The Capri a LEGEND in the making

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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.

 

 

 

The 2nd Capri special was available for collection in June 1972 - it was a limited production intended to use the Prefacelift bodies but it also incorporated a few of the designs that were later seen  on the facelift model, things like the indicators in the side of the wings and the bonnet bulge. They were only available in 1600GT,  2000GT 3000GT.  colours were either Lt Emerald Green with gold coach line or Ebony black with red coach line.

 

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 Swayze 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. 10038 built to the 2.8 spec with special paint colour and full recaros

 

BROAD SPEED BULLIT CAPRI

 

THIS Capri was amongst the most exciting Capri’s of the early 1970’s, along with 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.

all the above are the real deal