported. Just like every other import sold by the big three—not promoted and not supported.
who listed this ? just got my daily barn finds notification and it already says “listing expired” ???
SAYS “LISTING EXPIRED” . i AM LOCAL TO THE ARE AND HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR ONE OF THESE
Keep an eye on that local craigslist in case the seller relists it there again. Here’s a search where you can click the Save button to get emailed when any new results come up:
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/search/mld/cta?purveyor=owner&query=capri
These had a 1600 engine as the basic package in Australia & the 3 litre V6 was a weapon !
They were fun when new, I had a 74 that I heavily modified, it would run circles around most of the 70’s performance car, with it’s great mix of power and handling. I did say I modified it heavily, head work, higher comp, cam, carb work, all steel timing gears, carb work, lowered, different springs, shocks, wider rims, Pirelli CN36, sway bars, lightened flywheel. Today, sorry to say, a stock Golf would eat it alive, or just about any stock econobox. The V6 may have made 109 hp.. really pathetic by todays standards.
No Price Means OVERPRICED!
Not true. I replaced my exploded timing gear with TRW metal gears and ran it for another 19 years. Easy fix with motor still in the car.
Hey JB. I don’t believe aftermarket metal timing Gears were available in 1980 for a’73 Crapi. It’s good they’re available now. Thanks.
Shame there’s only a handful of 76-77 Capris around.
I would at least go look at it. I had a customer who had a 74 that came from the Brazilian racing circuit. I wanted that car some kind of bad. For the information on parts. The poster who said it has a 2.8 litre cologne engine. Yes same block as is in the early v6 ranger or bronco 2. The engine parts ARE available. Personally I would either upgrade to the fuel injected ranger engine OR order the 3.8 litre Essex engine stroked out to 4.3. from super six motorsports. I’ve seen that particular swap actually done. Besides it’s a great little classic for someone like my 17 year old who wants a classic smaller car. Just not a vega or pinto. Any other parts ARE available overseas.
Good donor car to do a drivetrain swap. Got electric, or make it a Ford Focus front wheel drive underneath, shave 2 hundred pounds, lose the driveshaft and rear diff. You can tune the Focus 2 liter to get 145-160 hp with not much cost. I bet it would drive fantastically.
Good donor car to do a drivetrain swap. Go electric, or make it a Ford Focus front wheel drive underneath, shave 2 hundred pounds, lose the driveshaft and rear diff. You can tune the Focus 2 liter to get 145-160 hp with not much cost. I bet it would drive fantastically.
Your comment is so nice I read it twice!
These cars were rear wheel drive, not front wheel drive. A 2.8 Cologne V6 from a Mustang II or an early Fox body would likely drop right in. Early Ford Ranger V6, Bronco II, Explorer or Aerostar might fit too.
I read it twice and still can’t believe you’re suggesting changing from proper Right Wheel Drive to front wheel drive.
Had a 73 V-6 4 speed back in the day. That was a time when most competitors like Celica, Opel, Pinto, Vega, & Accord had 4 cylinders. I thought that made mine sort of a mini muscle car.