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The Capri a LEGEND in the
making
America - what they do
today we do tomorrow. It was just as true 30 plus years ago. In
America the Ford Mustang had become a much loved and sought after
car - could Fords achieve this in Europe? Not with the Mustang as
it was too big and American for our European roadways and tastes.
So to the drawing board to design the car that was to become a much
loved coupe through out the world but especially here in Britain.
1965 design studio's
begin work on drawing the colt - son of mustang, they made several
versions in full size dummy models to assess. They were assessed
for aerodynamics but it was really just the starting point for
deciding future development. The final model chosen was not he best
in terms of aerodynamics they chose an American version as it best
fitted the criteria laid down that the car should be a match of
sports and GT.
Fords were acutely aware
that the public will make or break a product so they took note of
market research and to this end showed two designs to a carefully
selected cross section of the public - one design named Flow line,
and one named GBX. The public were not told who the manufactures
were so could bring no bias to bear on the outcome, they were asked
to choose the best for styling in comparison to other designs and
other sports cars. The outcome was favourable so Ford's decided to
move on further with the project.
The car had to be
appealing despite less interior space and luggage space and with
only two doors. It also had to be pitched at a competitive price so
production costs had to be thoroughly investigated.
July 14 1966 is a date
few people know about, what is it's importance?
Well it is the date that
the Ford management meeting in Britain gave the go ahead for the
project to be given the green light. The first working prototypes
were put together in 1966.
October 1967
The colt rear windows were dumped in favour of U shape side
windows. prototypes were already being tested but rear seat
passengers were complaining of feeling claustrophobic, the side
windows needed to be modified to give a more spacious feeling. The
Japanese held the copyright of 'Colt' so a new name had to be found
- enter Capri.
November 1968
Manufacture begins at both British and German factories.
January 1969
Official Debut at the Brussels Motor Show. A wrap hid the Capri
from view until the appointed official time, when it was removed
there stood a gleaming white Capri, the gasps from the assembly of
press reporters etc said it all - here was a car with a big big
future. There is video available showing the unveiling.
March 1969
The 2000GT made for the UK market and fitted with a V4 engine.
September 1969
The 3000 GT Powered by the Ford Zodiac 'ESSEX' V6
March 1970
Top of the range 3000E goes on sale. Executive meant the car had
vinyl roof, cloth inserts seats (no more executive burnt bums) and
opening rear windows.
September 1970
Improved lighting and power assisted brakes as standard across the
range.
September 1971
The first Special Edition, the Vista Orange Special, 2000GT with
bright orange paint and Mustang type dress up by way of louvers for
the rear screen and a boot spoiler.
October 1971
3000GT engine modifications to give increased power. Re-shaped inlet
ports and larger inlet valves with hotter camshaft, larger jets in
the twin choke carburettors and tubular exhaust manifolds. New
gearbox ratios , softer rear suspension and to stop all this extra
thrust - improved brakes.
June 1972
The bonnet bulge is put on all models as the Pinto OHC is set to
replaces the Kent overhead valve engine, and space is needed to
accommodate it.
September 1972
Capri facelift, larger lamps front and rear, fascia changed, and new
two spoke steering wheel, rear anti roll bar fitted in place of the
original link rear axle with softer suspension. Spec is changed and
the 3000GXL is built with up rated gearbox and quad headlights.
The range now consists of 1300L and 1600XL/GT and for a time the
2000 - V4
August 1973
Millionth Capri is built
December 1973
Production of MK1 Capri's ends
January 1974
Manufacture of RS3,1 limited run projected of 1000 cars for group 2
racing. Added spoilers front and rear and bored out Essex V6 engine.
February 1974
New Capri MK2 introduced gone is the boot and introduced is the
hatchback. The body is blown out below the swaze line to make for a
bulkier look and the front is blunt with big headlights. Available
in basic 1300 to luxury 3000 Ghia
March 1975
Capri S codenamed 'midnight' in black livery with gold alloy wheels
and gold coach lines and gold/black interior, commonly became known
as the 'JPS' Capri but were also available in white.
October 1975
The S is produced with a choice of 2lt or 3lt engine.
October 1976
Production of the Capri ends in Britain, all Capri's now to built in
Germany.
August 1977
Capri's no longer built for the American market
March 1978
New Capri MK3 launched quad headlight colored bumpers plastic end
caps, metal front spoiler and front grille, interior rear parcel
shelf . S range and Ghia available as well as 1300L and 1600GL
March 1981
2.8i - petrol injection and V6 ventilated front discs from Granada
. New suspension and alloy wheels plus new interior trim.
January 1983
Five speed gearbox fitted to 2.8i .
February 1983
Reduction in range to LS, S, 2.8i . The S is improved with the 2.8
suspension
November 1983
Tickford introduce Turbo power to the 2.8, rear disc brakes and
limited slip differential , luxury interior and body styling kit.
June 1984
Laser models announced with the 'lesser' models ending and the 1.6
laser and the 2.0 laser having extra's fitted as standard 5 speed
gearbox and fitted sunroof
October 1984
2.8 i special with leather upholstery and limited slip diff also new
alloy wheels
June 1986
Turbo Technics announce the modification for the 2.8 engine.
November 1986
Production ends with he final Capri being the 280 Brooklands. 500
built to the 2.8 spec with special paint colour and full recaros
BROAD SPEED BULLIT CAPRI
THIS Capri was probably one of
the most exciting Capri’s of the early 1970’s, apart from the
RS2600, RS3100, Commanche 190, Atlard V8, Lumo Capri and Perana
Capri (the last four modified by specialized firms). It’s called
the Broadspeed Bullit. It was first available in early 1970. Based
on either a 3000E, 3000 GT and also a 1600 GT. As Broadspeed was a
Ford dealer they could price the Bullit competitively with the
standard range. These were the prices for a 1971: £1995 for the
3000E, 3000GT was £1825 and £1575 for the 1600 GT. The Bullit was
definitely not a kit because you could only buy the Bullit as a
complete car.
The modifications were as
follows: Stage 2 engine conversion, which involves modified cylinder
heads, high lift cam shaft, new gasket and bearing, re-choked and
jetted carburettors, new inlet manifold and a redesigned exhaust
system. Suspension mods include Armstrong Adjustable 22 telescopic
shocks at the rear. At the front smaller roll bar was fitted to
reduce the cars normal under steer. Brake pads were DS11’s these
considerably improved stopping power. Externally, the front end was
altered. This entailed the deletion of the front bumper and
replaced with an anti-lift spoiler. The lighting included quartz
iodine Cibie headlamps and fog/spot lights built into the spoiler.
At the back of the car the rear window had louvers. To complete the
Bullits macho look was a top-side two tone paint job.
Broadspeed has a choice of
worthwhile extras. Among them were Minilite Wheels, (most shod with
Goodyear’s), Restall Bucket Seats, Electric Fan, Air Horns, small
diameter leather steering wheel, alternative centre console to the
standard and stereo cassette player.
As you can see there was
plenty to choose from. The electric fan was considered then to be
essential rather than an extra. This was due to the increased power
making the standard work extra hard.
One of the Bullits strong
points was its mind-blowing performance. Read on and you will soon
see why:-
The Bullit could reach 60 mph
in just 7.2 sec’s compared to pre 71 Capri 3000GT’s 10.2 secs.
Maximum speed was past the 126 mph barrier in calm conditions. A
quarter of a mile could be done in 16.1 sec’s or in other words it
could steam down the local high street in the same time (Sunday’s
only).
To get this kind of
performance into perspective I am afraid I will have to mention some
deadly rival to the Capri. The Porsche 911T could just do 0-60 in
the same time as the Bullit, but the Bullit could beat an Aston
Martin (shock horror) a Jenson FF (ha ha) and a Triumph TR6 (too
bad) to 60 mph so there!! Please note the performance figures were
tested on an early 3000 Bullit before Ford up rated their engine so
the performance would be even better.
I suppose you all want to go
out and buy one now. Well there are not many about so you will have
to be careful what you buy. The 1600 Bullit is probably the
rarest. Don’t be fooled by some shark selling a sooped up Capri as
a Bullit, beneath all those extra’s and spoilers it could well be an
ordinary Capri.
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M.P.H
Prod 128 bhp Prd 138 bhp Uren-Wes 170 bhp Broads
185 bhp Oren-Wes 190
Capri ’69
Capri’71 Capri’70
Capri’71 Capri Cauto
0-30 3.0s
2.7s 2.5s
2.8s 3.9s
0-60
10.2s 8.2s
7.9s 7.2s
8.1s
0-80
17.8s 13.8s
13.8s 12.9s
12.9s
0-100
39.6s 24.6s
24.0s 23.2s
20.9s
Max MPH
114 122
121 126
126
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