What was the original name of the Ford Capri?
The Ford Capri began life as a Cortina-based two-door prototype, commonly referred to in development as the Cortina Coupe.
In the late 1960s Ford’s European design and marketing teams sought a sporty, affordable model to broaden the Cortina lineup. To avoid diluting the Cortina brand, Ford ultimately named the production car Capri, a move that positioned it as a distinct, more glamorous coupe rather than just a variant of the Cortina.
Origins of the Cortina Coupe concept
The Capri’s origins lie in Ford’s effort to create a two-door, sportier alternative built around the existing Cortina Mk II platform. Early discussions and internal references used the term Cortina Coupe to describe this proposed model, signaling its relationship to the mainstream Cortina while highlighting its distinct two-door styling.
Key naming milestones
Before presenting the car to the public, Ford’s teams used a development shorthand to describe the concept. The following milestones illustrate how the name evolved from an internal concept to a production model.
- Cortina Coupe — the development name for a two-door Cortina-based sport coupe.
- Capri — the production name chosen for the distinct model marketed as a sporty, independent Ford offering.
These naming steps show how Ford separated the new model from the Cortina line while signaling a standalone, sport-oriented identity.
Impact of the Capri name
Adopting the Capri name allowed Ford to create a separate branding identity and appeal to buyers seeking a stylish, performance-inspired coupe. The shift from Cortina-based concept to Capri production helped the model stand on its own in a competitive European market and contributed to the Capri’s lasting association with 1970s and 1980s road culture.
Summary
The Ford Capri originated as a Cortina-based two-door concept known internally as the Cortina Coupe. Ford later formalized the production name Capri to establish a distinct, sportier identity separate from the Cortina family, a branding choice that helped define the model for decades.
What was the predecessor to the Ford Capri?
The name Capri comes from the Italian island and this was the second time Ford had used the name, the previous model being the Ford Consul Capri, often just known as the Capri in the same way the Ford Consul Cortina and Ford Consul Classic rarely used the "Consul" in everyday use (the Ford Consul Cortina was officially ...
Was the Ford Capri based on the Cortina?
Launched in early 1969, the Ford Capri was seen by some as a European Ford Mustang. It was based on the best-selling MkII Cortina with which it shared many components. Unlike the Cortina, it featured rack and pinion steering.
What was the Ford Capri called in America?
Derived from the Australian Ford Laser (sold in the United States as the first-generation Mercury Tracer), the Ford Capri also shares drivetrain commonality with the Mazda 323. To adapt the Capri for United States sale, Lincoln-Mercury made several changes over the Australian-market Capri.
What year was the first Ford Capri made?
The original Ford Capri was released in 1969. It was unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1969 and was produced by Ford of Europe until 1986.
- 1969: The Capri was officially introduced to the public in 1969.
- Production: The first generation (Mark I) was produced from 1969 to 1974.
- Success: The car was a sales success, selling one million units in the first five years of its launch.
- End of original production: Production of the original model ended in 1986.
