Of all of the 1970’s-era captive imports, the Capri was one of the most interesting to cross America’s shores. Originally intended to be the European version of the Mustang, the Capri racked up an impressive string of racing victories early on. This surviving example is located in Ararat, North Carolina and is for sale here on eBay with a BIN of $10,000.
First a bit of nomenclature. The ad refers to this as a “Ford” Capri, but the model was sold exclusively in the US as a Mercury (they were sold as Fords in other countries). And based on the bumpers and headlights, this appears to be a domestic version as opposed to a gray-market import. But since there was never any Mercury badging or nameplates applied to these when new, after 45 years the confusion is understandable. Or maybe the seller is calling it that because the Mercury brand isn’t around anymore. But regardless of the name, this car appears very straight for its age. The seller states it has 49,000 miles and they have only added 800 or so since they bought it at an estate auction in 2010.
Power comes from a 2.0 L SOHC inline four. While more fun might be had if it were equipped with the 2.6 L V6, the little fours received favorable reviews back in the day. It is backed up by an automatic transmission. The seller notes that the “AC is not hooked up”, which is probably the most common phrase in classic car ads next to “ran when parked”.
The cabin looks well-preserved. There are some visible cracks in the dash, and much of the faux wood grain on the instrument panel has disappeared.
Pulling back the trunk mat reveals a floor that looks relatively sold. They note only one spot of rust on the right quarter panel. That’s important because of the 1.17 million early Capris sold in the U.S., there seems to be remarkably few left on the road. I’m guessing many have reverted to iron oxide.
This does appear to be a well-preserved example of a somewhat forgotten nameplate. Always an odd fit for Lincoln-Mercury, the Capri name was further muddied in later years by the introduction of a Fox-body Mustang clone in the 80’s and an Australian-made Mazda 323 variant in the 90’s. Perhaps that is why collectibility of these has languished. But the long hood and short deck styling still look fresh today, and it is likely a fun, if not exceptionally fast, driver. With a BIN of $10,000, is this still “the sexy European”?
10k? Really???
“muddied by the fox bodied”? That was actually one of the better Capri’s made for performance and styling. It went to crap when they rebadged that mazda POS as one. Probably what killed Mercury.
Has the world gone mad? $15,000 dollar Toyota wagons, and now this. Tis’ no $10,000 dollar car, sorry. I just don’t get where they are coming up with these numbers. It’s fun to see past cars in front of your eyes again, memory tends to blur things. I had a ’74 Capri, I really liked the car, initially, but it really was a poor car. The V6 began using coolant early on, sorely needed a 5 speed, that gas filler was always a mess, no back seat room, and could have used a hatchback. The trunk opening was worthless. The Capri ll addressed all those issues, but by then, there were much nicer Asian cars for less money. Nice find, but again, sorry, this pricing is just plain foolishness. Am I that far out of touch?Regardless of what I think they are worth, are people actually buying $15,000 dollar ’71 Toyota’s and $10,000 dollar ’73 Capri’s?
Yeah, these cars were basically junk, which is why there are so few left. They didn’t last long enough to rust out. Serious overheating problems drove many to early graves. Plus the build quality was… yeah. In ’73 you could get any number of far superior Japanese cars, and buyers at the time knew it.
Might be close to $10K if it was a V6/4-gear.
And Bullitt Green.
With Pirelli CN36s and a set of Interpart spoilers.
And Cannon Headers with no resonator.
And Hella halogen headlights.
Been there done that.
This is why I got out of the classic car market and moved up to the new generation musclecars. People are going completely nuts on these prices. I still enjoy Barn Finds and may still pick up the right car at the right price but it’s looking like it may be quite awhile.
I owned one in 1975. A pinto can run off and leave these in the dust. 10000 dollars hahaha unbelievable. 2500 be more then its worth. .
I don’t know about that. My first car was a 71 Capri with a 1600 and a 4speed. At nearly the same time my folks had a 74 Pinto wagon 2.3 automatic. I am pretty sure the Capri was quicker. It was fun. It almost made it to the junk yard. Like I said, my first car and I didn’t know how to drive a stick when I got it.
I could be so good for you.
Same year and color as the one I bought new in 1973.Mine was a 4SP w/o AC.Was a fun car.
Howard A, agree with you on the world gone mad, at least as far as prices on certain old cars. I like all things Mercury but never could warm up to one of these. I just ignore the ones I don’t like and keep an eye out for models that trip my trigger, at a price I can afford. Good deals are still out there, just have to be ready when they pop up.Case in point,my 73 Montego GT pictured here a few months back,yes it is a project but complete and do able for 1250 $.
It’s like pro sports; the top guys are worth the money as they drive the gate proceeds etc., but somehow it seems to bring up everyone one to ridiculous levels. The next thing you know, utility infielders are getting $50M+ contracts!
Had a 73 with the V-6, it would scream. It also drank gas a lot faster than you would think. I remember filling it up after the first oil embargo and gas had dropped back to 49.9 per gallon thinking “If gas stays at 50 cents a gallon, we can live with that”. It was one of the cooler cars in small town NC for sure in the sea of “Detroit Iron”.
Actually, a footnote on your nomenclature. The German built Capri was simply Capri, the Mercury nameplate was not officially attached until the Fox body variant was introduced in 1978. Saying Ford in this case is probably more correct than Mercury, early advertisements stated them as Ford built:
That’s how the dealers felt, as well. Ford dealers told you to go to Mercury, Mercury dealers told you to go to Ford.
Interesting car. Have not seen one in years. Oddly, I know of a guy in NH who has 3 or 4 front clips for these sitting around. See them all the time driving by.
The South African Capri’s came with 1600cc, 2000cc, 3000cc engines but if you really wanted a good one, Basil Green in Johannesburg produced a 5700cc V8 called a Perana Capri. Road tested at 142 mph by the SA Car, magazine. Only car to stay with it was another Ford, the four door Fairmont in SA, or Falcon in Australia.
It was the Ford Windsor ‘302’ 4.9 litre, (often badged as a 5.0) fitted to the Perana, with a Ford Toploader gearbox or a C4 auto. The Canadian made V8 was used as Ford South Africa was nominally controlled by Ford Canada, both British Commonwealth countries. The larger 5.8 l / 351c.i.V8 wasn’t available as they were US made.
With a 5.0 transplant and a 5 speed, this would be a good drift car
I always thought they were attractive but I am in Indiana and the rust soon came for them.
Loved mine. Always liked the body style. Not a great performer, but so many of us drive cars that are not, just because we like the way they look or they make us feel a certain way or we just like having something that nobody else has.
I could not agree more. The instant I saw it amazingly good memories came with it. The car may have fallen apart but the fun I had in one of these has not. I have no recollection of how it drove. Probably didn’t care either, it wasn’t mine.
$10,000 seems, perhaps, a tad optimistic.
Even made a spoiler for it from a 80’s Z28 Camaro
Price is high but there is a certain timelessness about these. Plus they had some actual racing pedigree.
The Japanese alternatives of the day were all kinda tinny and flimsy in comparison.
I’d give maybe six grand, paint the wheels correctly, then see what five speed would fit and work nicely.
There’s a yellow ‘72 V6 on Tulsa Craigslist I’d love to have but there seems to be a hiccup on the title.
Ours was a 2.0 litre, fairly gutless for the weight, and although I didn’t mind the styling we nicknamed ours the “Crapi”
I called my 1976 Capri II the “Crapi” too!
A ’73 Capri was my first car. The previous owner had equipped it with Trans-Am style side-pipes (!?!?) so that was different. :) With the high-reving V6 and four-speed it was more than a match for most of the overweight, underpowered parental sedans on the roads in those days, especially if cornering was involved. Like all German cars, it was happy to drive as long as you wanted with your foot on the floor. It was no match for Pennsylvania road salt, though. Nice write-up Steve. Thanks for the memories!
I was working on the Alaska Pipeline in ’76 and bought a clean 14k mile silver blue ’74 V6/4-gear/decor group out of Anchorage. $2600.
Spoilers, halogen lights, headers before I went back to Valdeeez.
After the job ended I played with it a LOT.
Western Mag, Minilite lookalike rims were cool, and a guy in Santa Monica (Parts and Polish) built rubber-lipped airdams that were bad ass.
Taxi smacked the front end, I had it repainted with Corvette Targa Blue shoulders, a-pillars and hood.
Pull the big stupid 50 pound bumpers off, the car popped up over 2 inches.
Swap the wheels with my ’75 Courier, 14″ steelies and bias snow tires, four more inches!
Light bar on the bumper mounts, Oscar Plus driving lights, TBird alternator.
Terrorized the Porsche club rally but never won anything.
Had fun, sold it at a loss in Oregon in ’78.
How do you make a small fortune with your tricked out car?
Start with a larger fortune!
Great 1st car at 16. 2.0 liter stick, blew out 2 clutches first 6 months, good looking little car, friend had 2.6 Auto, much quicker. , was still on pile in middle of junkyard about 10 years ago, still lots of parts on it, now probably scrap metal,
My first car was a 72 Capri. Forest green with white vinyl top and white interior. As a kid it was a bargain $3200 right off the showroom floor. Until that summer without air conditioning. Sold it that next year.
South African perana capr is had the 302 not the 351.
I would only get indignant if it actually sold close to 10K. Folks ask ridiculous prices nowadays. I have been following eBay for years and laugh at how many cars never sell as the sellers set stupid reserves. Too scared to let the market determine low end value I guess.
Had a V6 4 speed in Aus way back in the late 70s They were a dime a dozen then. Good little car absolutely torched a mates 289 Falcon. The Perana from South Africa would have been a different beast. Never see them anymore never a great sign. Those South Africans also made a V8 powered Sierra .
I like there style
I had a ’73 2000 Capri,that i bought in ’78.
It had a sunroof,& the V6 gauge package.I bought
it from the original owner for $500.
It was a great road car,but too heavy to be
competitive in hillclimb/autocross.
These are very collectable on the other side of the pond and shipping is cheap. That is the intended market for this Ford Capri
Had a 74 with a 2.8 V6 standard. Shortly after getting was doing 130 on the hiway. Did a double take reading speedo and finding miles not kilometers. Yes, it did rust out. If both doors opened needed a jack to raise one side to get them closed.
I have always wanted one of these! I don’t have a way to transport it economically back to where I live or I would definitely be in the dickering stage of negotiations with the seller! I am positive a person could get him off the outrageous price he is asking!
A friend had a one in this brown color, a new V6 4 speed A/C Capri in 74, it was a nice refined riding good running little car. Speaking of Crapi….
Everytime these come up, I mention here in Portland Oregon was home to ROKSTOCK, who made a lot of parts for these.
Yep. Rick Kiser started the company and had a great thing going, except for timing. That wondrous Carter economy took him out as he was trying to expand after Ford killed the German Capri. It was a gallant effort. Last I talked to him he was selling Honda’s in Beaverton. Good guy.
To have an 2.6 V6 in this car,u had the sadest Capri around. 2.6 and 3.0 was english rubbish. 1.3-1.6-2.0-2.8 was made in Germany and thousand times better. Last one in Europe was an 2.8 wirh 150bhp,that was also the best they ever made👍
My wife’s first car was a 72 BRG Capri 2.0 liter 4speed. I did like the car but it had a caable operated clutch, thus as the cable stretched the cluthes’ availability diminished. It was normally a race to see if you could get home before the clutch quit.
The Cologne 3.0L V6 versions we had in Europe were a good car but as with most cars of the era suffered from tin worm infestation. They had a habit of dropping the fuel tank that was held in place with two thin metal straps that rusted through very quickly. The mkiii 2.8 injection V6 cars were a real hoot.
The Brits have a thing for their Capris, the German factory kept pushing them onto boats for jolly olde after Ford stopped selling them in other markets. I wonder if the seller is hoping with what little rust there is, the rising prices in the U.K. would make it worthwhile to import. As for myself, two years on the autobahn with my ’76 2.8, 4 speed (thank you, U.S.A.F.) made many happy memories for me. The ’76 I rescued from California with the C-3 automatic, not so much.
HEY… Capri guy’s/gal’s I am still kick’n and trying hard to re-launch the new ROKSTOCK Capri program. Google ROKSTOCK Capri and hit on Oregon Hot Rod site for some new info. Merry Christmas to you ALL… ROK
Thats awesome Bob! Im from outside the PDX area (up in the hills) and remember the ROKSTOK stuff well as also knew some of your customers back in the day, (The Alexander brothers in Corbett, Keith had the tricked out pumpkin orange capri with all the bells and whistles and Todd had the BRG Datsun Z similarily tricked out) And Robert Eber had multiple Capris but wrecked a few of them.
PIR & the racing scene, Fastspec and some of the other shops in the 70s & 80s,
good to hear your still at it.
That’s great, Richard! I was one of the latecomers in that WONDERFUL Jimmy Carter economy (!) and always admired your ‘can do’ spirit. My 2-blue ’74 went away for money reasons, last I saw it was 30+ years ago, looking decent.
Good luck with your new effort, put rickr442@gmail.com on your contact list!
Had 73 Capri, Germany model, 4cyl, 4 speed, 411 posi rear end. Put carb add. For 4 barrel, bigger cam,headers. I ate small block GM and Fords up, late model and 70’s models. Car would top out in 1/4 mile, I think it was 125 mph. People freaked out, couldn’t believe the performance of this car, a 4cyl. I was totally impressed with this car.. I’ve had and have many muscle cars/trucks. I sold mine years ago, mistake, wish I still had it. Was very fun car, and made ALOT of money racing it, was no problem getting races, people seem a 4 cylinder and the $$ was on the table. Mustangs, Camero’s, and big body cars, man o man, I had FUN with them. When I hit 3rd gear it was over. Memories, Thanks to you all, and Old Capri’s!!!!!!!