The European Capri had arrived stateside in 1970 and found a good receiving. With that settled, steady improvements appeared on the vehicle throughout its run. First of all, a new 2.0 L engine as an option, that if chosen greatly changed the Capri’s character for the better.
R&T had already tested the Capri’s base 1600, and found it willing but too leisurely. The 75 bhp mill had to be pushed hard just to keep up with traffic. Meanwhile, in the words of R&T, the new 2.0 L engine wanted to be driven hard. Particularly when shifting from 1st to 2nd; with the ratios between the two being widely spaced, the testers recommended the shift to second above the 4500 rpm mark. That said, besides the manual, an automatic was to appear on the Capri 2000.
Performance-wise the 0-60 times told the story, as the 1600 reached 60 in 17.3 seconds, while the 2000 did so in 11.7 seconds. There were no penalties for that newfound performance, as fuel consumption was better in the 2.0 than in the 1600.
A number of criticisms are mentioned that applied to all Capri versions; the car was extremely sensitive to side winds, and there was lots of wind and interior noise, plus an odd front suspension handling issue that Ford people attributed to a maintenance error. Finally, the early Capri got some flack for its styling by publications of the day (something the Mustang also endured), and this R&T review was no exception. Time has proven the public didn’t agree with such views.
Despite all the negatives, reviewers found the Capri had a lot to recommend; it was a solidly built compact that was fun to drive, particularly with the 2.0 engine. Ford would keep introducing further improvements to the model, increasing steadily its appeal factor.
Further reading:
Curbside Outtake: 1972 Ford Capri 1600GT – Understanding The Appeal
Carshow Classic: 1969 Ford Capri – The European Mustang Ford Always Promised Itself
Vintage R&T Review: 1972 Ford Capri 2600 V6 – “Our Enthusiasm For This Engine Is Almost Unbounded”
I remember seeing a number of these on the road here in the US when I was a kid. I think most of them were the later, 1976-78 Capri II, as I only vaguely recall the rear end/tail lamp treatment of the pictured car while the later one is etched in my memory. This is one of those cars that I think looks the best with the later, body colored bumpers… and after they deleted the bodyside crease. Later cars also were available with a tachometer and rest of the gauge package R&T staff were asking for, as well as a Cologne V6 to rid yourself of the raspy 4 cylinder sound.
Looking back, I’m now seeing an attractive small car that stylistically speaks to me. I suppose I might have shied away from one if I was a twenty-something back in the 1970’s due to it predominantly being thought of as a “chick car”, but I’m secure enough now to not worry about that crap. Make mine a Capri II with a V6 and a manual… though the fuel economy of this earlier 2 liter job is appealing as is its performance adequate. Who says you have to look like a dork to drive something economical, eh?
I remember the ads when they V6 was offered “The sexy European Now in a more passionate version”.
Remember that “ad campaign” for sure!!I remember lusting over a “yellow/black top, Capri” that appeared on the lot at our small town “Mercury” dealer. Looked so “sleek” to my thirteen year old self.
The only styling quibble I have is that the vinyl top on the test car is clearly an afterthought and its’ looks would’ve been greatly improved by passing it up on the options list.
On balance, I think the American-spec quad round sealed beam headlights and grille-mounted turn signals are an improvement on the Euro rectangular composite lighting units, and apparently someone in Cologne agreed since the later and hotted-up Capris all had quad round lights.
Four headlights were only standard on the RS2600 and RS3100 Mk.1 European models and on those each headlight had it’s own squared chrome surround, so looks subtly different from the US spec. From 1972 the original headlight and indicator combined units were replaced by wider rectangular headlights with separate indicators mounted in the front bumper (very vulnerable!).
Four headlights were used on all European Capris from 1978, but that was the later hatchback body in face-lifted form.
The engines used in UK and German 2-litre models in 1970 were quite different, the UK having a V4 previous used in the Zephyr V4, Corsair 2000E and some Transit vans. We also had 1.3 and 3.0 engines to bookend the range.
I only know that V4 from Transit vans; coming from that background it’s hard to imagine it in a Capri. Here in Australia we only got the Capri as base 1600, 1600GT, or 3000GT.
Four headlights were only standard on the RS2600 and RS3100 Mk.1 European models
That’s only correct for German built Capris sold in Europe. From 1972, British built 3000GXL’s were also a four-headlight affair.
The styling was cleaned up for the Mk II. Then they introduced the “S” package, which copied the black and gold color scheme of the JPS Lotus.
They carried through with the black and gold-ish theme inside.
Don’t recall these at all. But with Dad a long-term Inland Steel man, imports were NOT to be even given a glance. The 🍎 doesn’t fall far from the 🌳! Still only like large American 🇺🇸 luxury vehicles, including Lincoln Town Cars and MERCURY. Recall Capri once used for Lincoln and later for a small MERCURY Capri. There is still one turquoise Capri convert driving around town. Cute little puddle jumper, as Dad always referred to imports! 😉
My college dorn-mate has the 2.8 V6/4speed model.
I drove it every time I could!
Loved the peppy powertrain and the dashboard full of gauges. Even with the stock exhaust system the V6 engine sounded potent and macho.
My brother-in-law had the Capri with the V6. Very impressive car!!
Once he married my sister, he sold it for a VW Beetle
I think he regretted selling the Capri as time passed.
Like every time he drove that “beetle”.
The 2.0 Cologne V6 we got in the Low Countries and Germany, was a way nicer engine.
Hardly faster than a 1.6, but with a beautiful sound and roar; great highway cruiser.
When I was 18, I bought a low-mileage-good-as-new 12 yr. old one from a grandpa neigbour.
A genuine, fully loaded GT-XLR. I loved it. As a replacement I bought a beautiful Capri 2 2.0S which served me well into the nineties. They don’t make them like that anymore …
At one time or another I have driven all the ones available in the USA.
I found the 1600 4 cylinder engine a little slow for my tastes.
I found the 2000 4 cylinder engine quite a bit peppier.
I found the V6 engine models perfect for my needs.
In high school, early 1980s, I was always on the lookout for a “nice” Capri–or a nice Opel Manta, or a nice Celica. They all had their pros.
ALL Capris had a tach, and I thought the interior looked the best. And some Capris had the V6–more power (but also less mpg, 2.0 was fine for me). The Celicas had a 5-speed, and the Opel Manta looked best, to me. But most didn’t have a tachometer…
All three were relatively fun, and arrived before the Oil Embargo. By the late 1970s, we had only the Celica left.
It just so happens that Road & Track did a comparison test of those three cars, which made sense, as they were aimed at the same market segment. R&T recommended the Capri for straight-line performance, the Manta for handling, the Celica for refinement.
In 1976, my mom bought a 72 with the 2 liter. Awful shimmy in the steering wheel, at all speeds. Nobody could fix it. Or so I was told, I was 16.
Can we talk for a moment about the monstrous A/C unit in the building behind the Capri in the first photo? That has gotta be the world’s biggest window or through-wall unit ever. It probably weighs half as much as the Capri! Is that a railroad station?
It’s not a/c; it’s a “swamp cooler” (evaporative cooler). Very common in the dry areas of the southwest. Cheaper than a/c. They were more commonly on the roof, but in this application it was mounted in front of a window, probably the lobby of the train station.
I really wanted the Capri in 1970 and looked it over. I was 19 and needed a trusted car. My Dad felt the Maverick was a better choice. It wasn’t as “sophisticated” as the Capri but in the end it was probably the wise choice for all of the miles I racked up on the Maverick. It even took me from North Carolina to California for my first Air Force assignment.
My uncle (mom’s brother) replaced the “cooling unit” (aka “swamp cooler”) in their “AZ house, with “a/c” in the early “60’s”.
They were pleased with the change. Within two years, they were regretting not getting a “furnace -a/c” unit.
The individual room heaters they had were rather problematic and time progressed.
Anyway, they made due till about “1969-70′”.
Moved to a more modern house.
Always like the Capri’s, the black and gold special would be my first choice, then drop in a modern drivetrain, turbo 4cyl and a 5/6 speed trans, EcoBoost drive train from a Mustang. I need a bigger bank balance.
The 2 Litre was a decent engine. High praise from me, a noted Ford hater, especially the English ones. A far better choice than the gutless “Kent” engine.
The US introductory model with the Kent engine was practically an expensive and attractive alternative to a VW Beetle, considering that the 1600 gave it a 0-60 time of 17.3 seconds. The Capri 2000 cost $50 more while giving strong performance for a small import and better fuel economy than the overworked 1600. The 2000 was almost as quick and fast as the 2600 and 2.8 models to follow while having the best fuel economy. It’s easy to see why people resisted clean air efforts when you consider that the Capri II 2.8 was no faster than the 2000 while fuel economy fell from 25.5 mpg to 19.0 mpg. Fortunately, the semiconductor revolution allowed for the efficient engine management in the years that followed.
In the years before the Japanese makes got reliability and corrosion prevention down, this was pretty much the only decent small car sold in the US. Compare it against the Pinto, Vega/Monza/Starfire/whatever, Gremlin, Pacer – yep, only decent small car. Actually these were pretty lousy cars, too, but they were better than the rest.
Moms bought a pair of Capris in…..?1976? .
They were manual box and not, IMO fast nor quick but then I’d never rev. the engine to 4,500 RPM so I’m thinking I drove it wrong .
They were comfy, being the 1970’s she bought them in brown (ugh) for her and my late, lamented step father .
I look at this one and rather like the styling but I’m also old .
-Nate
I bought a new green 1971 Capri 2000 and drove it for 10 years. It was just the car I wanted, small and sporty. Once I drove it from the SF Bay Area to Aspen, Colorado, and cruised at 90 mph through Nevada and Utah. I don’t recall any significant repairs needed.