So, you say you want a collector car. You also want some speed, or at least respectable performance. And, as an added bonus, three pedals would be nice. Last but not least, you have the audacity to ask for a roof that folds down! Oh, what’s that? You want to spend under $10,000 and it has to be limited production? You have some never. Well, today – and today only – I will grant your wish: enter the 1984 Mercury Capri ASC McLaren convertible, listed here on craigslist for just $6,500. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for the find.
On the surface level, the ASC McLaren is a rare specimen in every regard. Remember, there was the Ford Mustang variety, which was basically mass-produced compared to the Capri version. In fact, estimates confirm that ASC made less than 600 of the Capri variety before pivoting to the Mustang edition. Now, you take that number and you ask the Google machine how many were made with a stick shift, and that number drops to a scant 115. One of 115 cars with a V8, three pedals, and $6,500? Yes, you have my attention. The Capri has under 45,000 miles, but it’s still a bit of a driver based on the interior and exterior condition.
The looks are certainly a take-it-or-leave-it affair, and while I appreciate the effort made to actually create a design of some distinction, I’ve always found the end product puzzling. So, we have the taillights inset from the body, leaving an overhang above the taillights. Does it serve any purpose? Did they add turn signals? Nope. The license plate mounting point now sits several inches within the body, and I pity the fool who adds a dealer license plate frame when screwing in the license plate. What I do like is the red paint job, as we don’t see that exterior color all that often on the ASC converted cars. The tonneau cover doesn’t sit all that securely, which is a question to ask the seller about.
Under the hood is a reliable 5.0L V8 powerplant, offering good power, great noise, and cheap parts. There’s some errant wiring I’d like to know more about, but that’s a question for serious buyers to ask. The seller notes it does need some TLC, but that it’s never been wrecked and he has held onto the original carburetor. The price seems more than fair for a project-grade example that runs, and when you factor in the rare and desirable 5-speed, my sense is this car will not last long on craigslist. Do you think this rare ASC Capri 5-speed is a good deal?
Sold for $7,150 at Barrett-Jackson in 2008
Some red overspray in the engine bay…wonder why but now sold so never mind
Seems like a good price though would need an in person inspection the 5-speed makes it even better.
In 1983 you could buy a factory Mustang convert. This seems like a bad idea, an after thought. The top looks tacky when up, and does it properly seal? has the under carriage been strenghened? Look for a factory Mustang convert, it will let you sleep better.
McLaren is like the step dad who taught his scared little step child named mercury, how to.throw 90 mph fastball. I love it and the lineage in the family and the historical story this car will have in the future makes it an incredible buy.
Possible good deal pending a close inspection. Honestly, I’d rather blow my money fixing this up than doing so with a factory Fox ragtop; it would be the only one at any local car meet.
The fuel supply setup is strange. Supply line (rubber) leaving the aftermarket fuel filter to lay on the intake manifold. And then an additional fuel supply line below the first one coming from a “standard” style Ford fuel filter attached to an electric fuel pump? Very strange.
With regards to the tail lights, if I recall correctly there were smoked covers on tail lights and the headlights. When those covers went away, it looked pretty bad. Of course the 83 to 86 tail lights on the Capri looked dumb after the redesign. Ford had them going all the way across the back end from 79 to 82, and had that louvered Ferrari Testarossa look to them. If I hadn’t bought that 91 Reatta 2 years ago, I would be over there snagging this car right now.
My stepdad bought my Mom a new one of these when they came out. Hers was an automatic but that car was so freaking much fun to drive. I remember when she got it, we all took turns taking it out in I-20 and seeing how fast we could go. All I’ll admit to is FAST.
Did y’all say there were no turn signals? So, what gives ???