Mercury Capri

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Mercury Capri
Production period: 1970-1994
Class : Middle class
Body versions : Coupé , station wagon coupé , convertible

Mercury Capri was the name of several different models sold or manufactured by the American automobile manufacturer Mercury .

Capri (1970–1978)

First generation
Capri (US version)

Capri (US version)
Production period: 1970-1988
Body versions : Coupé , station wagon coupé
Engines:
Petrol engines : 1.6-2.8 liters
(51-138 kW)
Length: 4376-4439 mm
Width: 1698 mm
Height: 1323-1357 mm
Wheelbase : 2563 mm
Empty weight : 1040-1250 kg

The US versions of the European Ford Capri , which were built exclusively in the Cologne plant, received double headlights, modified bumpers and no brand emblem; they were officially marketed as "Capri imported for Lincoln-Mercury" - as with the De Tomaso Pantera , they were sold through Mercury dealers. After the VW Beetle, the Capri was at times the best-selling import model in the United States. In 1970 the Capri was powered by a British Kent engine with 1600 cm³ and only 72 HP (53 kW), from 1971 also by a two-liter inline four-cylinder with 101, later 86 and 81 HP (63/60 kW). In 1972/73 the Capri 2600 GT was also offered in the USA with the 2.6-liter V6 producing 108 hp (79 kW), and from the end of 1973 the Capri with 2.8-liter V6 (106–112 hp / 78-82 kW). The export to the USA lasted until 1978. 434,825 pieces were sold in North America during this time.

Ford / Mercury Capri (1978–1986)

Second generation
Mercury Capri RS

Mercury Capri RS
Production period: 1978-1986
Body versions : Combi coupe
Engines:
Petrol engines : 2.3–4.9 liters
(65–157 kW)
Length: 4554 mm
Width: 1755 mm
Height: 1308 mm
Wheelbase : 2550 mm
Empty weight : 1154-1384 kg

In autumn 1978, the largely identical Mercury Capri appeared as a parallel model to the new Ford Mustang ; only the front section and smaller details were changed. Like the Mustang at the same time, the Capri was based on the Group's Fox platform introduced with the Ford Fairmont , while at the same time the previous model was resold in Europe. During its entire construction period, the Capri was only available as a three-door hatchback coupé with a large tailgate; as a two-door notchback coupé it was offered as a Ford Capri; there was no convertible like the Mustang.

Mercury Capri, 1983

Initially, the Capri was available as a basic model and a better equipped Ghia, powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder (89 hp / 65 kW; also as a turbo version with 142 hp / 104 kW), a 2.8-liter -V6 (110 PS / 81 kW) or a V8 with a displacement of 4.9 liters and 142 PS (104 kW). In the course of the 1980 model year, the large V8 was replaced by a smaller 4.2-liter engine (121 PS / 89 kW) and the V6 by a 3.3-liter straight-six (92 PS / 67); the turbo four-cylinder increased to 152 hp (112 kW). From 1982 the earlier Ghia version was called Capri GS. In 1982 the model range expanded into the versions Capri, Capri L, GS, RS and Black Magic; the 4.9-liter came back into the program as a high-performance version (159 hp / 117 kW), the turbo was temporarily canceled. In the spring of 1983 it was offered again, now with injection and 144 hp (106 kW). In the same model year, the Capri was given a convex rear window ("bubbleback"). At the same time, the 3.3-liter gave way to a new 3.8-liter V6 (122 PS / 90 kW), the V8 now had 177 PS (130 kW) and the black special Black Magic model was joined by the Crimson Cat in wine red. In 1984 the model range shrank to GS and RS. With 177 hp (130 kW), the turbo engine produced just as much as the quadruple carburettor V8, of which there was now also a weaker 167 hp (123 kW) variant with injection. In 1985 the turbo version was discontinued for good, while the injection V8 was increased to 183 hp (135 kW) and the high-output V8 with quadruple carburettor to 213 hp (157 kW). In 1986 the RS was renamed the 5.0 L, the carburettor V8 was omitted and the injected V8 developed 203 hp (149 kW).

Mercury produced a total of 370,752 pieces of the Capri, which remained without a direct successor, in 9 years.

Mercury Capri (1990-1994)

Third generation
Mercury Capri

Mercury Capri
Production period: 1990-1994
Body versions : Cabriolet
Engines: Petrol engines :
1.6 liters
(74-99 kW)
Length: 4219-4244 mm
Width: 1641 mm
Height: 1267-1280 mm
Wheelbase : 2405 mm
Empty weight :

In the model years 1991 to 1994, Mercury sold the Ford Capri roadster designed and produced by the Australian Ford branch as the Mercury Capri in the USA . This front-wheel drive Mazda MX-5 competitor had a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that developed 74 kW (101 hp) in the naturally aspirated version and 99 kW (134 hp) in the turbo version.

Picture gallery

  • Side view

  • Front view

  • Rear view

  • View of the interior

Some vehicles were also exported to Germany and Austria.

swell

  • Covello, Mike: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002 . Krause Publications, Iola 2002. ISBN 0-87341-605-8 , pp. 328-331.
  • Flammang, James M. and Kowalke, Ron: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999. Krause Publications, Iola 1999. ISBN 0-87341-755-0 , pp. 640-670.

Web links

Commons : Mercury Capri  - collection of images, videos and audio files