Rare But Nobody Cares?

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The Ford Capri was an Australian made sports car that had the misfortune of coming to market at the same time as Mazda’s MX5. What would become the biggest selling convertible sports car in history versus a roadster based on a Ford Laser was somewhat of a mismatch. But does the Capri offer something a bit different for the entry level classic car buyer today? Or is it a case of rare but nobody cares? Read on...

Maybe if the Mazda MX5 had never made it to market the Capri would be seen in a different light. It was cheap, was built on the reliable Ford Laser platform, and offered accessible wind in the hair motoring. The body and interior were designed by Italian powerhouses (Ghia and Italdesign) which gave the Capri a hint of style if mechanically it was a bit humdrum. The base model got an underpowered 1.6 Laser engine driving the front wheels, and the underpinnings were basically from a very unsporting Laser hatchback.

Sadly, for Ford Australia, and happily for the rest of us, the MX5 did make it to market, offering pretty sports car looks, a bespoke platform and an eager twin cam engine driving the rear wheels.

Perhaps anticipating the MX5’s release, Ford rushed the Capri to market, delivering a car with solid underpinnings but less than robust over-pinnings. The roof leaked badly and the fit and finish was poor. Even a leaky, rattly roadster might have got away with it had it not been for that pesky MX5.

Only a few hundred Capris were sold in NZ, but a surprising number still survive today. By the time that this featured car was built many of the faults with the early cars had been ironed out, and the Laser mechanicals were known for their reliability. The engine was now a slightly more spicy twin cam unit, although in this case, married to a three speed slush box.

So, if you want a great and fairly inexpensive roadster then the MX5 is still the one to have. However, the Capri has rarity on its side; a non-conformist option with a very low price of entry. This car has had just a couple of private owners and has low kilometres (147,000). With an auction guide of $1750 - $2750 maybe you care enough to be a bit different.

More details here.