The Ford Capri Made for the European Market Has Us Drooling
Carlos Kirby
· 4 min read
Ford
has continued to evolve and still offers the safest car models
today. While the F-Mustang's production doubled in the US, the Ford Capri thrived in the European market. You can trace its success over the years to consistency and hard work. 
Why the Ford Capri is unforgettable
Ever wonder why the name Capri in the first instance?
Ford wanted to name the car Colt but discovered that Mitsubishi owned the Colt trademark. But the automaker picked Capri for two significant reasons. It was the name of a famous Italian Island. Two, Ford already owned the trademark Capri, making its branding easier.
All cars that had the name Capri were similar in several ways. One outstanding feature was that they came with two doors. Besides, the Capri series had powerful engines and were famous for their excellent performance. But their engines weren't as powerful as the Mustang.
Produced between 1969 to 1986, the Capri was a budget coupe intended for the European middle class. When it debuted in 1969, it came in at £850 (about $1500 in today's rate). Hence, it soon stole the hearts of many Europeans.
How did the Ford Capri change over the years?
In November 1968, production of the early Capris started in Ford's Halewood factory in England. In January 1969, Ford unveiled the car at the Brussels Motor Show. Some weeks after its debut, Ford had to produce the same cars in other locations to meet demand.
For about two decades, the Capri had a firm grip on the European market. Between 1969 to 1986, Ford manufactured two generations of the Capri.
Over the years, Capri featured 13 engine designs, and each successive production had a touch of freshness. The first and second generations were the Ford Capri MK I and Capri Mk II.
Manufactured in Germany, the Ford Capri MK I came with a 1.7-liter engine. But the British version featured 1.3 liter or 1.6 liter-four engines. It could take off from 0 to 60 in 23 seconds.
The second-generation Ford MK II Capri came with a 1.3-liter Crossflow engine, and after that came the Ford Pinto 1.6 liter and 2.0-liter engines. It's a fact that Capri had several decent engine options.
Besides the extraordinary engine power, Ford Capri had a sleek body like the Cortina's. It had the same front suspension setup as the MacPherson and leaf springs in its rear axles. Capri borrowed its steering design from the Escort, which was smaller.
A vintage car you will always desire
The Ford Capri indeed gave a lot of Europeans breathtaking experiences on the roads. Of course, that's like what the Mustang offered the Americans.
No matter the story behind its end, the Capri was a delight in its day. Above all, the Ford Capri provided fun and frenzy to middle-class Europeans.
Though a vintage car, many will drool on sighting the Ford Capri on the streets today. Former owners of the car will be excited to see you with one too. If you want to know the feeling of riding in a Ford Capri, you can buy the car. But research to ensure the engine is healthy before you pay.
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