Friday 22nd October 2010

SOTW: Ford Capri Mk3

Shed gets all misty-eyed over a Ford with a big bonnet. Now where are those furry dice...

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After a slew of 1980s SOTWs in recent weeks, Shed promised itself that this week it would escape from the 'me' decade. On that score it has failed. Because this week Shed is focussing on that most chest-wiggy of 1980s sportsters, the Mk3 Capri.

Considering the fact that various Ford factories around Europe churned out almost 1.9 million Capris over three iterations between 1969 and 1987, you'd think that the snouty coupe would be classic SOTW fodder by now.

But although a few years ago this may have been the case, these days a working Capri in Shed territory is a rare beast indeed. Fords of the 70s and 80s were not built in the most robust of manners, so plenty of Capris have fallen prey to the rust monster, while those in good condition have become rather collectable - and way out of Shed's league.

A Mk3 2.0S in decent nick will cost you £2k, while a smart 2.8 injection won't be yours unless you are happy to part with four or five grand.

Thus, when a roadworthy Capri saunters into Shed's field of vision, it tends to be of the less desirable variety. So it is with today's SOTW. Beneath that oh-so phallic bonnet lies a wheezing 72bhp 1.6-litre OHC motor - although it does have the later five-speed manual gearbox.

The vendor says it's in nice condition, and has recently had new brakes, exhaust and radiator. Crucially, however, our chap doesn't mention how much (or whether) the ol' metal-rot has set in - and this is not a car you'd be advised to buy with your eyes closed.

The only thing we find odd is the fact that the advert claims it to be a 1979 car, while the 'D' at the front of the registration plate would firmly suggest 1986-1987 as its point of origin. But it seems unlikely that there would be a suspicious motive behind that.

Should you fancy your trousers a touch more flared and your tie a mite more kipper-like, we also spotted this - a 1977 Mk2 1.6. This one's allegedly showing just 50k miles on the odo, has 5 months tax, '10 years' MOT (we presume this means either 10 months or one year...).

That leaves only one question: do you prefer your Capris 1970s vinyl-roofed, or 1980s maroon?

Advert for the Mk3:

1.6 Mark III Capri for sale. (1979)
126,000 miles £1,000

1.6 laser good conditioned Ford Capri for its age, 3 Door Hatchback, Petrol, 5 speed Manual gearbox. Recently had a great deal of work including new exhaust, radiator and brakes. A lot of service history paperwork included. Its a beautiful car, and now I am a student I simply cant afford to keep it running.

Advert for the Mk2:

Ford Capri 1977 mk2 1.6 GL WILL SWAP FOR WHEELS/ VOLKSWAGON (1977)
50,100 miles £950

10 YEARS MOT
5 MONTHS TAX

50.000 MILES

NEW RADIATOR
NEW VISCUS FAN
NEW LEADS
NEW PLUGS
NEW TYRES
NEW FILTER
NEW DIZZY
NEW FULL EXHAUST SYSTEM
NEW TEMP SENSOR
NEW WATER PUMP

BODYWORK IS NOT PERFECT

THIS IS A 33YR OLD CAR....NO OFFERS PLEASE

FACTORY SPARE WHEEL/JACK
FACTORY RADIO
EVERYTHING WORKS FINE/LIGHTS ETC

USED DAILY

I LIVE IN SUFFOLK

[turnipbmw]

How can a car that was so horrid in its day be so gorgeous now

[HAB]

I quite like the Capri, but the 1.6 ain't worth a fvck.

[vit4]

I would absolutely love one of these. T'was my plan for my first car until some git decided old Fords were desirable

Oh well... maybe in a year or 2

[Amused2death]

I had white 2L III, brilliant little car...eventually overtaken by the tin worm and passed on for it's engine

[SDxsi]

That mk3 would be ripe for an engine conversion of some sort. A pinto lump or Cosworth? Hmm

[anonymous-user]

I had the offer of a MINT black 2.8i. I turned it down as someone had used it to top themselves with and couldn't bring myself to drive/get in/take it. Ended up being given away. Last seen slowly turning green under a tarpaulin in someone's front garden.

[D34NO87]

I'm itching to buy a mk3 capri. I used to think they were ugly cars then I drove my mums 2.8i and I was grinning from ear to ear!

[jbi]

needs the ford 5.0 dropped in it

[porka_boy]

Ford did officially sanction a 5 litre in the Mk1 Capri, built by Basil Green.

http://www.retro-motors.com/article/Ford_Capri_Per...

Edited by porka_boy on Friday 22 October 07:55

[fatboy18]

HAB said:

I quite like the Capri, but the 1.6 ain't worth a fvck.

Utter rubbish, My first car was a MK 2 1.6 Auto, for a first car it was brilliant, cheaper to insure and better fuel consumption than its big brothers, it was a car of its time though The XR 3s were just beginning to come onto the market as well as the Golf GTIs, it was these cars that eventually killed off the Capri.
But if you like a car with a fast back shape and a long bonnet, there great value. Fun on roundabouts too (you get to watch the back of the car come past you)

[Dunk76]

My best mate was into Capris, whilst I went the thinking route and had the same number of Mantas.

Not bad old smokers in their day it must be said; they feel incredibly low by modern standards. A bit of mucking about with suspension could tame the somewhat wayward handling.

His last Capri was a 2.8 which had seen the Cologne thrown out in favour of a Swaymar 3.2 Essex... 191bhp at the wheels, which was plenty in that chassis.

I never really got on with them, preferring the greater room and more predictable handling of my Mantas, but to me they're still Happy Days sort of motoring.

[rex]

Always had a soft spot for Capris. It was in a gold 2.0S that someone drove me at over 1 lepton. Never owned one but did have a car from a similar time, an Opel Manta. Was variously described as the "fanny magnet" and the "thinking mans Capri" of which it was neither.

[BILL PAYER]

Dunk76 said:

My best mate was into Capris, whilst I went the thinking route and had the same number of Mantas.

Not bad old smokers in their day it must be said; they feel incredibly low by modern standards. A bit of mucking about with suspension could tame the somewhat wayward handling.

His last Capri was a 2.8 which had seen the Cologne thrown out in favour of a Swaymar 3.2 Essex... 191bhp at the wheels, which was plenty in that chassis.

I never really got on with them, preferring the greater room and more predictable handling of my Mantas, but to me they're still Happy Days sort of motoring.

Had both and can honestly say the Manta was a far better car in every way

[varsas]

Mk2 and a welding torch for me please!

[80s Matchbox]

I like it. Great as a run around.

[300bhp/ton]

Ummm Capri

Always been a huge fan of the Capri, esp a MKIII with a 2.8i and in Maroon. Shame this one is a 1.6, but it still looks great IMO. And to be honest I don't really care that it might not be as good or quick as a contemporary hatchback. It's RWD, looks fantastic and is uber cool!

[Noisy]

A 1.6 Mk3 Capri was the first car I got the keys too after passing my test, had lots of fun in that car, it did have a few issues though, the gear lever had a tendency to come off in your hand if you tried to shift too quickly, it was a rot box and ended up being scrapped.

[a11y_m]

Christ that takes me back - I grew up with my dad owning a few Capris. Nothing more exciting than a 2.0 Injection, but I remember him fitting a Janspeed exhaust (which I alwasy bring up when he tells me I'm wasting my money on my own car now...).

Oh, and my first crash was in a 2.8 (although I was a passenger)

[graham22]

I bought a MkIII Capri in 1995 when I thought I was going to see a Scirocco.

Was told my uncle was selling his car because he bought a Volvo, the last I heard was he had a Scirocco and I was looking fr something to use until a CRX VTEC came along.

Got there, opened the door and the long bonnet of a Capri was there - oh... Looked closer, it was a late 2.0 S (1983) with 40k miles and generally sound but in need of a polish. £400 notes agreed.

Ran it for a couple of months, found my CRX and sold the Capri to an 'enthusiast' for £650 - still saw it around 5 years later.

It just amazed me how everything worked on it and it wasn't too bad a car for the money - looking at some of the figures quoted now, should have mothballed it.

Perhaps the wrong place to say it here but if it was a Mk1 Scirocco with 40k on the clock ...........

[The Donster]

I think the confusion with the 1979 reference is down to the fact that the Mk3 entered the fray around that year. Plus the fact Laser trim didn't appear until at least 1982/1983, I think it's safe to assume it's just a typo.