Browsing through corporate archives always has the special charm of a miracle bag. After all, you never know what you might find. Take, for example, a recent Ford historical photo search. Not only the well-known sports car from 1969 to 1986, but also other Capri models suddenly appeared under the keyword 'Capri'.
We're not talking about the two-ton Capri electric SUV that soccer legend Eric Cantona tries so hard to make look cool in ads. We are talking about the beautifully named 1972 Mercury Capri Ghia Station Wagon, which you can see in the photos. And you're probably thinking: but this is the Taunus TC Turnier we had between 1970 and 1975. Correct. And yet there once was a van called the Capri. But probably not in series production, at least you won't find a sales brochure with it.
The first-generation Ford Capri was introduced in Europe in early 1969 (designed by British Ford using local components from the Cortina MkII and Escort, with plans dating back to 1964 when development of the European version of the Mustang began), from April In 1970, it was marketed by the Lincoln-Mercury division. Although sold as part of the Mercury model range, the Capri had no brand name, just the word 'Capri' on the bonnet. Priced at $2.300 at launch, the Capri was billed as a budget sports coupe (no higher trim levels, unlike European-market versions such as the GT, RS, L, XL, and XLR) that was much smaller than Mercury's Cougar models and Montego.
Adapting to the American market, the Capri was slightly modified: the two rectangular headlights of the Ford Capri were replaced by four round ones (as in some high-end Capri models for the European market, such as the RS or GT - the rectangular lights were not in accordance with the regulations), also turn signals and side marker lights were installed on the grille; Rostyle rims were standard equipment. Initially powered by a 1,6-liter Kent Crossflow four-cylinder engine, the North American Capri gained a 1971-liter OHC four-cylinder in 2,0. In 1972, Mercury introduced the 2,6-liter V6 Cologne as an option, making it the first V6-powered vehicle offered by the Ford Motor Company in the U.S. market. In 1974, the V6 engine was enlarged to 2,8 liters as Ford redesigned the castings for the engine block and cylinder heads.
For 1973, the front bumper was redesigned to meet the 5 mph (8 km/h) bumper standard. The former chrome bumper was reinforced with a steel tube and attached to the frame with shock absorbers (which lengthened the body by a few centimeters). The radiator grille, rear lights and rear moldings of the Capri model were also changed during these changes. As part of the interior renovation, the Capri received a new steering wheel, a new dashboard and seat upholstery, as well as a redesigned wiring harness. For 1974, thick 5 mph bumpers were installed front and rear.
A Mercury version of the Ford Mustang II called the Capri was briefly considered (a proposal that used the Mustang II's 2+2 body with a rounded rear quarter window and distinctive body shape), but strong sales of the European Capri as an import for its own needs to abandon these plans. After the 1977 model year, Lincoln-Mercury stopped importing the Capri II from Ford of Europe, and unsold examples continued to be sold in the 1978 model year. Between 1970 and 1978, Lincoln-Mercury sold a total of 513.500 Capri IIs. At its peak, the Capri's annual sales in North America were the highest of any import vehicle (with the exception of the Volkswagen Beetle). Starting in 1979, the Mercury Capri was based on the new Fox-body Mustang model. For the 1991 to 1994 model years, Mercury sold the Ford Capri roadster, designed and manufactured by Ford's Australian subsidiary in the US, as the Mercury Capri. This front-wheel-drive Mazda MX-5 rival had a 1,6-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 74 kW (101 hp) in the naturally aspirated version and 99 kW (134 hp) in the turbocharged version.
What about the Taunus Turnier aka Mercury Capri Ghia Station Wagon? In the inscription from the archive, the abbreviation CN is written, apparently the vehicle was available in Canada. The most logical explanation: In 1970, the entry-level Falcon was dropped from Ford's North American lineup and replaced by the Maverick. However, unlike the Falcon, this one was not available as a hatchback. Incidentally, the Maverick Mercury's sister model was the Comet. From 1977, the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr models followed, which were again available as hatchbacks. The importation of the Taunus Turnier model, which was compact by North American standards, may have been considered, especially with GM in mind.
Mercury Capri and Capri Station Wagon (1971-1979)
A similar approach was taken by General Motors in the first half of the 1970s: From October 1975 to July 1900, the Ascona A and Manta A were sold under the names "Opel 1900" and "Opel 1971 Sport Coupé" (model years 72/1973), and from the 1,9 model year the "Opel Manta" through Buick also in the USA. There was a three-door hatchback named 'Sportwagon' available here. All models were powered by Opel's 76-liter four-cylinder engine with 56 hp (7,6 kW) and a compression ratio of 1:1975; in the 82 model year it was fitted with Bosch fuel injection, making 60 hp (170.000 kW). Approximately 1900 XNUMX series vehicles (Ascona and Manta) were sold in the US.
