The Ford Capri

The Ford Capri, sporting a "muscle car" image due to its styling and marketing, has become a cult classic in the UK, with parts and accessories easily accessible, and a high number of owners clubs across the United Kingdom. Not only was the Ford Capri styled in an aggressive manner, the muscle car image was reinforced by a number of lucrative roles on the TV screen, staring in The Professionals, Brannigan and Minder. With the car performing stunts, full throttle speeds, and being portrayed as a fast, sporty and bravado car on millions of peoples television screens, the marketing line "The car you always promised yourself" all contributed to a high demand for the Capri.

Originally know as the "Colt" during the development stages, the car name had to be changed due to trademark infringements with Mitsibushi already holding the trademark, the car was named the "Capri". The name originates from an earlier Ford model, the Ford Consul Capri 335, an unsuccessful model previously released. The original mark I model was released in 1969 and was intended to live up to its American counterpart, the Mustang, which had seen a great run in the United States, hence the campaign to portray the Ford Capri as a bravado muscle car. The first range produced in the Dagenham Ford factory included 1300cc and 16l engine variations, sharing mechanical features of the Cortina therefore being an affordable sporty car for the masses. More powerful variations were also produced, with the Ford Capri 3000GT producing close to 140hp, and later the introduction of the RS2600 in the early seventies.

A year after the release of the RS2600 saw the production of the new Mark I Capri, sporting some changes such as a new engine, headlamps and greater comfort. A year later also saw the introduction of the RS3100, a larger capacity version of the already powerful RS2600, with only 100 produced. After a successful run of the Mark I, selling 1,200,000, the Mark II was introduced to the marketplace. The Mark II was a more practical car in comparison, with the 1973 oil problem having a direct affect on the motor industry. A less lengthy bonnet, and the hatchback design made the Mark II Capri more practical for the average motorist. The classic bravado image of the Capri was still very much alive with the introduction of the John Player special. The 3 litre S and Ghia replaced the 3 litre GT in the mid seventies, due to lowering sales. Whilst the Mark III Capri offered no different engine variations from the Mark II, the Mark III did sport the new classic headlamps from the RS2000, plus other changes.

New racing parts and accessories were made available for the Capri in the UK, and 1981 saw the introduction of the Capri 2.8 litre injection, replacing the 2 and 3 litre variations of the Capri. These introductions also saw Ford focusing mainly on the UK market due to rapid declining sales across the world for the Ford Capri. The reducing sales saw the Capri only sold in the UK at the end of the production of the Fiord Capri, with the UK still demanding the cult classic. The Ford Capri had sold close to 2,000,000 models worldwide when production finally ceased.