The Capri was a little bit of a sleeper because many didnt realize dispite looking similar that the RS was basically a Mustang GT and shared all the parts. Also i personally think the fenders on the capri were much better looking than the mustang with the bulge they had a much tougher look above the mustangs soft flairs. Another thing not to forget is McLaren customized some of these to make them just a little cooler while mustang had the saleen
My brother had an '86 McLaren Capri, white with the orange honeycomb wheels. I totaled it in '87 when a drunk driver plowed into me head on. I loved loved loved that car.
@@AlexanderCrump Man that sucks, it was the last year and they were really cool. I had an '83 RS that was the only one around my town with a sea of friends with mustangs. I saw two McLarens over many years of looking out for them. I'm pretty sure I would have loved it myself especially since I loved mine. The McLaren was the last step up for the Capri. Hope your brother still talks to you. lol It wasn't really your fault and the experience of being able to drive a great car sticks with you for a life time.
@@plap. The car was very unique. It had the Recaro seats, McLaren extra body molding, and I think my brother said it had some extra mechanical bits too. It had a cell phone installed in it which no one had at the time. I was a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia and he let me have the car there for the weekend. OMG it was fun driving around school with that. It sounded great and it was really fast. That 302 was awesome and the engine and engine just sounded great. The car had every option including T-top. A friend and I were driving up to Wintergreen mountain resort around midnight to take a break from studying and a drunk guy coming down the mountain plowed into us headon. I made it out of the car OK but it ended up going up in flames. My brother is very cool and was not worried about the car at all. I think he bought a Mercedes after that. I think that model was called the McLaren Euro Coupe. White with orange honeycomb wheels, orange pinstriping, gray interior. It was very sharp at the time.
Thank you for this video!! I owned an '84 Capri RS 5.0 5spd, no a/c, no power windows or door locks. My first car out of high school. I LOVED IT!! Got rear-ended by a FORD F250, bent the frame and Allstate totaled the car. Hindsight is 20/20... I should have done the salvage title, had the frame straightened, and I would still be driving that Capri, to this day!! Your reporting of the declining production numbers, year to year, is eye-opening!! It shows how ridiculously rare, these cars really are... Particularly, the rear bubble-hatch models, which I am very partial too. My advice is to find any of these cars, NOW, before the collector car market learns about them!!!!
I had a 1981 Mercury Capri GS with a sunroof and FOUR CYLINDERS! Yikes! The 4 banger was too, too weak! It was a stick shift and I didn't know how to drive one. My best friend taught me how to drive it. I bought it used just out of high school in 1987 (a year out of high school - now you know how old I am). YIKES!
I remember when Ford considered the 1987 Mustang to be a Mazda built, FWD car. Boy did they get a LOT of hate mail on that one!!!! Started seeing the spy shots of the revised front, rear and interior of the new 87 Mustang and we were all excited. Ordered a new triple black 87 GT with T-tops, leather, 5 speed and optional 3.08 traction lock rear end. What a beautiful car when it showed up and my local dealership.
No, the '87 was not going to be the FWD Mazda. '87 might be the year their plan leaked out but the FWD Mazda Mustang was going to be an '89. Because of the outcry the FWD Mazda Mustang's name was changed to "Probe", but it still came out as planned in '89, not '87.
Another great story ! Those 87 , 88 Mercury Cougars mentioned at th end were fantastic cars. My mom has an 88 5.0.... thing was a sleeper, was pretty sporty amd could lay rubber with those wire wheels and white wall tires 😉
The Cougar XR-7s with the 2.3 turbo were fun. I test drove one with a 5-speed manual. Such fun driving a larger car with a manual. It wasn't particularly fast but it looked great and was a blast to drive.
Bought my 83 rs bubble back used in the early 90's (94 i believe) driven daily for several years until a deer ran into the driver's side and did some damage. Started reviving the old girl in Jan 24. Long ways to go, but its only got 133,000 km's on it. Still looks great with the trx package and an upgraded toploader r spd to replace ruined factory 4 spd.❤
When I was a kid one of my friends dads had a 5.0 one of these. Always thought it was cool. Always enjoy these videos of forgotten or lesser known cars! Glad you add the commercials too, the way the made 80s commercials was awesome, lol.
Great Video and information! I still have my 1984 Mercury Capri RS with a V8 that I got from my father, and he bought the car new in 1983. It still has the factory oxford white paint with the tri-color stripe kit. I lowered the stance of mine but unfortunately because the original factory 5.0 motor broke the crank and block, I ended up having to use a newer style roller block from a later model Mustang that was stroked to 347. I liked the increased HP but was bummed that the factory motor was no longer in the car. I put wide Centerline Scorpion rims on it because the factory TRX tires were WAY too much money to the toon of $400+ each! Plus, I think it looks way better with the aftermarket rims. You NEVER see these cars now a days and I get stopped in mine all the time when I take it out by people who have either never seen one and want to know what it is or people who haven't seen one in decades and they all say the same thing, "I don't remember these cars looking this cool!" LOL. Most people don't realize there was only a very limited number of these produced with the last 4 years 83-86 being the lowest production years. In 1984 they only produced just over 3,600 of the RS 5.0 V8 cars and just over 1,500 RS Turbo 4-cylinder cars. You just don't see these cars anymore!
Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your story. I can remember a lot of people ditching the TRX wheels because of the cost of replacement tires was too high. Centerlines were a good call.
Had a 83 myself. Got it at 4 yo with 26k mi. Loved that car especially since everyone else had mustangs The Capri fenders were much better looking than the mustang lame flairs. The other thing with the TRXs besides being the expensive only tire that fits option is that they just plain sucked. Terrible traction and wear in any weather conditions
My buddy I grew up with owns the 1982 Black Magic Capri his parents bought new. Lets just say we got real lucky one night when we were teenagers and that car is still in beautiful original condition. 😂
Before the end of the 1979 model year Ford ran out of 2.8 V6’s and started installing 3.3 (200) inline six. So I believe that 1979 Foxbody’s were built with: 2.3 4 cylinder base, 2.3 4 cylinder Turbo, 2.8 V6, 3.3 inline 6, 5.0 V8.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Back in the 90’s I talked to a guy who said he owned a 1980 Mustang with a 302. He worked at a motorcycle dealership and I saw the car several times driving by but not up close. Maybe a left over 1979 titled as a 1980? I believe that Ford sold over 300,000 Mustangs for 1979.
First guy that I knew that bought as Capri was a 1980 RS with the inline 6 and a 4 spd. It was a pretty nice car for the time. I ended up a few years later buying a 1982 5.0 RS with the 4spd. Great little all around car for the day.@@TonysFordsandMustangs
@@MustangsTrainsMowers There are so many variables with what Ford did at the factory. I have a friend with a 70 Shelby GT350. I did some research and found out that ALL the 70 Shelby's are 69's with slight alterations and new VIN #'s because they couldn't sell them in 69.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs You were correct about what you said about the 1970 Shellby Cars. There was a article in Hot Rod Magazine in the olden days that said. because of the popularity of the Mach I, Most people wouldn't pay the extra money for a Shelby. Car that was why there were a bunch of 1969 cars left to be sold in 1970, then Ford discontinued them.
I had the 1981 model in light blue with the 5.0 V8 stick shift. It was a fun car to drive. Some lady driving a Honda Accord was a jerk and wouldn't let me merge into the lane and thought she could outrun me. I showed her, lol! I later got the 85 Mustang GT in the same color.
Another thing I thought of. My 83 Capri 5.0 5 speed only option was AC. It didn't even have a passenger door mirror! Imagine that! I had to install one.
I had an '83 5.0 5-speed car around the year 2000. It was substantially quicker than my '83 Mustang so some previous owner must have done some work ito it. Fun car.
I've read somewhere that Ford's plan with would be eventually called the Probe was to release it as the Mustang, while keeping the "Fox Body" Mustang around for a while, calling it the "Mustang Classic" or something like that.
Thank you for watching and I have several Cougar videos on the channel already. Check out the Mercury playlist. th-cam.com/play/PLz2M3b_orpr04wAHgmSoc7yn9yCmsfERz.html
I had the 5.0 manual. Can’t remember which year but the four speed manual was not what I considered performance. I could really tell the lack of that extra gear between 2nd and 3rd shifting. Another guy had the later model with the 5 speed and was so much improved.
Like most posts here I too own a few Capri’s which I enjoyed !! Now I’m the owner of a 85’ Merkur XR4Ti which is being redone. Enjoyed the history of the Capri 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Good video. I'm surprised you didn't mention the Capri ASC McLaren coupe and convertible versions. A friend of mine claims he bought a convertible ASC over a Buick GNX and he owned the car a short period of time before it go away from him and he wrapped it around a utility pole!😮 So like the Mustang of the era, they were no joke.
@@spudrubble Your number sounds more correct because I saw a few of them in different states at the time. if it was 250 I don't think that would be true
I almost purchased a 1986 ASC McLaren Capri white/orange color combo. All the paperwork was done, all I had to do was sign on the dotted line. I sat down to sign the paperwork and decided not to buy it. The Mercury dealership was pissed lol. Something just didn't feel right, I think it was the color combo, a bit too girlish to me and the price I felt could have been lower. It was the only color they had as it was a unsold 86 and I was buying it in 87. I ended up buying a 1987 Trans Am instead
A friends son worked for Ford Parts Service and got one of these (@86). Took me for a ride one time. I was already completely indoctrinated to all things Fox. That ride didn’t help LOL. It was a white over grey 1986. I had a 1983 Mustang L 4-speed 2.3 at that time. All 88bhp…
As I said in the previous Capri video, I had a 1985 Capri bought new in 1985. It was the GS 5.0 with a 4 speed and it was a beast. When I bought it I wavered between it and a Cougar, I don't remember why I went with the Capri but I enjoyed it for the 3 - 4 years I had it.
I bought an 83 Capri 5.0 5 speed in probably 87 or so. Must have been early 5 speed model as the tunnel cutout looked torched from underneath to make room for shifter. Had to replace rear axle bearings and clutch (it already had been replaced before) at only 30k miles. Went through a couple complete engine mods and my wife drove it when I had 2 boys in car seats yet. Good car (back to stock) with 165k miles and tried to sell it in 97 or so for 2500 and no one was interested. Only problem is the black paint was starting to peel on roof.
One reason for sales drop was 1980 recession, high interest rates kept many out of new cars. By mid 80's Mustang was enough for Ford corporate as their 'Pony car'. L-M dealers wanted to sell more Cougars and bigger cars.
I had an 81. Fairly base, 2.3L. Had a weird German 5 speed where 5th gear was over and back rather than over and up like all others. I loved that car and drove it until it just wouldn't go anymore.
I had two fox body capris back in the day. In 1989, I bought a 1984 2.3 very slow.. I didn't know much about cars back then but I'm pretty sure it did not have the turbo because I could barely make it up a hill if the air conditioner was on.. LOL And then I bought a 1980 Capri with a 5.0. I lived in the rust belt at the time and I bought the car in '93. It had dual exhaust coming out the sides. And they fell off and then I had to get a regular exhaust put on because it was illegal I guess lol.. The prior owner had painted the dash with high gloss paint and on sunny days I could not see a thing. But ultimately I did not pay attention to the oil gauge and then I wound up having a nice little milkshake in the engine and then I sold the car and the guy converted it into a nice mustang looking car with new everything... But I wish I still had one.
I got a 1981 Mustang with the 2.3 Lima engine in 1988 (high school). My god, that thing was a dog. I always liked the look of the bubble window Capris, but at the time, the Mustang, even a dog slow one like mine, was perceived as the cooler car.
I thought it was a significant change that they moved the interior door handles from the bottom of the door ( Mersedes inspired?) to the top in 1980 on both Mustang and Capri . Anyone remember the bottom handle cars?
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Die world, die! Hehe. I made a pretty zippy car back in the day by taking a 72 1600GT with a blown motor and stuck a "big block" 2.8 and 4 speed from a 1976 CII with smashed bodywork. Added headers, duals and a Holley 2 bbl carb to perk it up a little. With the 3.54s out back from the GT it scooted well for its time in that super light car.
@@EffequalsMA I looked into what exactly makes a "generational change" in a car platform and it comes down to the manufacture choice. IF Ford wants to call the new Mustang a new generation S650 versus S550 they can just do it. The 71-73 cars were VERY different than the 65-66 cars however Ford chose to call all of them 1st generation.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Yeah kinda nutty. It's not always clear the distinctions like with the Corvette, for example. Complete redesign, new chassis, etc. Couple wobblies even there, the 61 and 62 cars had bits that ended up in the 63+.
Mercury had some different color combinations but typically the door panels match the interior. You could always dye the the parts that aren't correct. That turns out well when done correctly.
Damn! I miss my 83 red Capri 5.0. I still think the 86 was their best. My friend had one. I wish I would have bought it from him years ago. Things are probably worth big bucks now.
The Capri didn't have "wider fenders & smaller fender flares". The fenders/quarters have "bulges" around the wheel openings & they do not gave any "flare" around the edge of the wheel opening at all. The taillights weren't "dark tinted". They were red like any other taillight but had black ribs/fins.
@4:16 that's not a 3.3L v-6 it's a inline 6. Supposedly it was available since late 1979. They could not keep up with v-6 production. It was also the standard engine in other fox based cars. I actually want to buy an inline 6 Capri because I am weird that way.
Yes I did. The use of six cylinder in these cars is confusing sorry about the mistake they had 2.8 L OHV V6, 3.3 L OHV I6, 3.8 L OHV V6 and during the early years they would substitute the straight 6 for the V6 based on supply. Thanks for watching and for your understanding.
'86 didn't come with Recaro seats (Recaros were only available '79-'82). They were called sprot seats & the "halo" headrest was deliberately fashioned to mimic the Recaros (the Recaro headrest had mesh/netting in the opening, the Ford sport seats headrest did not, they were just "open".
i was a sad day when Ford dropped the 302 for teh 255, That engine made the RS mean Real shitty. When ford made the 302 Ho available in 1982 it brought back a car that was long missed.
Why would that be a reason, the mustang has the same TRX wheel/suspension package, stuck with the 390mm Michelins. They sucked just as bad for both cars. The cars were virtually identical. Except the Capri actually had better tougher looking fenders
They were only an optional whee,l not standard. They were optional on the Mustang (standard on '79 Pace Car & '79-'81 Cobra), T-birds, Cougar & IIRC, even the Fairmont, too.
@@foxfordcatguy2283 The wheels were part of a package that included little traction bars in the rear to help stop wheel hop. Along with sway bars and springs. A very important part of getting the wheels with other components. After that they were replaced with the quad shocks package to help mitigate the wheel hop traction issue, neither could really eliminate it. Nothing could make the crappy Michelins any better either, one tire choice really sucked. The best part of finally getting 15s in 85. The best year for both. Last carb year and better power than 86
My Mom Had Purchased A 1983 Mercury Capri - L Trim W / Automatic - Wondering What Engine It Had In It ? - Was A Nice Car ! - Than My Mom Bought A New 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Sedan SL Trim With The Quad4 Engine / Automatic
It's unfortunately easy to see why they killed it off after 86 seeing how the sales figures started strong in 79 and were dismal at best by 86. You used my crimson cat engine pic and interior pic presumably from my bat auction listing, I enjoy your accuracy in content/fact delivery.
I think the Capri's biggest hurdle was it was competing with the Mustang at a price disadvantage. I will grab a from a completed BAT auction now and again IF I can't find anything from Ford. I hope you were happy to see it and thanks for the kind words.
I remember the Capris, when I was I college in the 80s was not uncommon a long with the Fox Mustang. Most were 4 or 6 cylinders. Regardless, they didn’t get much respect and got abused just as bad as the 5.0s and from neglect.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs If you look in the Ford parts book, the headlight surrounds are listed as Headlight doors. You were correct in the first place.
Always liked the fox body capri, never realized the production numbers were so low, or that it was killed after 1986. The 2.3 engine, it’s not named after Lima Peru… rather Lima Ohio where it was built. Except, in true American style, we butchered the word up. It’s pronounced with a hard i… Lima, as in Lima bean. I spent a couple years there, and it’s a pretty crappy place to be.
Once me and a friend were traveling to Dayton, Ohio and we discovered my car (Gran Torino) had a hole in the exhaust. We made an emergency stop in Lima and found a repair shop who patched it up for $15. So despite Lima's reputation, they sure came through for me that night.
i had one and so many problems i cant spend the time to name them. after three years of suffering i sold to never buy another ford product. i went to toyota .
Our family has been very pro-American cars but I do not understand why they would discontinue the good cars. The Capri were actually better than Mustang but they killed the Capri. My 1983 Capri RS 5.0 was much better than my 1984 Mustang GT 5.0.
Mercury's were mostly Ford products that were massaged a bit here and there. You see a lot of the same thing today with Kia & Hyundai. Same cars slightly different branding. Thanks for watching!
The Capri was a little bit of a sleeper because many didnt realize dispite looking similar that the RS was basically a Mustang GT and shared all the parts. Also i personally think the fenders on the capri were much better looking than the mustang with the bulge they had a much tougher look above the mustangs soft flairs.
Another thing not to forget is McLaren customized some of these to make them just a little cooler while mustang had the saleen
There were not enough of the McLaren's made for me to cover them in this video.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs I hear you, thought it was worth the mention. There were several thousand made.👍
My brother had an '86 McLaren Capri, white with the orange honeycomb wheels. I totaled it in '87 when a drunk driver plowed into me head on. I loved loved loved that car.
@@AlexanderCrump Man that sucks, it was the last year and they were really cool. I had an '83 RS that was the only one around my town with a sea of friends with mustangs. I saw two McLarens over many years of looking out for them. I'm pretty sure I would have loved it myself especially since I loved mine. The McLaren was the last step up for the Capri. Hope your brother still talks to you. lol
It wasn't really your fault and the experience of being able to drive a great car sticks with you for a life time.
@@plap. The car was very unique. It had the Recaro seats, McLaren extra body molding, and I think my brother said it had some extra mechanical bits too. It had a cell phone installed in it which no one had at the time. I was a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia and he let me have the car there for the weekend. OMG it was fun driving around school with that. It sounded great and it was really fast. That 302 was awesome and the engine and engine just sounded great. The car had every option including T-top. A friend and I were driving up to Wintergreen mountain resort around midnight to take a break from studying and a drunk guy coming down the mountain plowed into us headon. I made it out of the car OK but it ended up going up in flames. My brother is very cool and was not worried about the car at all. I think he bought a Mercedes after that. I think that model was called the McLaren Euro Coupe. White with orange honeycomb wheels, orange pinstriping, gray interior. It was very sharp at the time.
Thank you for this video!!
I owned an '84 Capri RS 5.0 5spd, no a/c, no power windows or door locks. My first car out of high school. I LOVED IT!!
Got rear-ended by a FORD F250, bent the frame and Allstate totaled the car. Hindsight is 20/20...
I should have done the salvage title, had the frame straightened, and I would still be driving that Capri, to this day!!
Your reporting of the declining production numbers, year to year, is eye-opening!! It shows how ridiculously rare, these cars really are...
Particularly, the rear bubble-hatch models, which I am very partial too.
My advice is to find any of these cars, NOW, before the collector car market learns about them!!!!
These cars value should climb right along with the Foxbody Mustangs.
Love the old commercials. They take me back to the day. Thanks for taking the time to me these. Great job!
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!
82 Capri RS two tone blue, custom wheels and straight pipes, best looking car ever owned, too bad it was my buddies, I had an '85 5.0 Thunderbird
I had a 1981 Mercury Capri GS with a sunroof and FOUR CYLINDERS! Yikes! The 4 banger was too, too weak! It was a stick shift and I didn't know how to drive one. My best friend taught me how to drive it. I bought it used just out of high school in 1987 (a year out of high school - now you know how old I am). YIKES!
Congrats on the big 5 digit achievement! I’m a particular fan of the 1983~ Capris
Thanks Conner!
I remember when Ford considered the 1987 Mustang to be a Mazda built, FWD car. Boy did they get a LOT of hate mail on that one!!!! Started seeing the spy shots of the revised front, rear and interior of the new 87 Mustang and we were all excited. Ordered a new triple black 87 GT with T-tops, leather, 5 speed and optional 3.08 traction lock rear end. What a beautiful car when it showed up and my local dealership.
That's exactly why they kept denying the Mock Me would be badged a Mustang.
No, the '87 was not going to be the FWD Mazda. '87 might be the year their plan leaked out but the FWD Mazda Mustang was going to be an '89. Because of the outcry the FWD Mazda Mustang's name was changed to "Probe", but it still came out as planned in '89, not '87.
Another great story ! Those 87 , 88 Mercury Cougars mentioned at th end were fantastic cars. My mom has an 88 5.0.... thing was a sleeper, was pretty sporty amd could lay rubber with those wire wheels and white wall tires 😉
Thank you and thanks for sharing!
The Cougar XR-7s with the 2.3 turbo were fun. I test drove one with a 5-speed manual. Such fun driving a larger car with a manual. It wasn't particularly fast but it looked great and was a blast to drive.
Bought my 83 rs bubble back used in the early 90's (94 i believe) driven daily for several years until a deer ran into the driver's side and did some damage. Started reviving the old girl in Jan 24. Long ways to go, but its only got 133,000 km's on it. Still looks great with the trx package and an upgraded toploader r spd to replace ruined factory 4 spd.❤
Best of luck with your project and thanks for watching!
When I was a kid one of my friends dads had a 5.0 one of these. Always thought it was cool. Always enjoy these videos of forgotten or lesser known cars! Glad you add the commercials too, the way the made 80s commercials was awesome, lol.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching Mac!
Great Video and information! I still have my 1984 Mercury Capri RS with a V8 that I got from my father, and he bought the car new in 1983. It still has the factory oxford white paint with the tri-color stripe kit. I lowered the stance of mine but unfortunately because the original factory 5.0 motor broke the crank and block, I ended up having to use a newer style roller block from a later model Mustang that was stroked to 347. I liked the increased HP but was bummed that the factory motor was no longer in the car. I put wide Centerline Scorpion rims on it because the factory TRX tires were WAY too much money to the toon of $400+ each! Plus, I think it looks way better with the aftermarket rims. You NEVER see these cars now a days and I get stopped in mine all the time when I take it out by people who have either never seen one and want to know what it is or people who haven't seen one in decades and they all say the same thing, "I don't remember these cars looking this cool!" LOL. Most people don't realize there was only a very limited number of these produced with the last 4 years 83-86 being the lowest production years. In 1984 they only produced just over 3,600 of the RS 5.0 V8 cars and just over 1,500 RS Turbo 4-cylinder cars. You just don't see these cars anymore!
Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your story. I can remember a lot of people ditching the TRX wheels because of the cost of replacement tires was too high. Centerlines were a good call.
Had a 83 myself. Got it at 4 yo with 26k mi. Loved that car especially since everyone else had mustangs The Capri fenders were much better looking than the mustang lame flairs. The other thing with the TRXs besides being the expensive only tire that fits option is that they just plain sucked. Terrible traction and wear in any weather conditions
1982 Capri RS was my favorite of all 80s Capris.
My buddy I grew up with owns the 1982 Black Magic Capri his parents bought new. Lets just say we got real lucky one night when we were teenagers and that car is still in beautiful original condition. 😂
good luck is called good for a reason.
If Ford had test mules, mock ups or drawings of never built 1987 SVO and Capris I’d love to see them.
You and me both.
Before the end of the 1979 model year Ford ran out of 2.8 V6’s and started installing 3.3 (200) inline six. So I believe that 1979 Foxbody’s were built with:
2.3 4 cylinder base,
2.3 4 cylinder Turbo,
2.8 V6,
3.3 inline 6,
5.0 V8.
Sounds correct. It's not noted in the Capri literature and that's all I had to work with on this video.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs
Back in the 90’s I talked to a guy who said he owned a 1980 Mustang with a 302. He worked at a motorcycle dealership and I saw the car several times driving by but not up close. Maybe a left over 1979 titled as a 1980? I believe that Ford sold over 300,000 Mustangs for 1979.
First guy that I knew that bought as Capri was a 1980 RS with the inline 6 and a 4 spd. It was a pretty nice car for the time. I ended up a few years later buying a 1982 5.0 RS with the 4spd. Great little all around car for the day.@@TonysFordsandMustangs
@@MustangsTrainsMowers There are so many variables with what Ford did at the factory. I have a friend with a 70 Shelby GT350. I did some research and found out that ALL the 70 Shelby's are 69's with slight alterations and new VIN #'s because they couldn't sell them in 69.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs You were correct about what you said about the 1970 Shellby Cars. There was a article in Hot Rod Magazine in the olden days that said. because of the popularity of the
Mach I, Most people wouldn't pay the extra money for a Shelby. Car that was why there were a bunch of 1969 cars left to be sold in 1970, then Ford discontinued them.
Seen someone driving the 5.0 with rear bubble window not too long ago. Always thought the Mercs were pretty cool. Thx Tony!👍
I wish they had saved Mercury, anotyer great video Tony. Thanks for sharing sir!
Thanks for watching!
I had the 1981 model in light blue with the 5.0 V8 stick shift. It was a fun car to drive. Some lady driving a Honda Accord was a jerk and wouldn't let me merge into the lane and thought she could outrun me. I showed her, lol! I later got the 85 Mustang GT in the same color.
Another thing I thought of. My 83 Capri 5.0 5 speed only option was AC. It didn't even have a passenger door mirror! Imagine that! I had to install one.
I had an '83 5.0 5-speed car around the year 2000. It was substantially quicker than my '83 Mustang so some previous owner must have done some work ito it. Fun car.
Awesome thanks for sharing.
Nice review and to date the best representation of Mercury Capri.
Thank You
Thank you very much! I do the best I can for a one man show.
Loved the Capri. Wishing that I could find one of these beauty's today.
Best of luck and thanks for watching!
I've read somewhere that Ford's plan with would be eventually called the Probe was to release it as the Mustang, while keeping the "Fox Body" Mustang around for a while, calling it the "Mustang Classic" or something like that.
That's pretty much sums up it up. Thanks for watching!
DO a Mercury Cougar video! Fox and MN12! I had 2 MN12 Cougar XR7s. One auto, one manual with the Supercharged V6. Very neat car.
Thank you for watching and I have several Cougar videos on the channel already. Check out the Mercury playlist. th-cam.com/play/PLz2M3b_orpr04wAHgmSoc7yn9yCmsfERz.html
The 1982 with the special black package and the big V8. Nice...
I had the 5.0 manual. Can’t remember which year but the four speed manual was not what I considered performance. I could really tell the lack of that extra gear between 2nd and 3rd shifting. Another guy had the later model with the 5 speed and was so much improved.
Like most posts here I too own a few Capri’s which I enjoyed !! Now I’m the owner of a 85’ Merkur XR4Ti which is being redone. Enjoyed the history of the Capri 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Thank you for your comment and for watching! It is appreciated!!
Oh snap i didnt know you made this thanks mine is a 84 turbo rs with t tops
Good video. I'm surprised you didn't mention the Capri ASC McLaren coupe and convertible versions. A friend of mine claims he bought a convertible ASC over a Buick GNX and he owned the car a short period of time before it go away from him and he wrapped it around a utility pole!😮 So like the Mustang of the era, they were no joke.
I thought about it but there were so few of them built (roughly 250) that it didn't make sense to add the time to the video.
Actually the total run was 2678 of the ASC Mclaren Capris.
@@spudrubble Your number sounds more correct because I saw a few of them in different states at the time. if it was 250 I don't think that would be true
I almost purchased a 1986 ASC McLaren Capri white/orange color combo. All the paperwork was done, all I had to do was sign on the dotted line. I sat down to sign the paperwork and decided not to buy it. The Mercury dealership was pissed lol. Something just didn't feel right, I think it was the color combo, a bit too girlish to me and the price I felt could have been lower. It was the only color they had as it was a unsold 86 and I was buying it in 87. I ended up buying a 1987 Trans Am instead
I always liked the Capri's but couldn't justify having one when I always had at least one Mustang in the stable already.
The 2.3L NA is actually a 2bbl engine, using an Holley 5200, a Weber 32/36 made under license.
Had a 1981 capri black magic 5.0 also a 1982 gs capri 5.0 and a 1985 capri bubble back 5.0 definitely my favorite cars
Thanks for watching!
'80-'81 was not available with 5.0, only V8 available was 4.2/255 - an "under bored" 302.
@@foxfordcatguy2283 yes but I took that boat anchor out and put in a 302
My uncle had a 1980 Capri with a 200 straight 6
A friends son worked for Ford Parts Service and got one of these (@86). Took me for a ride one time. I was already completely indoctrinated to all things Fox. That ride didn’t help LOL.
It was a white over grey 1986. I had a 1983 Mustang L 4-speed 2.3 at that time. All 88bhp…
Thanks for sharing Brad!
As I said in the previous Capri video, I had a 1985 Capri bought new in 1985. It was the GS 5.0 with a 4 speed and it was a beast. When I bought it I wavered between it and a Cougar, I don't remember why I went with the Capri but I enjoyed it for the 3 - 4 years I had it.
I guess you saw the Cougar next to the Capri, and you quickly made your mind.
The Cougar of that generation wasn't exactly a looker.
Bought a new 84 RS in white...long live box flares....traded it in 88 for a stang GT
I bought an 83 Capri 5.0 5 speed in probably 87 or so. Must have been early 5 speed model as the tunnel cutout looked torched from underneath to make room for shifter. Had to replace rear axle bearings and clutch (it already had been replaced before) at only 30k miles. Went through a couple complete engine mods and my wife drove it when I had 2 boys in car seats yet. Good car (back to stock) with 165k miles and tried to sell it in 97 or so for 2500 and no one was interested. Only problem is the black paint was starting to peel on roof.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
One reason for sales drop was 1980 recession, high interest rates kept many out of new cars. By mid 80's Mustang was enough for Ford corporate as their 'Pony car'. L-M dealers wanted to sell more Cougars and bigger cars.
I had an 81. Fairly base, 2.3L. Had a weird German 5 speed where 5th gear was over and back rather than over and up like all others. I loved that car and drove it until it just wouldn't go anymore.
Thanks for watching and sharing your story. That's why they build them.
I had two fox body capris back in the day. In 1989, I bought a 1984 2.3 very slow.. I didn't know much about cars back then but I'm pretty sure it did not have the turbo because I could barely make it up a hill if the air conditioner was on.. LOL And then I bought a 1980 Capri with a 5.0. I lived in the rust belt at the time and I bought the car in '93. It had dual exhaust coming out the sides. And they fell off and then I had to get a regular exhaust put on because it was illegal I guess lol.. The prior owner had painted the dash with high gloss paint and on sunny days I could not see a thing. But ultimately I did not pay attention to the oil gauge and then I wound up having a nice little milkshake in the engine and then I sold the car and the guy converted it into a nice mustang looking car with new everything... But I wish I still had one.
Thanks for sharing your story and for watching!
my father had the black magic capri when he came to the US from europe.
I got a 1981 Mustang with the 2.3 Lima engine in 1988 (high school). My god, that thing was a dog. I always liked the look of the bubble window Capris, but at the time, the Mustang, even a dog slow one like mine, was perceived as the cooler car.
Ford and others were just starting to figure out how to combine lower emissions and gas mileage. Horsepower came a few years.
Ford Capri Germany is a fast car for sure.
I thought it was a significant change that they moved the interior door handles from the bottom of the door ( Mersedes inspired?) to the top in 1980 on both Mustang and Capri . Anyone remember the bottom handle cars?
Hey, it's the third gen, if you count the Capri II in 1976, which was a pretty significant redesign :)
I get it but, most of the world considers it second gen including Mercury and they are the one that ultimately name the generations not us.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Die world, die! Hehe. I made a pretty zippy car back in the day by taking a 72 1600GT with a blown motor and stuck a "big block" 2.8 and 4 speed from a 1976 CII with smashed bodywork. Added headers, duals and a Holley 2 bbl carb to perk it up a little. With the 3.54s out back from the GT it scooted well for its time in that super light car.
@@EffequalsMA I looked into what exactly makes a "generational change" in a car platform and it comes down to the manufacture choice. IF Ford wants to call the new Mustang a new generation S650 versus S550 they can just do it. The 71-73 cars were VERY different than the 65-66 cars however Ford chose to call all of them 1st generation.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Yeah kinda nutty. It's not always clear the distinctions like with the Corvette, for example. Complete redesign, new chassis, etc. Couple wobblies even there, the 61 and 62 cars had bits that ended up in the 63+.
I would definitely take a second generation 5.0 L Capri over an 5.0 Mustang any day of the week !!
Had one converted to drag car .
Hi hope you can help i bought a 1982 capri the outside color is blue the seats or blue the interior paint and door panels or. Brown is this correct
Mercury had some different color combinations but typically the door panels match the interior. You could always dye the the parts that aren't correct. That turns out well when done correctly.
Damn! I miss my 83 red Capri 5.0. I still think the 86 was their best. My friend had one. I wish I would have bought it from him years ago. Things are probably worth big bucks now.
They are not quite caught up in the Foxbody craze just yet. I would expect that's not far down the road.
The Capri didn't have "wider fenders & smaller fender flares". The fenders/quarters have "bulges" around the wheel openings & they do not gave any "flare" around the edge of the wheel opening at all.
The taillights weren't "dark tinted". They were red like any other taillight but had black ribs/fins.
Also, the Cougar was still based on the pony car/ Mustang chassis for '71-'73.
I liked the styling of the Fox body Capri slightly better than the Mustang
@4:16 that's not a 3.3L v-6 it's a inline 6. Supposedly it was available since late 1979. They could not keep up with v-6 production. It was also the standard engine in other fox based cars. I actually want to buy an inline 6 Capri because I am weird that way.
An Inline 6 is a very reliable and easy to maintain engine nothing weird about it.
I knew they didn't sell very well, but those are some grim numbers.
They did well out of the gate but stumbled quickly.
You accidentally said 3.3L V6. Ford installed 3.3L inline 6 cylinders from mid 1979 to 1982. A 3.8L V6 replaced the 3.3L I6 in 1983.
Yes I did. The use of six cylinder in these cars is confusing sorry about the mistake they had 2.8 L OHV V6, 3.3 L OHV I6, 3.8 L OHV V6 and during the early years they would substitute the straight 6 for the V6 based on supply. Thanks for watching and for your understanding.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs I really enjoy your channel. Keep up the informative work 👍 👏
3,3 inline6. The v6 was aftr
The 86 capri 5.0 was a cool car. It had a good look and the 5.0 5 speed with the Recaro seats. Very sharp
'86 didn't come with Recaro seats (Recaros were only available '79-'82). They were called sprot seats & the "halo" headrest was deliberately fashioned to mimic the Recaros (the Recaro headrest had mesh/netting in the opening, the Ford sport seats headrest did not, they were just "open".
i was a sad day when Ford dropped the 302 for teh 255, That engine made the RS mean Real shitty. When ford made the 302 Ho available in 1982 it brought back a car that was long missed.
Agreed!
Mercury Capri had a meaner looking front end and nicer tailights
'79-'82 Capri taillights were cool, '83-'86 are horrible.
Very comprehensive upload ! That wiz track was amusing too ! Those 15.3 wheels Probably 1 reason the capri dissapeared.
Thanks for the kind words and for watching!
Why would that be a reason, the mustang has the same TRX wheel/suspension package, stuck with the 390mm Michelins. They sucked just as bad for both cars. The cars were virtually identical. Except the Capri actually had better tougher looking fenders
They were only an optional whee,l not standard. They were optional on the Mustang (standard on '79 Pace Car & '79-'81 Cobra), T-birds, Cougar & IIRC, even the Fairmont, too.
Also, the 390mm TRX wheels were only available in '79-'84. For '85 they were replaced with the now famous "10-hole" (a.k.a. "phone dial) 15" wheels.
@@foxfordcatguy2283 The wheels were part of a package that included little traction bars in the rear to help stop wheel hop. Along with sway bars and springs. A very important part of getting the wheels with other components. After that they were replaced with the quad shocks package to help mitigate the wheel hop traction issue, neither could really eliminate it. Nothing could make the crappy Michelins any better either, one tire choice really sucked. The best part of finally getting 15s in 85. The best year for both. Last carb year and better power than 86
My Mom Had Purchased A 1983 Mercury Capri - L Trim W / Automatic - Wondering What Engine It Had In It ? - Was A Nice Car ! - Than My Mom Bought A New 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Sedan SL Trim With The Quad4 Engine / Automatic
It's unfortunately easy to see why they killed it off after 86 seeing how the sales figures started strong in 79 and were dismal at best by 86. You used my crimson cat engine pic and interior pic presumably from my bat auction listing, I enjoy your accuracy in content/fact delivery.
I think the Capri's biggest hurdle was it was competing with the Mustang at a price disadvantage. I will grab a from a completed BAT auction now and again IF I can't find anything from Ford. I hope you were happy to see it and thanks for the kind words.
I remember the Capris, when I was I college in the 80s was not uncommon a long with the Fox Mustang. Most were 4 or 6 cylinders. Regardless, they didn’t get much respect and got abused just as bad as the 5.0s and from neglect.
3.3 was an inline 1981
Thanks for watching! I'm rarely 100% correct!
They only made 415 83 RS Turbos and I have one
That's very awesome! Thanks for sharing!
head light doors?
You caught me. Head light bezels. I don't catch all the mistakes. I'm sure it was written correctly.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs If you look in the Ford parts book, the headlight surrounds are listed as Headlight doors. You were correct in the first place.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs i was wracking my brain, trying to remember ever seeing a Capri with hideaway lights lol
@@mylanmiller9656 It happens thanks for verifying.
Always liked the fox body capri, never realized the production numbers were so low, or that it was killed after 1986.
The 2.3 engine, it’s not named after Lima Peru… rather Lima Ohio where it was built. Except, in true American style, we butchered the word up. It’s pronounced with a hard i… Lima, as in Lima bean. I spent a couple years there, and it’s a pretty crappy place to be.
Thanks for sharing!
Once me and a friend were traveling to Dayton, Ohio and we discovered my car (Gran Torino) had a hole in the exhaust. We made an emergency stop in Lima and found a repair shop who patched it up for $15. So despite Lima's reputation, they sure came through for me that night.
Too bad the Capri wasn't a great seller... Actually a pretty sharp car...
Agreed.
Interesting = I always thought mercury was dublicates of fords; just more luxury = Jacksonville beach Florida
Not always. Sometime they just had to be different enough. :)
Gr8 synopsis of the demise of THIS CATS 9LIVES...mazfa#probe#MERCOR...
You completely ignored the ASC/McLaren Capris
That's because there were so few made. It's not a car that many people have memories about owning.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs And yet, party of the Fox Body Capri story. I've had three.
i had one and so many problems i cant spend the time to name them. after three years of suffering i sold to never buy another ford product. i went to toyota .
Our family has been very pro-American cars but I do not understand why they would discontinue the good cars. The Capri were actually better than Mustang but they killed the Capri. My 1983 Capri RS 5.0 was much better than my 1984 Mustang GT 5.0.
Ford Seria XF4i lol
They look like a mustang
Mercury's were mostly Ford products that were massaged a bit here and there. You see a lot of the same thing today with Kia & Hyundai. Same cars slightly different branding. Thanks for watching!
200 I6. (3.3L) Not a V6!!