What was the Ford Capri based on?
The Ford Capri was a sporty fastback coupe produced by Ford from 1969 to 1986. It was designed to be an affordable, European-style sports car that could compete with the Opel Manta and Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. The Capri was based on the underpinnings of the Ford Cortina, a popular mid-size sedan, but featured a distinctive and stylish fastback body design.
Origins and Design of the Ford Capri
The Ford Capri was conceived in the late 1960s as a way for Ford to enter the growing European sports car market. The car was designed by the Ford design team, led by the legendary stylist Philip T. Clark, who had previously worked on the iconic Ford Mustang. The Capri's fastback silhouette and long hood-short deck proportions were inspired by American muscle cars, but the overall design was tailored to appeal to European tastes.
The Capri shared its basic platform and mechanical components with the Ford Cortina, including the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. This allowed Ford to leverage existing engineering and manufacturing resources to bring the Capri to market quickly and cost-effectively.
Variants and Engines
Over its 17-year production run, the Ford Capri was available in a wide range of trim levels and engine options. The base models were powered by four-cylinder engines, while more powerful six-cylinder and V6 engines were offered in higher-performance variants. Some of the most notable Capri models included:
- Ford Capri 1300: Entry-level model with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine
- Ford Capri 2000: Midrange model with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
- Ford Capri 2.8 Injection: High-performance model with a 2.8-liter V6 engine
- Ford Capri Turbo: Turbocharged version with a 2.8-liter V6 engine
The Capri's sporty character and wide range of engine options made it a popular choice among enthusiasts, and it gained a loyal following in Europe and beyond.p>
Legacy and Impact
The Ford Capri was a significant success for Ford, selling over 1.9 million units during its production run. It helped establish Ford's reputation for producing affordable, stylish, and performance-oriented vehicles in the European market. The Capri's design and performance also influenced the development of other sporty coupes, such as the Ford Probe and the Mazda RX-7.
While the Capri was discontinued in 1986, it remains a beloved and iconic car among enthusiasts, and its legacy continues to inspire Ford's design and engineering teams to this day.
