Ford Capri, it might have looked like these !!
Discussion
I'm glad they went with the c shaped rear window and fat C-pillar but I wish Ford would have given it hips, elongated the boot slightly and a used the rear window and C pillar to get a coke bottle shape. It would look more muscular, American and less European - the Firenza had that curved rear window too - it must have been a styling device that was popular at the time when coke bottles and flared hips were starting to become less fashionable, which is a shame because that is my favorite look for a car.
I've sketched what I mean over this image.
I've sketched what I mean over this image.
RV8 said:
I'm glad they went with the c shaped rear window and fat C-pillar but I wish Ford would have given it hips, elongated the boot slightly and a used the rear window and C pillar to get a coke bottle shape. It would look more muscular, American and less European - the Firenza had that curved rear window too - it must have been a styling device that was popular at the time when coke bottles and flared hips were starting to become less fashionable, which is a shame because that is my favorite look for a car.
I've sketched what I mean over this image.
That bottom one looks like a Taunus coupe at the rear probably why they steered away from it ?I've sketched what I mean over this image.
NHK244V said:
That bottom one looks like a Taunus coupe at the rear probably why they steered away from it ?
It looked like they'd toyed with the idea of a coke bottle shape on this image.
That would be a MK1 shape though, I'd guess by the time they reached the Mk2 and Mk3 (which I sketched over) that coke bottle shape was starting to look dated. Because they went with the C shaped window on the mk1 it became a familiar styling trick used on later models - had they gone for a coke bottle shape in the first place... I think going for the coke bottle on the mk2 and 3 capri would have been seen as a step backwards unless the styling was carried across from the mk1 in the first place, in which case it which would have predated the Taunus you refer to.
You are right that the Taunus (and the Mk3 cortina) had a similar shape to the rear additionally other cars at the time, like the Vauxhall Ventora, also had this shape but I think the coke bottle shape was a dated styling gimmick rather than any mix up or identity issues over models in the ford range.
The taunus/mk3 cortina was available in saloon, coupe, 2 door or 4 door, estate and ute/pick-up just like the mk3 (basically the same car but badged differently for the rest of europe and SA, narrower bonnet hump and the taunus was more of a mk3/4 crossover in terms of swage lines) the mk3 was also available as a crayford convertible, dunno about the taunus. With respect to all of this the capri was a stand-alone coupe (or lift back on the mk2 + 3, if you prefer accuracy) and the only options were really wether you wanted a performance version wit decent trim level or not so there was never going to be an identity issue between these ford models even if styling elements were similar because they were appealing to different markets. In fact it's not uncommon for manufacturers to carry styling cues across a range to form a brand identity.
The crazy thing is that the styling I'm on about has come full circle, the new Challenger, Charger, Camaro, Avenger (which carries the cues from the much bigger Charger albeit watered down for the european market), 2010 Mustang.... all have a defined coke bottle shape. This element of styling gives the car a chucky arse and combined with a long bonnet is the best look any styling house has conceived imo - you even get massively pushed versions of this concept like the Buick boat tail Riviera. The capri is a cracking looking car but I still think with the long bonnet it's got a stubby arse, in the same way the bmw 3 series compact looks proportionally unbalanced.
Discovered this excellent thread today via another source - have seen many of these pics before but not as a collection.
The design mock-ups in pic 4 based on a Mk1 are especially interesting, hadn't seen this pic before.
Pic 5 rh top show drawing of what could have been - period late 70s Mk2 Granada-styled front, looks a bit like an Opel Monza. Would have been better with a slight curve to the end of the rear side window to retain the C-shape.
Thx to OP.
early capri mk1 prototypes did not have the classic curved 3/4 rear window , they were oblong
during testing , they were enlarged to the familiar rounded curved ones that have become symbolic with Capri design because rear passengers complained of lack of vision
[/URL]
The earliest pre production prototypes were on an F plate . Normal production mk1'S came out in 1969 on G plates
For thos that wanted the wasp wasted coke bottle look , your wish was granted in 1970 , when Ford started their racing program and produced the RS Cologne bodied 2600.
my 1970 mk1 3 liter Cologne "sans engine" on its way to France.
during testing , they were enlarged to the familiar rounded curved ones that have become symbolic with Capri design because rear passengers complained of lack of vision
[/URL]The earliest pre production prototypes were on an F plate . Normal production mk1'S came out in 1969 on G plates
For thos that wanted the wasp wasted coke bottle look , your wish was granted in 1970 , when Ford started their racing program and produced the RS Cologne bodied 2600.
my 1970 mk1 3 liter Cologne "sans engine" on its way to France.
Edited by DBSV8 on Saturday 25th May 12:32
I always consider this the Capri Mk1...
Surely Fords prettiest effort
Do any Ford AVO 3ltr V6 rallycross cars survive with the DAF variomatic transmission?
or 4WD?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
Surely Fords prettiest effort
Do any Ford AVO 3ltr V6 rallycross cars survive with the DAF variomatic transmission?
or 4WD?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
Edited by Upatdawn on Saturday 25th May 13:11
Upatdawn said:
I always consider this the Capri Mk1...
Surely Fords prettiest effort
Do any Ford AVO 3ltr V6 rallycross cars survive with the DAF variomatic transmission?
or 4WD?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
Maybe the Consul Capri is where the window shape for the 70s Capris came from, quite similar in outline - would love one like the above! Surely Fords prettiest effort
Do any Ford AVO 3ltr V6 rallycross cars survive with the DAF variomatic transmission?
or 4WD?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
Edited by Upatdawn on Saturday 25th May 13:11
Upatdawn said:
Do any Ford AVO 3ltr V6 rallycross cars survive with the DAF variomatic transmission?
or 4WD?
Funnily enough I was shown a capri 4WD shell yesterday at a capri specialist's workshop. Had a complete shell refurb years ago but is totally stripped down. or 4WD?
Edited by Upatdawn on Saturday 25th May 13:11
DBSV8 said:
early capri mk1 prototypes did not have the classic curved 3/4 rear window , they were oblong
during testing , they were enlarged to the familiar rounded curved ones that have become symbolic with Capri design because rear passengers complained of lack of vision
[/URL]
The earliest pre production prototypes were on an F plate . Normal production mk1'S came out in 1969 on G plates
For thos that wanted the wasp wasted coke bottle look , your wish was granted in 1970 , when Ford started their racing program and produced the RS Cologne bodied 2600.
my 1970 mk1 3 liter Cologne "sans engine" on its way to France.
You have posted about the rear window beating me to it, however that Capri of yours is now my favourite car on PH, have you done a thread on it, have you anymore pictures of it, would you ever sell it?during testing , they were enlarged to the familiar rounded curved ones that have become symbolic with Capri design because rear passengers complained of lack of vision
[/URL]The earliest pre production prototypes were on an F plate . Normal production mk1'S came out in 1969 on G plates
For thos that wanted the wasp wasted coke bottle look , your wish was granted in 1970 , when Ford started their racing program and produced the RS Cologne bodied 2600.
my 1970 mk1 3 liter Cologne "sans engine" on its way to France.
Edited by DBSV8 on Saturday 25th May 12:32
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