RE: SOTW: Ford Capri Mk3
Discussion
Best cars ever made in my humble opinion (I AM being serious). Yes, later cars are far faster, safer and reliable. They're also terminally dull. Trust me; you never get bored in a Capri!
I've had a 1.6 Laser, 2 L Laser which was extensively modified and a 2.8 Injection Special - also modded but sadly written off by a f
king tt in a Corsa.
The only cars I owned between 1998 - 2006 were Capri’s, and my favourite memory could possibly be driving down from Nottinghamshire to Cornwall in 1999 for the eclipse that year in my dodgy white 1.6 Laser. The night before I'd set off I'd dropped a scapyard special engine in (cost 35 quid IIRC). Steady 70 all the way to Cornwall and back and it never missed a beat! Oh, and driving back from the in-laws (at the time) in Norfolk to Nottingham in my 2.8 in heavy snow on untreated roads was 'interesting' - didn't crash, ha!
As regards Rover V8 engines being drooped in, I've often though 'why?'. Rover V8 lump ain't that powerful (approx 170 'horse) and the go-faster bits are VERY pricey. Either stick the 2.9 24 valve Cossie V6 in or go for a yank V8 - 5.7 Chevy anyone? Saying that, more than 200 ish BHP in my opinion is a bit OTT.
Zetec: they do fit but you have sod around an awful lot changing the cooling system (water rail & thermostat etc on the Zetec is in the wrong place as it was designed for FWD applications only).
Yep, if I ever have any luck on the Lotto, the first, the VERY first thing I'd do would be Capri shopping.
As I said earlier, best cars ever made (I'm off to slip into something flameproof).
I've had a 1.6 Laser, 2 L Laser which was extensively modified and a 2.8 Injection Special - also modded but sadly written off by a f
king tt in a Corsa.The only cars I owned between 1998 - 2006 were Capri’s, and my favourite memory could possibly be driving down from Nottinghamshire to Cornwall in 1999 for the eclipse that year in my dodgy white 1.6 Laser. The night before I'd set off I'd dropped a scapyard special engine in (cost 35 quid IIRC). Steady 70 all the way to Cornwall and back and it never missed a beat! Oh, and driving back from the in-laws (at the time) in Norfolk to Nottingham in my 2.8 in heavy snow on untreated roads was 'interesting' - didn't crash, ha!
As regards Rover V8 engines being drooped in, I've often though 'why?'. Rover V8 lump ain't that powerful (approx 170 'horse) and the go-faster bits are VERY pricey. Either stick the 2.9 24 valve Cossie V6 in or go for a yank V8 - 5.7 Chevy anyone? Saying that, more than 200 ish BHP in my opinion is a bit OTT.
Zetec: they do fit but you have sod around an awful lot changing the cooling system (water rail & thermostat etc on the Zetec is in the wrong place as it was designed for FWD applications only).
Yep, if I ever have any luck on the Lotto, the first, the VERY first thing I'd do would be Capri shopping.
As I said earlier, best cars ever made (I'm off to slip into something flameproof).
Frimley111R said:
I can't help thinking this is one of those cars that you look at and think 'Nice, I'd like one' but if you had it it just wouldn't live up to your expectations. A real rose-tinted spectacles car.
I've got a 2.8 and it's exactly what it should be - a timewarp.The biggest surprise with a 2.8 is the lack of torque but otherwise it's what it says on the tin...understeer/oversteer, not much build quality, fairly vague steering and rust.
But it's absolutely hilarious and a joy to drive.
A 1.6?
A 2.0 is OK (I've had all three) but the lack of go and power on antics in a 1.6 makes it a project waiting for an engine.
Faust66 said:
Either stick the 2.9 24 valve Cossie V6 in or go for a yank V8 - 5.7 Chevy anyone? Saying that, more than 200 ish BHP in my opinion is a bit OTT.
Willie Green used to stick the 24v V6 in Capri 2.8s along with a manual gearbox and better brakes and use them as track cars. He used to go really well in them
Bought my first Capri at 17 (1988) a 1.6 Gl in beige, followed at 18 by a 1.6 Calypso, Chrystal green over silver. The 1.6 was soon binned for a 2.1 with the obligatory kent cam, bunch of bananas exhaust, big valve head (David Vizard has a lot to answer for) Princess calipers and Tar Ox discs plus loads of other stuff, sprayed it white and added Pepper Pots and an S stripe. This was replaced with a brief interlude into Trans Am ownership but a 2.8i Special on an E plate soon arrived, lovely. First car I ever had air borne.
The Capri was the car that wrote my formative years, we did all the CCI shows, local car shows a friend and myself founded the Avalon Capri Club in 1994 ( Branch of CCI) and that was a great time, trips to Blackpool, touring Yorkshire, loads of beer and curry and met some great people, brilliant times...
The Capri was the car that wrote my formative years, we did all the CCI shows, local car shows a friend and myself founded the Avalon Capri Club in 1994 ( Branch of CCI) and that was a great time, trips to Blackpool, touring Yorkshire, loads of beer and curry and met some great people, brilliant times...
No no no no no.
A Cortina in drag - with all that that entails. Neanderthal engine, suspension and brakes (and that was at the time!).
Back in the early 80's a mate of mine had a Mk3 2.0 GL. Indifferent performance for a 2.0 and a HORRIBLE noise, rubbish traction and useless at drifting (it would spin all the the power away through an inside wheel or axle tramp it's way down the road). Rubbish brakes too. Which made the indifferent performance terrifying at times.
I used to get out of it into an Alfa Sud 1.5 and it was like going forward 100 years in time. A Sud would annihilate a Capri on bumpy B roads with hilarious ease. You could brake so much later into the first corner than Mr Capri man would literally have no idea where it had gone.
Or care for comparison with a Alfa Coupe of the same era? I also used to tool around in a mate's Alfetta 1.8 GT of the same era - disks all round (in board at the rear), De Dion transaxle, DOHC alloy head, sodium cooled valves etc etc etc. Again, it was like stepping forward 100 years out of an ox cart and into the future.
Maybe the 2.8i had something. But all the other Capris.........didn't.
A Cortina in drag - with all that that entails. Neanderthal engine, suspension and brakes (and that was at the time!).
Back in the early 80's a mate of mine had a Mk3 2.0 GL. Indifferent performance for a 2.0 and a HORRIBLE noise, rubbish traction and useless at drifting (it would spin all the the power away through an inside wheel or axle tramp it's way down the road). Rubbish brakes too. Which made the indifferent performance terrifying at times.
I used to get out of it into an Alfa Sud 1.5 and it was like going forward 100 years in time. A Sud would annihilate a Capri on bumpy B roads with hilarious ease. You could brake so much later into the first corner than Mr Capri man would literally have no idea where it had gone.
Or care for comparison with a Alfa Coupe of the same era? I also used to tool around in a mate's Alfetta 1.8 GT of the same era - disks all round (in board at the rear), De Dion transaxle, DOHC alloy head, sodium cooled valves etc etc etc. Again, it was like stepping forward 100 years out of an ox cart and into the future.
Maybe the 2.8i had something. But all the other Capris.........didn't.
Does anyone recollect the David Brimble Capri YRO 800X from he mid eighty's??
He ran a company called Teledata that the business I worked for bought from him. Had a drive of that when it was still owned by David, absolute barking mad turbo'd car that he built from a new shell (by Zakspeed if I recollect).
He ran a company called Teledata that the business I worked for bought from him. Had a drive of that when it was still owned by David, absolute barking mad turbo'd car that he built from a new shell (by Zakspeed if I recollect).
Edited by AntJC on Friday 22 October 11:49
porka_boy said:
Ford did officially sanction a 5 litre in the Mk1 Capri, built by Basil Green.
http://www.retro-motors.com/article/Ford_Capri_Per...
I have wanted one of these for as long as I can remember. One day I will. They are an amazing sight at any historic race meeting here at the bottom of Africa.http://www.retro-motors.com/article/Ford_Capri_Per...
Edited by porka_boy on Friday 22 October 07:55
this Capri Perana http://www.power-images.co.uk/gallerys/2010/knockh... has been racing this year at Knockhill in the SMRC classics, gorgeous car, sounds amazing. we have also had 2 3.0litre mark 3's but the V6 essex sounds rather average in comparison
yes the capri was a shed, they could rust for England but that car has something, it looks great, okay you can modify them to go well but you are always going to get oversteer no matter how well you modify the rear suspension but it has the look. an e-type for the working man
yes the capri was a shed, they could rust for England but that car has something, it looks great, okay you can modify them to go well but you are always going to get oversteer no matter how well you modify the rear suspension but it has the look. an e-type for the working man
mmmmm Capri's.
I had an A-plate red 2.0S with stage 3 engine & twin 45 webbers, 28 Special 7spokes, 28 1/2 leather interior. Loved that car but sold as could'nt afford the fuel bill on my daily 70mile commute. Think I sold it for more than I bought it - only car I have owned that wish I still had as a project.
Prob too expensive for me now to get a nice one.
I had an A-plate red 2.0S with stage 3 engine & twin 45 webbers, 28 Special 7spokes, 28 1/2 leather interior. Loved that car but sold as could'nt afford the fuel bill on my daily 70mile commute. Think I sold it for more than I bought it - only car I have owned that wish I still had as a project.
Prob too expensive for me now to get a nice one.
I've had a few in my times, used to love them so much I set up a Capri Owners Club after having a bit of a falling out with the main one.
The list included Mk1 1.3 (yep 0-60 in a few days), Mk1 2.0 V4, Mk1 3000GT with full Cologne kit, MK2 1.6GL, Mk2 2.0 JPS, Mk2 3.0 Ghia, Mk3 2.0 'S', Mk3 2.0 Ghia, Mk3 1.6 L, Mk3 2.3, Mk3 2.8i LHD and god knows how many more in between, that were ragged around then used for spares.
The list included Mk1 1.3 (yep 0-60 in a few days), Mk1 2.0 V4, Mk1 3000GT with full Cologne kit, MK2 1.6GL, Mk2 2.0 JPS, Mk2 3.0 Ghia, Mk3 2.0 'S', Mk3 2.0 Ghia, Mk3 1.6 L, Mk3 2.3, Mk3 2.8i LHD and god knows how many more in between, that were ragged around then used for spares.
I always lusted after a Capri (like Bodie and Doyle) and thought they were the best looking thing on the road, (when I was 10) 
Finally drove one when it was traded in at the garage I was working at and it was horrible.
Like they say “You should never meet your hero's”!
I've got two friends though that have gone through dozens of them and absolutely love them.
Finally drove one when it was traded in at the garage I was working at and it was horrible.
Like they say “You should never meet your hero's”!
I've got two friends though that have gone through dozens of them and absolutely love them.
I've had a couple of Mk3 Capri's - I had a 1.6 in a dark metallic green....and then I saw a 2.8i at a local classic car show for sale for £1,000 so I had to go and have a look at it, it was so tidy - the only reason the guy was selling was because he didn't have room for that and the company car.
He really didn't want to sell it, as I drove away from his home he had a tear.
I eventually sold it for very little after it needed quite a bit of work doing to it (some 4 years after I bought it) - really wish I had kept it though, was such a great car.
I was looking at buying one recently, but saw how much they're now worth - which makes me wish I had kept mine for other reasons too lol
He really didn't want to sell it, as I drove away from his home he had a tear.
I eventually sold it for very little after it needed quite a bit of work doing to it (some 4 years after I bought it) - really wish I had kept it though, was such a great car.
I was looking at buying one recently, but saw how much they're now worth - which makes me wish I had kept mine for other reasons too lol
My dad had a white 3.0s (reg KNT10W) when the Proffesionals were on the screen 
He also had before a 3ltr gxl and a ghia as I remember
Fantastic looks for the time, envy of other school kids when picked up at the gates
but, strangley i would not have one,
Now a Manta 400, that would be different
He also had before a 3ltr gxl and a ghia as I remember
Fantastic looks for the time, envy of other school kids when picked up at the gates
but, strangley i would not have one,
Now a Manta 400, that would be different
I remember my Grandad buying a new 3.0 capri when I was 6 or 7. My brother and I were in the back one day with my grandma driving at 90 mph.
My grandad leans over and sternly says "slow down your doing 90"
"no I'm not" she replies "the speedo says 40"
"that's the Rev counter..." he said.
Even though I loved doing 90 in that one when I young I've never had (and still don't) have any desire to own one.
My grandad leans over and sternly says "slow down your doing 90"
"no I'm not" she replies "the speedo says 40"
"that's the Rev counter..." he said.
Even though I loved doing 90 in that one when I young I've never had (and still don't) have any desire to own one.
Great SOTW, I've always had a soft spot for Capri's. Never owned one or had one in the family, but there's something about them which is very appealing to me.
In fact, a small engined Capri in good condition could be a great car for my 13 year old brother to learn to drive in. Simple mechanics and rear wheel drive, hmmm
In fact, a small engined Capri in good condition could be a great car for my 13 year old brother to learn to drive in. Simple mechanics and rear wheel drive, hmmm
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff