Ford’s effort to repeat the Mustang’s success in Europe led to the creation of the Capri in 1968. Manufactured by Ford Europe with design input from Ford Britain (MG fans will recognize the Rostyle wheels), the car was imported to the US in 1970. It was sold by Lincoln-Mercury but carried no divisional identification – similar to the first years of the Comet when it was introduced. In America, the Capri was sold as a sporty economy car at a base trim level and – at first – just one engine option; in Europe, the cars were available with a variety of upscale trims and engine options. The model was a solid seller, with some 1.9 million examples made over three generations of production. In America, its long hood/short deck styling was a familiar pony-car idiom, but its origination from Europe generated the marketing motto “the sexy European”. Here on craigslist is a 1972 Capri with an asking price of $14,500 (firm) located on San Juan Island, Washington. Thanks to Kevin for this rare tip!
The first US Capri arrived with a 1.6 liter Kent four-cylinder motor, prompting scorn from buyers impatient with sluggish acceleration. One wag reversed letters on his car’s bonnet to read “Crapi”. An upgrade in 1971 to the Pinto’s 2.0-liter four paired with a downdraft Weber carburetor drew more respect. With almost 100 hp on tap, backed by a four-speed manual, the car’s performance finally just about matched the promise of its sleek styling. Performance shortfalls did not prevent these cars from entering the race circuit, as both motors were exceptionally tunable. Our subject car has the 2.0-liter engine; its odometer reads 87,000 miles, but no word on running condition. Its tires are new and the wheels have been refinished.
The interior is in excellent condition for its age. Even the map light works; only the clock does not. The rear seats are as nice as the fronts. The trunk containing the spare looks like it’s barely been opened during the car’s lifetime.
The seller notes minimal rust confined to the battery tray. The vinyl top is clean and tight – no bubbling. The paint, chrome, lenses, and trim appear to be in excellent condition, though photos can trick our eyes. The seller urges a personal inspection – always a wise idea. While Capris of any flavor are somewhat rare in the US, it’s worth trying to find an example of the 2.6-liter six-cylinder version introduced in 1972. Failing that, if your heart is set on an early Capri, this one might justify a trip to San Juan.
Excellent alternative to the Pinto-a better built car without the propensity to explode upon impact at the rear and more fun to drive besides. Later a staple in the Reno autocross group, some of these saw crazy-but allowable-improvements.
Good stuff, Michelle!
ANYTHING was an excellent alternative to the Pinto.
Even a Plymouth Cricket !
In South Africa the Capri was upgraded with a V8 engine and called Capri Perana
And there it is. The fabled “exploding Pinto” story. You’d think this happened at every stop sign.
Well not every stop sign but the internal messages at Ford detailing of plastic versus metal were sort of damning, but I believe only 27 people were burnt to death, so from a risk to reward ratio. Not so bad, unless you were amongst the 27
sorry, I hit report erroneously.
I drove both cars back in the day .A 1971 Capri with the 1600 4-speed was a car I learned to drive a manual in. And then had to replace the transmission. Shared that with my brother in college 1 year. And my folks had a 1974 Pinto wagon, 2300 with an automatic.
The Pinto was a good reliable car, pretty heavy. But could haul a surprising amount of stuff. The Capri was much lighter and seemingly nimble for an 18yo with no real driving experience. It was fun. I got 7 friends in it one time for a 2 mile trip back to the house. Like I said, college.
But was pretty old and not worth much. Had recurring issues with the window falling out of the track and the stick shift coming free from the transmission while driving. Nylon screw held it in place. Got pretty good at putting that back without missing a shift. When it was on it’s last legs, we almost got it to the junk yard. Upgraded to a 1974 Opel Manta. But then got the convertable bug.
I know, right! Just think how safe the 65 mustang was! Hahaha.
People have no idea that there were higher death rates in other small cars at that time and the NHSTA put the total of gas tank fire deaths at 27. There was only 117 lawsuits in total brought against a vehicle that sold almost 3.2 million units. You are correct it is a fable.
Agreed. Get so tired trying to educate about Jeeps and GM pickups (saddlebag tanks) being so exponentially more a fire/death problem. Had a `72 Pinto Runabout (2000cc Manual) for 11 years, and is the number 1 car I wish I had back.
Your exploding Pinto comment shows how little you know about them , Yes they could blow up, but were found to be no less prone to that than any subcompact from that era . Nobody seems to remember that the Falcon/Mustangs trunk WAS the gas tank and would be thought of as dangerous today. The Capri was a fun car as was seen as more of a sport car, but they were more expensive , not available as a wagon , and they turned out to be real rust buckets , especially the structural parts. There’s a reason why so few Capri’s have survived ; by the time they were 6 or 7 years old they were hitting the junkyards with the undercarriage rotted away. Pintos weren’t the greatest cars by a mile , but they sure were a better alternative to the Capri
Nice clean car if you’re going to buy it ask the seller to pick you up at the ferry so you only pay for one car to come back, parking at the dock on the Anacortes side used to be free with Washington looking to get all the money they can from people I’m not sure it still is.
In my very very youth in montreal in the mid 70’s Capri’s like these were fairly common sight. This one is a nice example, dig the air cleaner but we see the hole for the preheater tube but were does it hook up ?
The wheels look like the B MGs. I once ordered some from Lincoln Mercury for a B. The bolt pattern was different. They took them back. Had two Capri’s. Liked them both. Nice car.
When I came home from my year plus in Vietnam this car had just come out. Went to the Lincoln-Mercury dealer and there was a line of people wanting to drive them and only 2 available. Ended up buying a silver one with the 4 banger which was a fun ride after some modifications and headers. Alway remember the look on the salesmans face when he asked me in a rather snotty tone: “how do you propose to pay for this car?” My reply was with a check which I wrote for $2601.93! The car I really wanted was the Boss 302 Mustang but it was about $1000.00 more and the insurance was astronomical for a guy in the Marines, single, and 21 years old. Thanks for the memory!
And thank you for your service, both as a Marine and your active duty in Vietnam.
Came back from Nam in August 72, stationed on DD699 out of Mayport, Florida. Went looking for the yellow V6. Dealer also had a ’71 Mach 1, with the 351 HO, which would fry the H70 Firestones just flooring it in D. Shoulda bought the Mach 1. The Capri was nice for a couple years, then the rocker panels rotted out, the driver seat back broke, and so did the 4 speed. I also paid cash, $3,007, from my combat duty savings account. In 1975, a new Capri V6 was over $10,000.
That would have be a ’76,as there were no ’75 Capris.
I also find it hard to believe that they were $10,000 then.
Maybe there was a huge dealer mark up?
Hemmings shows a top-of- the-line Ghia V6 as
having a list price of $4740.
What was the tale told about pinto acceleration? Next day throttle response? Drank oil like a sailor drank beer? I’m not making fun but some guys have me rolling with their colorful descriptions of cars from the past!
Yup … you are making fun. Good one!!!
I think a lot of us here remember a time when you could make a joke.
Now that’s funny…
Very nice 72 and should be worth the asking.The 2000 mtr was very peppy.And the 72 still had normal bumpers.
My aunt had one of these capris back in the early 80’s seemed pretty cool back in the day.The capris always had those cool body lines.Now I see pics of these and would love to drive one.
Beautiful car to keep original maybe add electronic fuel injection and CDI ignition. The carb problem seen on this car clue (no hose on oil filler PVC hose fitting is trying to adjust carb without vacuum. Means gotta dump too much gas to make it run (vacuum + pressure atomizes gas to spray form, more easily burned fully. Without that spray, the carb adjusted to rich can get it running, but damages engine reducing lubrication efficiency). Price is high given mechanical errors with vacuum, that may necessitate an engine rebuild. But that’s when you’re doing the updates on fuel delivery and probably free flow exhaust etc that shouldn’t affect value but add driveability. Techs today so used to OBD codes probably aren’t as apt to spend time on analog vacuum gremlins. You have to do it right when the rebuilt carb goes on, or you wasted your time on the carb.
Great cars. I had them all. 1.6, 2.0, 3.0L. Michelle, I don’t think they ever made a 2.6L engine but I stand to be corrected. I had a 1975 Ford Cortina V6 automatic pickup that had a 2.5L motor though.
Capri initially had 2.6L V6, then in 1975 it was 2.8L. There was never a 3.0L Capri
Bill the Brits had a different variety of engines that the Germans, which was the Mercury version we got here. The 3.o was indeed an Essex based V6.
We had a 3.0L in South Africa and a Capri Perana V8 fitted with a 302 engine and is unique in that it is the only V8 Ford Capri ever officially sanctioned by Ford. It was available from all South African Ford dealers with a full Ford warranty. Evidently Lee Iacocca had one as his personal car. They were guaranteed to do 142 mph straight out of the box, as was the Ford Fairmont 4 door sedan.
Came straight from Viet Nam to Nurenburg, Germany. Knew a retired guy that sold car and life insurance to guys on the post. Also hooked up w/ford dealer. Got me a sweet deal on a ’72 2000. They had 5 speeds over there and cruised the Autobahn at 90 all day long. Toured Europe in this little car and had a ball. One of the reasons stayed in for 20. Brought it back and used to have fun grabbing rubber on a power shift to 2nd while showing my taillights to Chevy Vega’s. Always wished I had bought the one with the 2600 V6, but this one was well worth the money.
I had the privilege of enjoying only one part of the Capri drive train when I bought a Merkur xr4ti in 1985. Despite several mentions here of broken tranny Ford took that trans and put it in the 175hp Merkur. They added a 5th overdrive gear on the back but my car didn’t like that too much, kept popping out of gear on decel. A Borg-Warner T5 and new bell housing fixed that.
https://barnfinds.com/captive-import-1972-mercury-capri/
Same car being flipped.
These had to be protected from road salt. Early-ish unibody construction. North Eastern US winters weren’t kind to these. That being said, they are so cute. Had one before starting work with General Motors. Oh, i could not have brought an import into the plant parking lot as a new hire. They’d have skinned me alive.
Had the ’72 2600 V6 manual. Red. Fun to drive. If driven the average number of miles per year (10k-12k) you will get to know the Mercury Capri’s inner-workings very intimately. Still, I’d like to relive those halcyon days of my youth. The V6 had a nice little burble at idle. The interior, while a little spartan, reminded me of the interior of an upper scale light aircraft of its era; Saabs were similar inside. This yellow Capri is quite the looker. Somebody should grab it, quick!
I had a 72 with a v6 and man did I love that car. It was yellow. All yellow 4 spd and what a great car. I was so sad when it died
These things fit a small block Ford in them with ease and they go like hell, need to upgrade the brakes for that though, but a great swap
Too bad it’s so far away from me. San Juan, Puerto Rico is closer than San Juan, Washington! (Though I have not had much experience driving on a ocean)!
Bought a brand new 1976 Capri II Ghia with the V6/4spd in August 1975 for $5400 cash in Van Nuys CA! No reasonable person would have paid $10K!! It was a great car and I had it until 1985. Only needed a couple of water pumps and a repaint…..
I drove a ’71 Pinto with the 2.0 OHC motor and 4 speed. Being in high school I was proud to get a little rubber in 1st and 2nd gear with it. But the rear suspension would almost swap ends with the front going over New England potholed hiways. Kinda funny how I would change the plugs, points and condenser every 7000-10000 miles without even giving it a thought.
I’ve always like these, never had so much as even the pleasure of sitting in one, sadly. The contour of the right rear wheel opening is way off. There must have been body work performed at some point. Still an excellent example.
It’s badged C A P R I in front and Mercury in back, Not Ford.