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