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Ford fans are gearing up for a series of special events to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic Capri.

Born in 1969, the Capri was made until 1986 and in that time nearly two million were sold.

It was marketed as "The car you always promised yourself" and was seen as Europe’s answer to the Ford Mustang.

It was launched with a range boasting 26 derivatives, and with a mixture of engines – 1.3, 1.6, 2.0, and a 3-litre V6. There was also the Cologne-built RS2600 and the shor...Read the full article

Despite the failure of the Probe and Cougar in Europe, i reckon Ford should give the mid-size coupe market a go again with a Mondeo based model. If Renault and VW can take the gamble for 'mass-market' brands, with Vauxhall to follow suit, then why not Ford. Maybe 3rd time lucky for a Capri replacement!

The Tickford version of the 2.8 injection was a bit tasty.

Lanehogger:

Despite the failure of the Probe and Cougar in Europe, i reckon Ford should give the mid-size coupe market a go again with a Mondeo based model. If Renault and VW can take the gamble for 'mass-market' brands, with Vauxhall to follow suit, then why not Ford. Maybe 3rd time lucky for a Capri replacement!

If they do this, they need to make it a "budget" coupe with mass market appeal, and not go down the route Renault and Peugeot have done with semi luxury GT's, with a premium price.  It would need to be drop dead gorgeous and priced cheaply to appeal. 

Or to put it another way, a competitor for the modern day Hyundai coupe.

Lanehogger:

Despite the failure of the Probe and Cougar in Europe, i reckon Ford should give the mid-size coupe market a go again with a Mondeo based model. If Renault and VW can take the gamble for 'mass-market' brands, with Vauxhall to follow suit, then why not Ford. Maybe 3rd time lucky for a Capri replacement!

Totally agree and I was just about to post the same comment! They had good sucess with the Puma as well and they are still a good buy today.

TegTypeR:

If they do this, they need to make it a "budget" coupe with mass market appeal, and not go down the route Renault and Peugeot have done with semi luxury GT's, with a premium price.  It would need to be drop dead gorgeous and priced cheaply to appeal. 

Or to put it another way, a competitor for the modern day Hyundai coupe.

I suppose something based on the Focus platform would seem sensible, can't see why they chose to build something as seasonal as the Focus CC but not invest in something that would boost sales all year round such as a coupe.

 

 The Tickford body kit was hideous though, even at the time. Little did we know what Barryboy monstrosities were going to follow.

In an ideal recession-free world, what should happen is that Ford Europe - now free of the millstone of the X-Type - should suddenly discover that the new Mondeo chassis can take RWD transmission. Match it to the V6 engines or perhaps the Volvo/Focus 5-pot turbo and add a pumped up 3-door body.

Would Ford Europe ever do RWD nowadays?

Zadster:

 The Tickford body kit was hideous though, even at the time. Little did we know what Barryboy monstrosities were going to follow....

Oh I don't know. Granted, I was only a whipper snapper then, but I thought for those days the Tickford body kit was kind of cool, or maybe that just shows up my lack of taste. Anyway, didn't the Tickford versions also include engine and chassis mods?

Audi Tastic:

Would Ford Europe ever do RWD nowadays?

Don't know about Ford Europe, but Ford US can still do a cracking RWD, que the Ford GT.

It's amazing how much we have advanced in terms of engineering integrity and manufacturing quality in 40 years. Aspirations have changed a little too. I doubt that a coupe from Ford will ever be seen as so desirable by so many people ever again.

Audi Tastic:

Would Ford Europe ever do RWD nowadays?

With out Jaguar, possibly?  With the current economic situation though I can't see it happening again for quite a few years, if at all.  Unfortunately even Ford US has only larger RWD platforms to work off, so there's not anything they can "borrow" from them.

There is always the argument that front drivers, especially Fords, are as good as a rear drive set up now for the average person that would buy the car.

The Capri that ticked my boxes as a kid was the Broadspeed Bullit, a wild supercharged (or was it a turbo) 3.0 litre monster that in it's day could run with 911s, Astons and the Jensens of the time.     Much more subtle looking than the later Tickford too.    Hard to find these days, but if I ever stumbled on a genuine one at a good price.....  :)