The initial Capri was a sport compact built in Europe and sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the U.S. It was offered from 1970 to 1978 before the name switched over to Mercury’s version of the new Foxbody Ford Mustang. This 1974 edition has a V6 engine with a 4-speed manual, perhaps the best combo, but we’re told it needs engine work. Located in Dixon, California (no relation), it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000. Thanks for the tip, MisterLou!
During its captive import days, the Capri never carried any Mercury badging. And there was no variant of it on the Ford USA side, either. The name gives a nod to the Island of Capri (Italian), and it had first been used by Ford in 1952 on a Lincoln personal luxury car. The success of the Ford Mustang in the States led Ford of Europe to cook up the Capri, which gave Mercury a perfect import in the early 1970s, as the Cougar had gotten bigger and bigger.
Most of the changes to the 1973-74 Capri were to enlarge the front and rear bumpers to meet new Federal safety standards. So, the car was a little bulkier in appearance. A refresh of the styling came in 1976, and the car was then dubbed Capri II (why?). Early Capri models had an inline-4 as standard equipment, but a V6 soon became available as an option, and a 2.8-liter version was offered in ’74.
The seller is short on words to describe this ’74 Capri, which is a project. We’re told the engine needs work, but its problems aren’t mentioned. Also, the overall car needs TLC, which at minimum would mean a new coat of paint and maybe some interior work. The little car has a sunroof, so that’s a plus unless it happens to leak (we don’t know that). Mercury sold a fair number of these cars back in the day, but when was the last time you saw one, even at a show?
These were cool, attractive, sporty cars. I thought that even the big bumper years still looked good. The V-6 4-speed made for a fun drivetrain.
This one certainly needs plenty of work. Other than the trunk lid, maybe not rusty? Can any of you California folks tell the last time it was registered?
Perhaps it can be brought back.
They actually looked better with the composite bumpers.
Capri 2; why?
Different – bigger – body shape. Stayed roughly the same until the end; Capri 2 became 3 around about the same time as Cortina 4 became 5.
Oooh, it has an ashtray, now that’s a rare option that went the way of the dodo. I could see this as a fun one to hit the curves in, after it’s fixed up.