Unloved Autos: 1985 Capri GS v. RS controversy and Spotlight

In the second of the Spotlight Series, we take a look at my 21-years owned 1985 Mercury Capri 5.0L and the 1985 RS v. GS trim level dispute that has been ongoing in the Capri community for years.

[@VooDooDaddy46]

I had a very similar car, only mine was a 4 cylinder. Same color, same interior, and mine was a manual. I bought is for $500 and drove it daily for almost 5 years, ending in 2007. I had to scrap it because the unibody in the middle of the car was almost rusted out, and it had over 200,000 miles on it. It never burned, or leaked a drop of oil and started every time I got in it, even in the harshest Midwestern winters. It was a gutless turd, but the mileage was great and it was the most reliable car I ever owned. At the time, my now ex-wife was in nursing school and we had two small children at home and I could not afford any other car. If I remember correctly it was "Jalapeno red" so I called it the Jalapeno Popper. Thank you for this video. It brought back some good memories of having a young, beautiful wife and two lovely boys, in other words, a family which I miss terribly.

[@vegasstang1]

My first 5.0 was an 83 Capri RS T Top 4 speed car bought in 86 when I was 18 years old. Had 20k miles on it. I drove it for a couple of years then got an 85 5.0 Notch Mustang. Then my 3rd foxbody was an 85 Capri RS with the CFI and AOD trans. Brings back great memories!

[@CraigSmith-qq3sr]

I got a 86 Capri 5.0 when I graduated high school in 86, same color combo and was cheaper on insurance than the mustang. I miss that car so much.😊

[@tekmickey]

My first car in high school was a 1983 Capri (Red) 4 cylinder/ 4 speed hatch.

[@8t7_foxbody99]

I used to own that car and I had the lower repainted after replacing the front air damn from hitting a raccoon. It was slightly off so the rest of the lower was resprayed to match the front air dam and the GS I put on there for no reason but to confuse my buddies since it didn’t have the RS badges.

[@JimHirsch]

What a way to start your obsession! Not many buck tags remained on these since those radiator core supports got trashed with so many front end accidents. You’ve got a unique one there 👀

[@MrJeffRomm]

I had the exact same Capri, except mine had T-tops. Bought it brand new in ‘86. Always thought these were great looking cars. I traded it in on a new ‘88 Saleen Mustang.

[@codyluka8355]

I had an '86 Capri GS! Drove it for many years and was a great car. Red and charcoal just like this.

[@passinggear]

I had an 85 GS H.O. like your red one. I also had a 79 RS which was a turbo 2.3. I always thought the GS stood for Get Sideways. I had a lot of stupid fun in that GS.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

I have an '80 Capri Ghia, it has an 87 GT spoiler, and '88 GT turbine wheels. It is getting an LH6 5.3 next year. There's nothing quite like a 2400 lb Fox with 400+ horsepower.

[@jasonpotter3383]

I had an ASC McLaren like your red one 1985

[@bellasteppars8772]

There is a 1966 Ford pick up truck there. I would love that. It says mercury on it so it’s a Canadian truck. I would love that truck.

[@kravin74]

While working storm damage after hurricane Katrina at one of the last houses after almost 2 months getting power back there was a Capri . The guy had bought it brand new, one owner but it was pretty worn out. He had it in his youth and even ran it in the family car duties. He was at the point he knew he'd never be able to fix it up and I bought it for a few hundred bucks. I haven't been able to find another one just like it and was hoping maybe you could tell me if it was unusual or not. I ended up selling it but I have wanted another one pretty bad. Ok it was definitely a black 1983 Mercury Capri 5.0 with a four speed manual transmission ( which I liked a lot because the 5 speed redlines in first so fast and the four speed first gear went a while) it had T tops and red RS graphics on the front fender and it had this cool looking but non functional hood scoop that I'd be willing to bet was not aftermarket. I believe it was McPherson struts. Anyway I have never been able to find another one online that was a 5.0 four speed RS. If you can tell me anything about it or your thoughts I would appreciate it. I think these cars are super cool. I was a child of the 80's and class of 92 so Fox Body Mustangs were a big part of my life. And the Mercury Capri is just a little something different than everyone else.

[@MintyFreshTurds]

I like the really big hatch glass.

[@chevyman8784]

As for the two tone option only being available on a RS I'm not so sure about that. I just bought a 86 GS 3.8L one owner with 33000 original documented kilometers. And it is a two tone medium canyon red upper with charcoal bottom original paint.

[@lisam4503]

I knew someone back in the late 80's that got a deal on one with a blown four banger in it. He did a 5.0 swap into it. I was never into the 5.0 cars. I always loved my V-8 Mopars. I did have an 88 Dodge Daytona that was a fun car to drive and then a 91 Plymouth Laser. Both four bangers and neither I would 've been afraid to run a 5.0 with.

[@vegasstang1]

I always thought the 86 model year were GSs. All of the 5.0 Capri gs I've seen were 86 models.

[@savedin87ify]

Had a buddy who had a 85 dark blue RS. 5 speed it was fast

[@nonwannab68]

had same car same color v8

[@Lesfenderpaul]

Had one just like it.