Reader Sighting: 1981 Mercury Capri RS Turbo

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From Kyle – This car was sitting across the street from a building I was looking at repairing for a local property manager. At first glance I thought it just a Capri, but after a closer look I couldn’t believe it… A 1981 Capri RS Turbo! Thinking of going back and talking to the owner.

The Capri RS was basically a Mercury version of the turbo-charged foxbody Mustang. It was an impressive machine when new and is a rare sight today. Thanks for sharing it with us Kyle and please let us know if you have any lucking getting a hold of the owner. Happy hunting guys!

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Comments

  1. Steve R

    Too bad, it looks like it was a pretty car when new.

    Steve R

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  2. JimmyJ

    The cfox sticker tells me it’s in Vancouver BC Canada

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    • Dusty Stalz

      Fort Langley boy here. Look at the moss on the ground and on the house behind. Definitely a WETCOAST car lol and the window’s probably been down for years.

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  3. Joseph Wayne Haddock

    Has a mustang hatch, maybe. Can’t remember what year they went to the large curved back glass.

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    • Ric

      83 was start of bubble back window on Capris

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    • Emmy Jackson

      The bubbleback came in 1986, so it’s definitely an early Capri.

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    • Jett

      I believe they put the bubbleback hatch on it starting in 1983.

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  4. nick

    We has a 79 Capri Turbo RS that had that hatch. Not sure when they changed. This was a better look. Loved hearing the turbo spoil up.

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  5. Wayne Thomas

    Thinking? Dude, this is an article you write AFTER you buy that car. EcoBoost swap!

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  6. mike

    to large to be a boat anchor ,,,,,,what’s scrap going for?

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  7. Howard A Rube GoldbergMember

    If it has the metric wheels, can I be the 1st to take a sledge hammer to them?
    (long story)

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  8. Dusty Stalz

    Obviously has had a bad enough hit in the rear to crumple the quarter panel. This cars done but maybe the driveline could be saved if you wanted to spend the money.

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  9. ccrvtt

    Not a huge fan or very knowledgeable about these cars but that is one of the most compelling photos I’ve seen. It just suggests an incredible backstory and the colors and shading are perfect. I hope OP gets this beauty and it’s everything he expected.

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  10. JimmyJ

    Hey dusty
    I grew up in fort Langley too!
    Trattle street

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    • Dusty Stalz

      LOL small world. We probably crossed paths at the pub lol.

      Like 0
  11. Madmatt

    These capris with rally/sport suspension and turbo
    were great handling cars-very flat cornering,and didn’t”plow”like
    the v8’s in a corner.The 3 bar metric wheels however,
    were a major pain,as only Goodyear,and maybe
    Firestone offered tires for them,and they were very expensive
    at the time also. I don’t know if You can still get tires for them or not?
    Very cool cars,but this looks like a parts car,
    nice rust free ones are out west,and that’s what I would start with
    for a resto candidate.Nice to see one again!

    Like 0
  12. JimmyJ

    Hey dusty it’s me again
    My grandfather owned Jensen and sons auto wrecking which changed to rova and now classic auto recycling…
    Jim jensen

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    • Dusty Stalz

      Is that the one on the way to Derby Reach? I ride my bike around there sometimes. If yer on Facebook you can freind me on there.

      Like 0
  13. ROTAG999

    Like the SVO Mustangs but not this , Give me the German built 71-77 Capri

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    • George Thompson

      I had a 72 would love to find another one

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  14. newfieldscarnut

    Get the thing cheap , bring it home and stabilize it . Worry about what to do with it later …

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  15. Al_Bundy John LeyshonMember

    The “bubble hatch” came out for the 1983 model year. The Mercury Capri was mechanically identical to the Mustang during it’s model run of 1979-86. Differentiated only by flared fenders, flat horizontal bar grill, horizontal bar tail lamps and hatch back body only, U.S. (Mexican models did feature a notch back coupe).

    The wheels on this pictured gem are just 14″ steel rims w/ plastic wheel covers. The Michelin TRX performance suspension package featured 390mm wheels/tires (15.4″). Still reproduced by Coker for upwards of $350 each ! 16″ versions of the wheels are now available through several restoration parts sites.

    Carbureutted “draw through” turbo wasn’t so good. Still love the find, nice to see !

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  16. subungal

    too late for this one. i bet the floor as rotten as the bottom of the doors. best just let it return to the earth, like its trying to do.

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  17. chad

    like more pic to know what’s there…

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  18. erikj

    a friend bought one of these in the early 90,s . I didn’t think much of it until I drove it,pretty snappy!!! it was in great shape, but got t-boned. Gone to the junk yard soon after that.

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  19. Kyle

    I managed to talk with the owner today $300 and its yours . car has a 302 in it now . it would be cool to put on a trailer and stop at a mercury shop as a barn find. cool car too bad its rotted out . i have more photos ill add them as i can

    Like 2
  20. Kyle

    interior

    Like 1
  21. Kyle

    more

    Like 1
  22. Kyle

    more yet

    Like 1
  23. Scott Brown

    Interesting to see that this one also had optional Recaro seats but not the T-roof option, which was first available in 81.

    Like 0
  24. UMendo

    So, what will you do with it. Parting out? Im restoring a 79 Capri myself.

    Like 0

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