The Mk1 was built from November 1968, launched January 1969 and ran to December 1973, on Kent 1300 and 1600 overhead-valve fours, the Essex V4 2000 from March 1969 and the Essex V6 3000 — the Zodiac engine, 138bhp — from September 1969, with the 3000E from March 1970. Above them sat the RS2600 of September 1971 (2637cc Cologne V6, Kugelfischer injection, 150PS) and the RS3100 of December 1973, 250 built for homologation with 9.75in ventilated front discs, single rear leaf springs and a ducktail spoiler. The 1972 facelift is the Mk1’s main parts divide. From June 1972 every model got the 3-litre bonnet bulge — and it was not styling, it was clearance for the incoming Pinto single overhead cam engine that replaced the Kent. The September 1972 facelift then brought larger lamps front and rear, a new fascia, a two-spoke wheel, rectangular headlamps in place of round, new seats and a rear anti-roll bar in place of the original axle link, with softer suspension. You will see “1971 facelift” in print too; the June and September 1972 dates are better supported.
The Mk2 of 25 February 1974 is the first Ford with a hatchback: shorter bonnet, more glass, and a launch range of 1.3 (55PS), 1.6 (72PS), 1.6 GT (88PS) and 2.0 (99PS) fours, the 2.3 Cologne V6 (108PS) and the UK-built 3.0 Essex V6 (140PS). In May 1976 the 3.0 GT gave way to the 3.0 S and Ghia, and in October 1976 Halewood stopped building Capris altogether and all production moved to Cologne — so a late Mk2 and every Mk3 is a German car. The Mk3 of March 1978 brought the black Aeroflow grille, quad headlamps, a metal front spoiler and sawtooth rear lamp lenses. The 3.0 Essex V6 was dropped for the 1982 model year on emissions grounds and replaced by the 2.8 Injection of 1981, the first regular Capri since the RS2600 with fuel injection, fitted with Granada V6 ventilated front discs. Five speeds from January 1983; a limited slip differential only on the 2.8i S from October 1984. European production ended 30 November 1984, after which only right-hand-drive cars for Britain were built, to 19 December 1986.
Ford Capri — specification & changes within the model
- Brakes — the whole answer
- Front disc brakes standard on every Capri, all three marks. Rear drums on everything except the Tickford, which is the only rear-disc Capri.
- Suspension
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MacPherson strut front with rack and pinion. Mk1 and Mk2 are live axle on leaf springs. From September 1972 the Mk1 gained a rear anti-roll bar in place of the original axle link, with softer springing.
- The 1972 bonnet bulge
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June 1972: every model got the 3-litre bonnet bulge. It is clearance for the Pinto SOHC engine replacing the Kent, not a styling change. September 1972: larger lamps, new fascia, two-spoke wheel, rectangular headlamps, new seats. (Some sources date the facelift 1971 — the 1972 dates are better supported.)
- Mk1 engines
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Kent 1300 and 1600 OHV · Essex V4 2000 (Mar 1969) · Essex V6 3000, the Zodiac engine, 138bhp (Sep 1969) · 3000E (Mar 1970). RS2600 Sep 1971, 2637cc Cologne V6, Kugelfischer injection, 150PS. RS3100 Dec 1973, 3098cc Essex V6, 250 built, 9.75in ventilated front discs.
- Mk2 and the move to Cologne
- February 1974, the first Ford with a hatchback. October 1976: Halewood stopped and all Capri production moved to Cologne. A late Mk2 and every Mk3 is German-built.
- 2.8 Injection dates that decide parts
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1981 — launch, with Granada V6 ventilated front discs, new suspension and alloys. January 1983 — five-speed gearbox (four-speed before). October 1984 — the 2.8i S, with leather and a limited slip differential. An LSD car is an October 1984-on S. November 1986 — the 280 “Brooklands” run-out.
- The New Zealand trap
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Check whether your Capri is British or Australian. Australian-assembled Capris were sold new in New Zealand with Falcon-sourced components to meet Australian local-content rules. No source says the Capri was ever assembled at Seaview, so treat an NZ Capri as imported — British or Australian — until you know otherwise.
- Numbers
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1,886,647 built. The millionth on 29 August 1973; peak year 1973 at 233,000.
