Albert Ferreras
[su_note note_color = »# f4f4f4 ″]
Second series: Ford Capri II
The Capri II (1974-78) and not MkII, as they are erroneously called, were the result of the so-called "Diana Project" and were born in response to a contradiction. On the one hand, there was a drop in sales in the previous series, which showed clear signs of being obsolete. But on the other hand, the mythical barrier of one million manufactured units of the model had just been broken (an RS 2600 had been the protagonist of the event in August 1973), something that was not foreseen for a vehicle that had been kept in production simultaneously in two assembly lines.
Despite the decision to continue with the old Kent engines together with the Pinto and carbureted V6s, to maintain the same chassis and suspensions, and after making specific but decisive aesthetic changes (the false rear air intakes are eliminated and the nerve hockey stick-shaped longitudinal), the greatest success of this new series is achieved: the tailgate, Substitute for the previous boot lid.
With the new series the number of versions available is reduced. This was due to a new Ford production policy, aimed at simplifying the complex combinations of the previous series (remember the 98 variants that were offered to a future buyer), something that made the final assembly of the car more expensive as well as delayed its delivery. . However, with the Capri II, the Ghia designation is incorporated for the high versions, something that Ford already applied in all its ranges of vehicles.
[/ su_note]
[su_note note_color = »# f4f4f4 ″]
In June '75, the limited series is launched "John Player Special", based on the aesthetics of the Lotus Formula 1 team. But this attempt failed to make the Ford Capri II popular, especially ignored by the enthusiastic sports car public. Somewhat bigger than the MkI and aimed at an audience that demanded less sportiness and more accessibility for families, the main merit of the series II was to maintain the sales of the model for four years and serve as a bridge between the series I and the III .
In that period of time the production of the model ceases in Halewood (in October 1976), which is transferred in its entirety to the German plant in Cologne. Ford thus sought to increase the production of the Escort in Great Britain. In parallel, sales of the Capri in the United States, where Ford USA was rushing to promote its own "crop", the Mustang, gradually declined. Thus, in August 1977 the manufacture of the "Federal" Capri, a model similar to the European one but adapted to North American regulations regarding safety and gas emissions, ceased in Cologne.
By ironies of fate, at first Ford had considered that the Mustang had to be a minority option for potential - and special - European customers looking for something different. But in the face of the almost anecdotal final presence of wild Horse in the Old Continent, on the other side of the Atlantic the potro Capri invaded the American market, to the extent of entering direct sales competition with the Mustang itself. To avoid this untimely "collision" it was "recycled" by Ford's Lincoln / Mercury Division.
[/ su_note]
[su_youtube_advanced https=»yes» url='https://youtube.com/watch?v=TcQTFNIr1E4′]
[su_note note_color = »# f4f4f4 ″]
The reason why the oval brand decided to bid the Capri In the United States, it served the objective of covering a market segment in which it did not have a presence, in a field dominated by both Pontiac and Chevrolet. But that attempt not only did not unseat the low-end models of the two GM manufacturers, but also came into direct competition with the Mustang, something not foreseen in any case by FoMoCo.
In 1979 the Ford Capri officially "disappeared" from the United States, being renamed Lincoln capri in order to identify and differentiate a vehicle whose base was practically twin to that of ... a Mustang! However, the North American enthusiasts of the Capri, as it literally reads in one of the consulted books that exist on the model, «They will not forget the 513.449 Capri Federal who found a home in America.
[/ su_note]
Third series: Ford Capri MkIII
The latest Ford Capris, classified as Mk III (1978-1986), They were the result of the rapid development of the so-called "Carla Project", begun in April 1977, whose purpose was the urgent renovation of the Capri II to try to stop their sales decline. The proof is that in less than a year, specifically in March 78, the new models are presented. And although in essence they keep the same exterior and interior aesthetics as their predecessors, they will bring a renewed air to the already veteran model.
With production now entirely transferred to the German plant in Saarlouis - as the newly appeared Sierra is being produced in Cologne - Ford intends not only to attract the public again with a current and attractive design, but also to make the new one. more aerodynamic vehicle in relation to its predecessors. Thus, a prototype was presented at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show on which all the concepts subsequently applied to the series III would be based: it is the so-called "Designstudie Modular Aerodynamic", mix of futuristic look and lines that already clearly point to what would be the new stage of the Capri.
With the launch of the MkIII, in addition to a clear improvement in the aerodynamic coefficient, mainly thanks to the new integral front apron and the rear spoiler of the «S» series, a return to the aesthetics of the double front optics, taken from the first series , and the rear tulips increase in size. The MkIIIs become heirs to two exterior singularities of the two previous series: the so-called bonnet bulge - hood bulge - so characteristic of the more powerful versions of the MkI, and the hatchback -Tailgate- Series II. But the Series III will bring an unmistakable feature to the vehicle as a whole: the eyebrow or eyebrow, that is, the effect of the hood partially obscuring the top of the four headlights.
Ford continued to maintain the 1.6, 2.0 and 3.0 engines during these years, accompanied by a wide range of finishes in terms of variety. But it is in March 1981 when, at the Geneva Motor Show, it is presented the 2.8i variant, which to some extent represented the "break" with the tradition that the old and heavy Exxes V6 3.0 engine had marked to date, and which took the responsibility of acting as a bridge between its own aesthetics, exemplified in the body of the Ghia 3.0, and a mechanics more in keeping with the times, inherited from the Granada 2.8i. Some authors also consider that the 2.8i comes to fill the gap left by the legendary RS2600. Much more can be said about this model, but the comment reflected in a French specialized publication about it could well serve as a summary: "Unbeatable reason / passion commitment."
Despite everything, sales of the Capri had already started again to fall alarmingly. To give an example: in 1976 the production was 101.103 vehicles; ten years later it was only 10.710. The model born in 1969 was exhausted in its concept and struggled to maintain itself in a time that was no longer its own. its swan song It was the 280 "Brooklands Green" version, the name given to a series of 1.038 vehicles that were characterized by their metallic green paint, Recaro seats with leather upholstery, low-profile wheels and a 5-speed gearbox.
[su_youtube_advanced https=»yes» url='https://youtube.com/watch?v=UBwTGdu3ZmU' ]
On December 19, 1986, a 280 was completed in Cologne (together with the assembly line of the Fiesta, Granada and Scorpio), thus ending the production of the Ford Capri. after 18 years of history and a total of 1.886.647 units manufactured. In March 87 the last copy of the "car you've always wanted" was sold.
Currently there are around a hundred entities dedicated to Capri scattered all over the world, trying to make that desire last. Five of them are in our country: Capri Club Madrid, Agrupación Deportiva Capri, Capri Club Catalunya, Capri Club Mediterráneo and the Association of Friends of Ford Capri-AAFC, the latter entity being the first association officially authorized by Ford Spain to register the name of the manufacturer in its denomination.
[su_note note_color = »# f4f4f4 ″]
Fourth series: a possible MkIV
The celebration in 2009 the 40 anniversary The launch of the model was remembered by many of us, unconditional fans of this now classic vehicle, through events, meetings and rallies. In that year, the rumors that had been circulating for many months that the brand had decided to resurrect it increased. Although there was nothing concrete, unofficial speculations were more and more numerous, especially in full retro era manufacturers, including Ford with the launches of the Thunderbird or the Mustang itself and after Volkswagen's relaunch of the Scirocco in 2008.
If the planned plan has been followed, the presentation of the Capri concept it would have been produced at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, held in September 2009. But the guesswork and change did not stop, and 2011 was finally the year of rebirth. When the big car firms keep their most precious projects in the most absolute secrecy, to speak of future dates is to speculate with the impossible ... Therefore, reading this section in several years may produce perplexity, either by having put on top from the table a chimera or because the new Capri is already rolling through our streets. Until then, it doesn't hurt to remember again that the information detailed in this section is based on unofficial data, although all of them could have enough consistency and credibility.
[/ su_note]
[su_note note_color = »# f4f4f4 ″]
Several years after the launch of its main rival, the Volkswagen Scirocco, and based on the Focus, it seems that the new Capri could have two important novelties compared to its competitors: a convertible version and the incorporation of diesel engines . However, the US Mercury division of FoMoCo points to the idea that the styling of the new model will be influenced by the Ford Visos and the Iosis, with some elements in addition to the European Mondeo.
For those of us who have envisioned a Ford Capri since its inception, the new body and powertrain scheme is far from what we have driven so far, both technically and in concept. C-shaped rear side windows will remain, but little else will remind us of the original model that disappeared more than 20 years ago. In addition, diesel fuel will become the common standard for future refueling, and rear-wheel drive will definitely be remembered.
In one way or another, what is known today is a car environment and some projects with names and surnames. Although at first it was taken for granted that the Capri would make its appearance in 2012, news from the end of that year, contrasted with the manufacturer, unfortunately confirmed that the project was once again parked indefinitely because of the economic crisis.
[/ su_note]
[su_youtube_advanced https=»yes» url='https://youtube.com/watch?v=fkZNuVnjkdw' ]
Continue in the Page 3…
