The many, MANY failed Ford Capri Reboots!

The Ford Capri was a flash of American excitement when it hit European roads in 1969, but like so many fashionable things, it was quickly overlooked as customers rushed to the next shiny thing. Ever since the last Capri update in 1978 Ford have been struggling to create a new Capri. This is the story of some of the alternate Capri designs, blind alleys and yes, concepts that were supposed to relight the Capri flame. I couldn’t have made this video without Steve Saxty and his excellent Ford books sitting behind me. There’s a link in the description if you want to learn more about them. This is the story of the many, many failed Capri reboots!
More information on Steve Saxty's excellent books about Ford of Europe's history: www.stevesaxty.com/
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Sources:
Steve Saxty - Secret Fords Volume 1
Steve Saxty - Secret Fords Volume 2
Steve Saxty - Secret Fords RS Icons edition
Steve Saxty interview
Patrick le Quément (P229 information)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Puma
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_F...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_F...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Callum
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinky_Lai
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_C...
www.speedlimit.org.uk/petrolpr...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Co...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ca...)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Mays
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques...
driventowrite.com/2014/03/31/...
www.noticias-positivas.com/fo...
web.archive.org/web/201411201...
www.media.stellantis.com/em-e...
www.media.stellantis.com/em-e...
www.fordtips.com/2021-ford-ca...
www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/fe...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_C30
www.autodaily.com.au/secret-f...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswa...
#bigcar

[@pushbikeman]

I remember well the excitement and buzz that surrounded the introduction of the Ford Capri back in 1969/70. People are just not excited by cars in that way anymore. Great video as always.

[@lucasRem-ku6eb]

UK, till the 80th ish, Capri was, young guys, first job, no kids! The Mustang was cheaper than this Capri in the US !

[@terryjacob8169]

I worked in a UK Ford dealership 1967-71. I can still remember the excitment at the launch of the Capri in February 1969. Our showroom was heaving with customers for a good fortnight afterwards; we could have sold countless more Capris than Ford could supply us.

[@lucasRem-ku6eb]

@@terryjacob8169 Back then, Amsterdam, we made our own Mustang Wagon !! Ford Amsterdam ! no lefties we made, you did make them all in the UK !

[@pushbikeman]

@@terryjacob8169 Brilliant reply, thank you! I too remember the street buzz, were we just young back then or have new cars just become boring?

[@levelcrossing150]

I can't see this being repeated again. We drooled over these first cars, in 1969. One in particular example was outside the garage I worked at. We were all gathered around it, It was a 2000 GT XLR if I remember right and one of the mechanics said there was even a bigger 3 litre on it's way. They were exciting, beautiful to the eye and special, like nothing we had seen before. It was a magical era that has long gone, I've never experienced such times since. Cars have changed so much in my opinion, over designed, overengineered, overplasticized, overcomplicated, over priced, unable to be fixed in the home drive which gives me no desire to want one.

[@irwin3381]

I remember watching Top Gear with the father years ago and they said that the concept car they were showing would be the new Capri. He was waiting YEARS FOR IT TO HAPPEN, but thankfully he didn’t sell his old one and still drives it to this day .,,,, love the style of the Volvo C70. The Ford Focus drawing looks very similar to the opel astra .

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

Is it true, Ford used to give a free book about the protocols, with every new car. if so, why did they stop?

[@dcarbs2979]

Fun fact: The Ford Capri was the first car ever to be reviewed on Top Gear. The current/new MkII in 1977 by...Angela Rippon of all people! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHSvdKCFfq9_qtE

[@dcarbs2979]

@@JamesSmith-qs4hx Not sure about Ford, but Rolls Royce did.

[@minusED]

Thank you - great as always! Love those vids with 'hidden' concepts cats, inner histories of models and insights into manufacturers processes and thinking. In retrospective it's even more exciting to see when corporate/board approach won over artistic/designers' one and vice versa. How sometimes dull and boring cars end up selling in numbers and how outrageous and bold ones flop, or how 'persistence of possessed artist', that was seemingly going against all odds, produced a bright hit, at times one that changes the whole industry.

[@simonwaters2332]

Back in the day, I judged my progress in life by the cars I drove. Started with a Vauxhall Chevette (please dont judge me) but then went to Capri. 1.6, 2 ltr Laser then a lovely 2.8i in black. Loved them all. Then just started driving cars I thought were fun. Ford Puma was great when I lived in Snowdonia and the roads there. Then onto Mazda. Still love the MX3, and tried to buy one on e-bay recently. You can keep your modern boxes, give me character, fun cars any day.

[@ErectedGasCan]

My family had a 1987 Mazda 626 LX for almost 19 years before we sold it, worked well even in the latter years and served me just fine as my first car as i got my drivers license.

[@CaptainHoratioPugwash]

I've been thinking that the solution is fairly straight forward and have been somewhat frustrated that Ford haven't seen it; make a competitor to the Toyota GT86 & Mazda MX-5 RF and call it the Capri but as soon as I learnt that they had attached the Puma name to a crossover I knew they didn't have the sense to do it. I think Mazda, Nissan and Toyota are the only "normal" brands with European operations that give a hoot about this segment now but I guess if less and less people are buying cars like that then that's how it will be. The affordable modern car market gets lamer and lamer.

[@baggierols73]

Good point about Toyota GT86 but with the Mustang now Ford's worldwide sports coupe, I don't think there'll ever be another Capri

[@baronvonjo1929]

The 86, BRZ, and Mazda MX-5 have really bad sales. I'm very suprised they are still in production. I guess thats why Mazda is letting the MX-5 get so old. Hard tk jsutify the costs of a new gen. People normally can only afford one car. They can't use a impractical sports coupe with a impractical trunk. Plus insurance costs on those are also higher. They need a one car does all. It makes a lot of sense why the segment is dying or pretty much dead.

[@nk53nxg]

The choice of new vehicles in the UK is getting more and more dull as time ticks on. The British consumer is a bit of a crowd following lemming all buying SUVs, now I have very little options for a large affordable estate car. Vauxhall and Ford no longer build vehicles for this segment, Honda no longer sell the excellent Accord in Europe, Mitsubushi canned the Gallant decades ago, the Nissan Primera/Bluebird was also consigned to the history books ages ago too. But these were honest affordable bread and butter family cars that I would still have. I know VW group, BMW and Mercedes all still build estate cars, but they are eye wateringly expensive and not that reliable, Volvo are lovely but again, I do not want a second mortgage to pay for. The Bitish public keep buying large SUVs, that actully have not much more cabin space than a large estate car, coupled with poor centre of gravity, crap aerodynamics and fuel consumption. I suppose the customer is king and the customer gets what the customer wants.

[@francomartini4328]

The problem is that it's a generational thing. Upmarket coupes such as the BMW 4 and 6 series or the Mercedes C and E class coupes tend to be bought by men suffering mid-life crisis who've got a bob or two to spare. Lower/mid market coupes are the preserve of the aspiring younger man with a decent job. Or at least they were when the model for the sporty GT coupe was the Ford Mustang which invented that market segment. With the appearance of the original Golf GTI in the late '70s though everything changed. Now that aspiring younger man with a decent job and a young family could kill two birds with one stone, i.e., a practical car that accommodated the wife, the kids and their luggage and something in which he could pretend to be competing in the Monte Carlo Rally on a stretch of twisty country road. The incentive for manufacturers to invest substantial money on what was fundamentally a niche body style shrivelled up. (It should be understood that the two or more car family only really existed in North America.) Since then things have gotten worse. Back when I was entering adulthood in the mid-'70s the first thing any young man entering the job market did was a) get a driving licence and b) go out and buy a used car. It was a rite of passage. By the 1980s girls were catching up with boys in doing the same thing. Over the last twenty years, however, the hassle and expense with car ownership plus the rise of the internet and the smart phone mean that the young are disinclined to spend money they probably haven't got to take a driving course, buy a car that they'll be lucky if they can afford to insure and which they have nowhere to park if they live in a city. Having said all of which, most of the car buying population wants roomy luxury and doesn't give a shit about sportiness because it's impractical and uncomfortable so they buy SUVs and crossovers. The Mustang still exists but these days it's a 5-door softroader available in an all-electric version. The only thing left of the original from 1964 is the badge.

[@johang7498]

@@baronvonjo1929 Interesting comment, that, but still I wonder: in the 1970s there were many sporty coupes, most of them following capris success: 400.000 of them were sold in the first 2 years. I'm assuming for many people back then, that also would have been their only car when they also had the option to choose a more practical saloon or estate car, even a few early hatchbacks. So there also seems to be a factor at play regarding the car that people think they need, especially as in lots of SUVs I see driving by, many people are sitting alone. I find it puzzling sometimes as a sporty car, coupe or saloon is generally a more handsome car to look at and if you're going to spend a lot of money on a car, why not on one that's more obviously a looker?

[@jamesengland7461]

My head hurts from all those twists and turns in the tale!

[@35dononeill]

What about the Ford Puma? I know it was based on the Fiesta but it had some of the capri hallmarks like tge back window.

[@janeblogs324]

Are there different newer pumas? Ours wasn't a fiesta

[@gavinlewis3049]

Your right, the puma was a good coupe, my friend had one and it was a great little car with good handling.

[@panzerpoodle]

Der puma 1 war super, ich hatte einen Import puma aus England mit 150 PS, der hat im Anzug fast alles verblassen, die rechts Lenkung war etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig, genau wie das schalten mit links🤣

[@josephrobson5588]

@@janeblogs324yeah, the new puma is a crossover hatch, I imagine it’s only sold in Europe. It plagues the uk and I’m really not a fan of it lol. They use it in wrc and I’m still not sold on it lol

[@vlad544_3]

​@Joseph Robson I also hate it as a Romanian, as it's being produced here and with the price, you can imagine how common it is.

[@r.markclayton4821]

When a kid back in the early sixties I used to get a magazine called Look and Learn. One edition had a photo from Ford of a clay of a two door coupe. This bore a very strong resemblance to the Ford Capri, but NOT the 1969 Mk1, but the 1978 version with four headlights, released 15 or 16 years later.

[@grahammesecke5342]

This guy researches his subject very well and presents in an informative and entertaining way.

[@savage22bolt32]

There were 2 Mercury Capris in my family, both were totalled after crashes. I thought they were a hoot to drive.

[@garrylawless3550]

Thank you yet again for an excellent video. I love Capri's, my Grandad had a MK1, my mate's Dad drove one with the louvre blind, and I was born shortly after the Capri was introduced, however I think the Capri was the right car at the right time, and unfortunately in today's world, when even car companies need to be careful with their finances, I don't think there would be enough demand to make a successor for the Capri, Maybe the in the early '90s, my opinion would have been a lot different, but not today.

[@jthomas3773]

Now everyone "needs" a pickup or SUV to haul their fat, solitary arse all over creation. I love it whenever gas prices rise, the TV reporters go interview people filling up at gas stations, and what gets aired? Some moron filling the biggest SUV on the road, acting all downtrodden about it. If they gave a rats arse about fuel economy in the first place, they wouldn't be driving a barn on wheels. Alone. All the time.

[@PhantasmagoriaNL]

Had a grey Capri 2.3s, I thought it was great, it had the looks, a V6 and a nice exhaust note. It was the car that got me hooked on fast Fords (till this day). I really like the image they had, affordable and fast, aimed at average Joe.

[@PaulabJohnson]

Interesting that we never got the 2.3 in the UK

[@paulillingworth1242]

That’s how Ford got it so right at the time, they offered value for money, great style and reasonable reliability.

[@theblackhand6485]

...got the cool looks, yes, but bad suspension!

[@aerotube7291]

Yeah totally an imagination inspiring combo

[@russcattell955i]

@@theblackhand6485 long ago two friends road rallied a mk1 1600 gt, fitted with Escort RS Mexico suspension. It was much better.

[@alexandertroy9621]

You wouldn't think it would be that difficult. Make a cool looking coupe. Call it a Capri. Job done!

[@msquaretheoriginal]

And then you look at the Probe and think "Really?" The Capri had the same problem as the Mustang, at least in Europe. You couldn't slap the badge on just anything. Personally, I think the second-gen Probe had the most Capri-like look, but a true Capri is rear-drive. When Ford was making rear-drive small cars, easy enough. Once they went front-drive on everything, not so simple. Now that the Mustang is essentially its own platform (always previously based on sedan platforms), Ford has to sell it everywhere it can to cover development costs.

[@cw7422]

I had a 1976 Capri II S 2.8. I removed all the anti pollution equipment and took off the catalytic converters and put on dual straight pipes. She was pretty fast then.

[@mrbenz2392]

Cool I had one too.

[@playgemji]

Every car fan appreciates your car-history videos. Keep up the good work!

[@Berven-gf9jq]

Geat upload again, Sir. A dear friend of mine has a collection Fords from this era. Granada hearse. V8 Perana. Granada limo. I think also a Capri and some Consuls. Best regards from a car detailer in Norway 🙂

[@razorsz195]

Sometimes, a legend is best left alone. Cars, games, films, sometimes that magical spark is hard to repeat, but sticks in the memory of those who enjoyed it. With what Ford has done to the mustang, i think its best left in the early 80s where it belongs :)

[@minshum]

The 80s Mustangs were the worst of all.

[@elicaul6506]

I have always thought there was some resemblance between the 1999-2002 Cougar and the 1993-2000 Fiat Coupé, and wondered if the Fiat influenced the design of the Cougar at all.

[@stevesaxty4645]

It did not - the Cougar was done in the Cologne no reference to the rather excellent Bangle Fiat

[@maddsheep]

In the United States there was a Mercury version of this car the Mercury Capri it was basically the same vehicle but left hand drive with some Mercury badges now it's kind of rare car to find though

[@plymouth491]

I never made that connection but I definitely see some similarities.

[@blxtothis]

Only in the Land of the Blind!

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@maddsheep only found one 2 years ago for sale in mint condition but the price was too high and it was made mainly of plastic the interior, the Puma was kind of a look a like but the fiesta chassi with a sporty body and a 1.7L engine (the first model)

[@DLIN666]

How this channel only has 209k subs is beyond me…informative, well researched edited and presented content every time 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@joelwilliams767]

Mad isn’t it?! Such good content.

[@DLIN666]

@@joelwilliams767 yer, and you don’t have to be a car nut to enjoy it. Also, it’s great to see a channel that hasn’t been lured into -scripted, cringy and fake endorsements- advertising (manscaped, ridge wallet etc)

[@BigCar2]

The next video has an endorsement. Sorry, but I didn't get paid for it. It's a Ukranian company that I'm happy to support.

[@DLIN666]

@@BigCar2 I’m only joking, I understand content creators need to get paid - and rightly so. Love your work. Fair play for supporting the Ukrainian company. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@fgialcgorge7392]

When my dad was stationed in Germany we had a 1978 Capri. He loved that car. I was only a toddler but I remember it and "helping" my dad wrench on it. He was really bummed when we had to go back stateside because his deployment was up. He ended up giving it to a Colonel because he loved it. Sadly, it was the last thing on his mind as we flew home because his brother, my uncle, had been killed and on the way to his funeral right off the plain and onto a bus my baby sister passed away from pneumonia and being prescribed the incorrect medication. My mother was pregnant and both were severely depressed. The Army took it easy on my dad and just had him be a driver for his base commander who just preferred to drive himself and was actually a clinical psychologist, so that helped. He was honorably discharged a year early and really had to take care of my mom who was not in a good place after my second sister was born. I only got to see her once in hospital and vividly remember what looked to me to be 100ft tall painting of Jesus staring down at me with a slight smile on his face and I told my mom Jesus was smiling and she would be happy. I was only 3 but that entire time in my life is incredibly clear. I've often thought about finding that Capri or a similar one and restoring it for my dad but I'm not sure if it would make them sad or bring back the memories of the happy times in Stuttgart. Cars are incredibly powerful in that way. Everyone remembers their favorite car, cars they wish they never sold, they can bring you back through time. The smells, how the surfaces feel, the sound, how it drives. They're magic if only for a moment but in that moment you can relive the best moments of your life...or worst.

[@michaelpielorz9283]

I had nine Capri. starting with the 1,7 V 4 and the 74 mkII is still is alive having a Granada 5-speed gearbox and a 180hp 2,8 engine.and a lot of improvements from the RS program and if I had to replace a rusty body part it will be made out of a shreddert Tesla (:-))

[@Brera011]

I had a Capri 2.0 litre model 1, 5, the one with the larger head- and taillights and front indicators in the bumber. Only 92 bhp, but after T installed a new head with double Webers and a bit more compression, it delivered a very nice 122 BHP. More than enough to beat those hated Opel Manta's. It was a real war between those drivers back then.

[@nightwheeler26]

Loved the video. Please make more about other legendary cars. This channel has become my primary source of automotive history

[@hannchris2762]

Great video loved it I think the key to the capris success was it's simplicity you would never get that today

[@rotax636nut5]

I had several Capri's, the best was a Mk2 with a 2 litre Pinto engine in it, I tuned the engine a little with a cam, exhaust and Weber carbs and took it round Brands Hatch short circuit, this would have been late 70's and got consistent 58 second lap times with the car more sideways than straight all round the track, a few years later with more work to the Pinto engine and my racer friend Aaron Tucker driving, the Capri was able to lap consistently in the 52 seconds region on road tyres which is actually very fast and only 1 second per lap slower than a modern Caterham R500. Performance wise the Capri was always a really impressive machine in standard form and when properly modified they were unbeatable on the race track 'Sausage' HT Racing Ltd

[@raycroal]

c,mon only on a 2 second track would a capri come 1 second behind a modern caterham

[@tridbant]

I drove a new 2.8 injection Capri. Beautiful car, I put my foot down and the acceleration was fantastic. The speedo needle moved fast up the gauge and then I noticed the fuel gauge needle. I actually saw the needle move down. I quickly took my foot off.

[@tomf4547]

Haha, finally bought one after 40 years. You're right about the acceleration and consumption. But ya just can't help it when you hear the noise 😁

[@LordFlashheart.11]

Had many 2.8s and 3 litres ghia's and S's. Had 6 or 7 at the same time for shows and daily use etc. I've never once seen the fuel gauge go down fast or had a "bag of sand or cement" in the back! They were and still are a fantastic car. The one I have now I fitted a chevrolet 5.7 litre V8 on a 5 speed gearbox...its a real piece of kit and still....the fuel gauge doesn't go down fast. They deserve all the classic status they get now and there have been so many misconceptions about them over the years. As a race car they won absolutely everything for many years too

[@tridbant]

@@LordFlashheart.11 well I booted it, maybe the acceleration moved the needle but no way were they economical when used to their capabilities. Besides which I’m talking about when the 2.8 first came out. They weren’t show cars then.

[@LordFlashheart.11]

@@tridbant well we would never buy a Capri or any kind of muscle car if you're concerned about fyel economy. But they don't half put a smile on your face and to be honest give me one of them any day over anything false narrative following electric with no character. I sat in a Paris blue 2.8i in a local ford showroom in 1986, I remember the smell of leather. Always wanted one that colour but one never came up for sale. Of course now they are well and truly out of reach due to price so I'll keep my V8 powered one. Your so lucky to drive one new back in the day👍🏻

[@EddieG1888]

They need to come back with an update to the MkIII "coke bottle" Cortina. Absolutely beautiful car.

[@Deepthought-42]

Couldn’t agree more. Everything is so ugly these days. Despite having the disposable income there are few cars that tempt me or are actually as enjoyable to drive. I prefer to leave my iPad at home ( to watch and rant on KZbin 🤣) rather than use it to set the heater or open a glove box. Send the geeks back to their computer games and employ some good designers and engineers instead.

[@spazemonkey376]

You do a great job in researching and conveying all that information into a nice 18 min video. The Capri of the late 60s to early 70s was a great looking car with good performance for the money. It’s unfortunate that people no longer buy coupes like they use to, I guess the Mustang pretty much meet the needs that a Capri would fill in Ford’s current lineup.

[@restyleband5522]

Another fantastic and very fascinating Video. I love to watch these, interesting and a trip down memory lane too. Thank you for producing these Videos.

[@BigCar2]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@elilevine2410]

I’m really enjoying the information contained in each and every one of these videos ❤❤❤

[@nitroforce87]

I remember back when the Mk3 Focus came out, there were an abundance of rumors saying that Ford was going to bring back the Capri as a 2dr Focus hatchback coupe nicknamed Ford Focus Capri and that the design was going to be inspired by the Evos concept.

[@bugjuicer]

That's a fascinating story I had no idea about! And to see all these other cars spawned from failed Capri concepts, that's pretty amazing!

[@wightangel]

Thank you for a great documentary. Being a keen driver of these in the 80's(i owned 4 altogether) I have often looked back and wished I had taken greater care of them.

[@joem5639]

My first car was a 73, Mercury Capri 2.8 ltr, 4 speed. Loved that car. Would love to find one today but they were such rust buckets I doubt there are many left.

[@Lousy_Bastard]

You know someone somewhere kept one perfect in a garage and wants a fortune for it.

[@RAF71chingachgook]

I worked with Ian Callum at Ghia. He was my design manager. 1988.

[@wilfamos7314]

Brilliant video as ever. Thank you so much for posting. 🙂

[@stevewaudby9739]

Great informative video. I always enjoy watching. Thanks...

[@TD402dd]

I had the 1972 American Capri, but everyone called it a Ford Capri. It was attractive, young minded, decent handling, and a 2 liter engine (100 BHP). It wasn't high quality, but the seats looked good, with no radio or air conditioning. No matter I loved my car until I traded it for a Fiat 131 Mirafiori that handled amazingly, rode smoothly, strong engine, air conditioning, Blaupunkt stereo FM radio. It was wonderful, but it never had the pizzazz of the Capri. Two years later I traded it for a Lancia Beta Coupe in Red with leather seats, wonderful stereo and air with a 5-speed manual. It was the best handling car I ever drove, and I have an Audi TT now.

[@BigCar2]

More information on Steve Saxty's excellent books about Ford of Europe's history: www.stevesaxty.com/ Errata: The TT-like car wasn't designed by J Mays but someone in his team. The Cougar was made in Flat Rock, MI, not Flint Rock!

[@theblackhand6485]

HI. Very good. Very good vid. indeed. Thx.

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

Is it true, Ford used to give a free book about the protocols, with every new car. if so, why did they stop?

[@mariemccann5895]

You lose credibility making basic mistakes like this.

[@howardkerr8174]

Excellent video, unfortunately you left out 1 iteration of the Capri. In 1966 and 1967 the Mercury division of Ford sold a midsized car called the Comet Capri...or as the cars were badged: Capri. In 1966 the Capri lineup included a 2 door hardtop coupe, a 4 door sedan, AND A STATION WAGON. This model was a " step up " from the " base " Comet, the 202. In 1967 the Capri wagon was re-badged Comet. BTW, the 66 Comet Capri sold 34,000 units in its 3 body styles, the 67 was less well received selling about 21,000 in 2 body styles.

[@travislostaglia8861]

There was also a Lincoln capri in the mid 50’s

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

I Pardon me, is it true, Ford used to give a free book about the protocols, with every new car. if so, why did they stop?

[@kyle8952]

The first one was the Ford Consul Capri around 1961. It was a two door with the four door called Consul Classic.

[@danvandal4127]

Always looking forward to your clips!

[@fredericducomet.boquier7920]

Thank you so much for this video ! Thé very first Ford Capri is, for me, the only one Capri and a model of beauty..🦉🙏👍

[@Wildmutationblu]

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm a child of the 70's and the capri was always cool, mainly because of 'The Professionals'. More Ford videos please. Great video.

[@MrDuncl]

You can still get the Corgi model of that.

[@johndoyle4723]

Thanks, very interesting, I thought you were going to miss out on the Ford Consul Capri which predated what most people think of a Capri, but you got there in the end.

[@BassmanXK]

My second car was a turquoise Consul Capri with grey and silver inside , I went into the local Ford main dealer, for a gearbox support.and they denied the car existed , loved the car and so did all the local kids

[@MileyonDisney]

I had a couple Capris in around 1981 (I think they may have been 1978 models). V6, 4-speed - they were really peppy cars. I like the design of them, too. The later ones, not so much.

[@sameffie7897]

It's a simple solution, take the capable chassis from the Mazda mx5 chuck in a 2.3l ecoboost, wrap it in a retro inspired body and slap a capri badge on the back

[@aaronhussain3873]

It's a shame really. The Capri is one of Ford's most loved models, but I can't help but think we'll never see anything like it again. I believe Ford did patent the use of the Capri, Granada, Cortina and Consul names alongside a few others in about 2020-ish. But I worry what the outcome of each will be...

[@MikeDiscusses]

Most like electric crossovers and maybe a 3 row large suv for the Granada

[@boheyo]

I guess one glimmer of hope to cling onto is that the way EVs are structured mechanically might bring development/engineering costs on a new coupe down to a level where it makes financial sense to build one for a relatively niche audience once again.

[@suburbiapheonix7960]

I always felt a real challenger to the Capri came from Toyota with the Celica and Supra models. Strange you did not mention those. Also missing from your story line was the head turning Aston Martin take on what the Capri could have become. The Opel Manta as a rival was also in the mix in its many forms. Still you have done one thing. Inspired me to breath new life into my own Capri. The neighbours will hate you for this... :D

[@RUfromthe40s]

celica supra not celica & supra, the Opel manta mkI ,i kept one that belonged to my father it had a litle manta made of iron on the side front panels next to the door, but later opel released a kind of coupé/sport car with a new name but it looked good later my father bought the late 80´s senator with irmsher parts ,big sedan but very nice to drive and the size of the original steering wheel was much litle compared to the 70´s model

[@suburbiapheonix7960]

@@RUfromthe40s Erm. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Celica and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Supra . Sorry Rui but they were two different cars.

[@MrDuncl]

The person who I bought my Capri from had replaced it with an A60 Celica (only sold as a liftback in the U.K.) That was the only car I spent a long time wanting but when I went to test drive one it didn't have enough headroom for me, which was also a problem in the later / more upmarket Capris with sunroofs.

[@MeatsackMiracle]

Im in vegas and want to know seriously if you want to sell it?

[@iamthebroker]

@@RUfromthe40s huh? Toyota Celica and the Toyota Supra are seperate and distinct vehicles.

[@Yormsane]

Thank you for shedding light on this mystery for us! I'd always wondered why the Capri nameplate never re-appeared on a European Ford. Vauxhall's Firenza badge seems to have also vanished into history. I did like that EV Manta concept though, so all may not be lost... yet

[@msquaretheoriginal]

Oldsmobile did use the Firenza badge, first as a trim option on the Starfire subcompact and then as Oldsmobile's version of the GM J-car, also known as Cavalier MkII and Opel Ascona C.

[@45green1]

Nice one, I have always been a Capri fan, despite not having a driving licence, school friends had them end of 70's and 80's something about that shape, early rounded or later straight lines, some interesting concepts there

[@justinabbottabbott7892]

Thank you really enjoy your videos very informative as always

[@BigCar2]

Glad you like them Justin.

[@danilugojeanulsarbuoficial7392]

Great video as always, keep up with the good work 😊👏

[@scottfabel7492]

My Dad had a '74+/- Ford Capri. It was a fun car. I was too young to drive at the time, but it was pretty cool. Miss that car.

[@brianmoore6306]

Man Alive! I learned a lot from this video. It was quite informative!!! Thank you!

[@themamosians62]

excellent documentary, thankyou very much

[@thomasp.4649]

Im from Germany and i like your different British look at the car history . Thank you for the videos. Thomas

[@nottjohn9418]

Another great video. I had a mk3 1.6 Laser in silver. It was a proper fanny magnet! 😅

[@richardford7322]

I've never heard of any of this! Thanks for the education.

[@christopherdean1326]

13:21.This would have been a superb re-imagining of the Capri! I have always had a soft spot for the Capri, it was the first car I wanted, and in 1983, I finally got my hands on a 1972 3.0 GTXLR. Loved every minute of ownership, and hated having to get rid of it.. Nearly 40 years later, I am trying to convince myself that I could/should buy a fully restored 1971 Perana!

[@eattherich9215]

It would certainly be recognisable.

[@Blokey857]

It's definitely got the DNA of the original design of the capri.

[@zzhughesd]

Fascinating as ever. Love all the vids. Big Car.

[@dicklerche9557]

Another excellent video. Thank you 👍

[@-POISON-]

A dedicated Calibra episode would be nice.

[@glenn6583]

It pleases me to remember the Mercury Capri! A fun little sporty car.

[@paulanthonyjohns]

Really great video. My first two cars were the Ford Orion and then the Sierra. I really liked the Visos.

[@yolandalindsay8368]

The classic capri defined the shape of a capri and was made at a time of car development that is long past. Extra long hoods and long overhangs, which helped define the capri, are now considered impractical car designs. Nice video. Thanks for the memories.

[@jameslewis2635]

The Capri is probably the design that caught my imagination (along with the likes of the Mk1 Escort and Mk1 Golf) when I was a kid (despite its 'sheep in a wolfs clothing' reputation) but I was never able to afford one as by the time I got a driving licence they had become quite rare and expensive.

[@janath9118]

Me too. The Ford Capri was the car which caught my imagination when I was young but I never was able to afford one where I live here in South Asia. However one of my uncles owned a Capri 1300 for a short period in the 70's before loosing it due to some legal entanglements.

[@MrDuncl]

My first car was a two door MK1 Ford Escort which was full of rust when it was nine years old. After three years I upgraded to a Capri. I was rather surprised when about ten years ago, chatting to the owner of a nice Capri he said that the car he had really wanted was a MK1 Escort but he couldn't afford one so settled on a Capri. The Capri was supposed to be the car Escort owners promised themselves, especially if said Escort was an 1100 like mine.

[@aidendow1532]

My first car was a mk1capri for £120 .I now have a renault clio. We never know where life will bring us

[@lucasRem-ku6eb]

Design, engendering you meant !! Cheap hatchback art ? ugly family cars...

[@laurencemoore2105]

What alarmed me was the Capri being driven through the surf at the top of the video, I was worried it was going to dissolve in that salty water! 🤣

[@ChristiaanNdoro]

This is such a great video on so many levels. I wish corporates would actually listen to the masses. A retro design would work well, however one needs to be very careful

[@jamesengland7461]

I love the shorter early Escort concept!

[@Eu_Talvez]

Great video! Thank you :)

[@zahemi914]

Really wanted one as a kid when watching The Professionals in the 80s

[@robertandrews6555]

Loved my 2nd car, a met blue 1.6s..... Vented 2.8 inj Brakes, 2.8 inj bilstein gas suspension, 128lb single rear leaf springs grey recaro strobe interior......7" inj special RS wheels Everything on that 1.6 that could be off a 2.8 inj special was on there that could be was .........it basically taught me diy spannering which eventually led me to build (with all new parts and healthy levels of ocd) my fantastic ac cobra replica, without the capri the big cobra would probably never have been built, ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Danger_mouse]

6:45 Fun fact. The DB7 uses Mazda tail lights from the 323 5 door (Astina) that you mentioned later in the video 🙂

[@adrianrutterford762]

Wonderful stuff. Thanks

[@rowlewis81]

great video as always

[@gamingreflections6476]

13:22 The side closest to the camera is definitley my favourite

[@robertavery152]

You called that right - with the recent SUV Coupe electric Capri being announced a couple of weeks ago 👍🏻

[@jimadams7765]

Why doesn't anyone remember the original UK Capri? A soft topped version of the Consul Classic? Actually, I think it might have been a two-door coupe. Early 60's?

[@davidspendlove5900]

It was a coupe.

[@culcune]

The Mustang-based Capri we had in the US starting in 1979 was a bit of an anomaly. It wasn't too well known here, and low sales numbers did it in. I found that a shame as I owned a 1986 version with the 5.0 V8 and 5-speed manual transmission (I bought it used in 1989) and '86 was the last year for that version of the Capri because the Mustang changed its shape in 1987 (which lasted pretty much identical through 1993), so Ford killed off the Capri before the new 1987 Mustang came out so they wouldn't have to deal with upgrading the Capri as well. The Capri from 1984 through 1986 had a very large aero rear window on the hatch as compared to the contemporary Mustang, as well as the fenders and quarter panels were slightly flared out. Many people had no idea the Capri existed as they thought it was a special edition of the Mustang, or some did not realize it was available with the Mustang GT's very powerful (for the time, of course) 5.0 V8 and thought it was only available in with the available 3.8 V6.

[@RUfromthe40s]

i saw a ford capri mkI in los angeles in 1977 ,a litle beaten up

[@culcune]

@@RUfromthe40s That is how I remember them in the 80s--they were all beaten up a bit, lol.

[@the_kombinator]

0:43 lol that looks like my old Topaz AND Escort in one car!

[@ronmccullock1407]

fantastic video

[@ronmiller5419]

Had a 81 Capsi RS. Yes it was a Mustang. But the fender flairs different grill and tail. Made it stand out against all the ponys. Great fun car.

[@Twolife]

I own an 82 Capri RS 5.0 since new (40yrs) and because of the differences you mentioned plus the big hood scoop, it was sportier than the Mustang.

[@bobtepedino5661]

3:45 Unintentionally hilarious is the fact that, in introducing this Ghia Capri proposal, you say "Under 'TURD,' Ghia offered a coupe version..." Well done, Sir! Well done!

[@smarte.r.1450]

Thank you. Loved that

[@anssi2267]

Round headlights is the way to go no matter if it is a Capri, Escort or a Taunus.

[@wearetomorrowspast.5617]

I had a Mark 2, red, back in the day when you could buy a car for 100£ and it might get through the next mot. Such a fun car to drive. Cool vid, brought back some good memories. Cheers.

[@Rapscallion2009]

The thing about the Capri was that it was good value. It was barely more than mundane Cortinas - fair dos as it was pretty similar to produce. Ford today seem to think that making a hatchback into an "active" design (raising the suspension) means the car is now a desirable "SUV" worth considerably more than the basic hatch. I drove a 2.0 Cougar once. It was basically a Mondeo. Which is good.

[@CDBC]

I've driven a Monteo and a Tempo. Which was weird as they were similar jelly moulds, but rwd or fwd ...

[@marshmower]

Raising the altitude raises the price. I like those trapezoids and boxes. Put fins on em. I wish this "bloated bean on wagon wheels" style would disappear.

[@rovingenglishman]

Cool vid! Good to hear about market trends too. It’s often not the designers’ faults if a car doesn’t make it, it’s the market environment. Some bloody awful designs there tho. Pretty shocking how crappy the Ghia stuff was. I predict a return once we’ve all gone electric 👍🏼

[@leeturbo387]

With out the lovely people like you the younger generation will never apriciate our era, keep up the good work 👌

[@montyriviera795]

Capri 1.6, my first car. Stuck a Bigger Carb and a hi lift cam on it and got some Ghia Capri wheels,sprayed those gold. I still have nice dreams about that car...

[@mukhumor]

Wow there were some jaw dropping clangers in there. 'Ford Clanger'.

[@crf80fdarkdays]

Damn I'm really liking this channel, brilliant content

[@vimfuego1]

I like that Opel Manta

[@just-another-guy]

My first car was a MKI Capri 1600 GT XL. Loved that car.

[@neilforbes416]

The Australian Ford, based on the Mazda 323 was, in fact the *Mazda 323* rebadged as a Ford Meteor. I know because it was the first car I owned. Its bonnet opened forward rather than the traditional backward-opening of other cars. The hatchback version of the Mazda 323 was rebadged here as the Ford Laser. My Meteor was a bugger to drive, it had no power steering and I felt ill-at-ease driving it on any long-distance trips. And because it ran on LRP(Lead-Replacement Petrol), it would just "conk out" when I eased up on the accelerator to go round a corner or through a roundabout.

[@bill-a-bongbill6228]

Smashing video keep them coming,

[@FirstOnRaceDayCapri2904]

As a Capri owner, i hope it never gets rebooted. They'd ruin it.

[@suburbiapheonix7960]

I agree. I think if one ever did appear it would be a struck on badge exercise on a mundane design. Best they don't do that. One look at how the MG image went from sports to stick on badges gives you an idea.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Now I can see why Ghia aren't around anymore. Thank god.

[@SubTroppo]

I've never understood why the Italian design of cars was so celebrated, when the Fiat 124 was there for all to see. I imagine that the Italian design studios efforts were butchered to conform with the lowest common denominator of American taste, but Fiats were a "home-grown" product.

[@williammurphy3766]

Thanks for a terrific trip down (ancient) memory lane! I recall an article around 1970 where the female journalist bought a Capri for a basic price of £1,000 and added around £500 of extras. She included just about every imaginable extra available at the time, including a recorder so that she could dictate her articles while on the move. Did anyone mention another of my favourites, the VW Scirocco, which was similar to the Capri in general concept? VW produced it in two desirable generations, but it has not continued to the present day. Again the market is no longer strong enough for such coupes.

[@martinolivier7970]

we here in the south had the capri purana. my dad took a escort marc 1 a capri purana dif and a old 69 short v8 chev with a Toyota Cressida 84 gearbox that car was crazy

[@tonymusolino2369]

Had an ‘83 mercury capri black magic. Should’ve never got rid of it. My favorite car of all time.