Ford Capri listed in all time Ford failures - Ford Forums

RPO83 · 06-11-2003, 07:23

The Australian built Ford/Mercury Capri was listed in the Detroit Free Press article "10 most significant cars and 5 worth forgetting"...alas the car was listed under the 5 worth forgetting section...

1991 Mercury Capri

It seemed like such a good idea at the time: Have renowned Italian design houses Ghia and ItalDesign create a little convertible, use Mazda parts for quality and build it in Australia to keep it affordable.

The best-laid plans . . .

The front-wheel drive Capri was repeatedly delayed within Ford, eventually hitting the market about the same time as the vastly superior and more attractive Mazda Miata.

"It was almost free of redeeming qualities," said David C. Smith, editor-at-large of Ward's Auto World magazine. "It had absolutely no curb appeal."

In addition to a design that had grown old before the car ever went on sale, the Capri was burdened by quality problems.

"Ours was in the shop all the time, and it was no fun to drive when it was running," Markus said.

Ford killed the car in February 1994.

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XR8fella · 06-11-2003, 16:27

i remember 60mins and those shows doing a thing on them because they were such a lemon. But that kerb appeal problem, nothing a 351 and blower cant fix !!

Ford4Eva · 06-11-2003, 20:40

,In Oz, apart from the initial leaking roof which the press really had a field day with, the capri is a great car to drive. Especially the Tickford Clubsprints...yummy. But by the time the revised versions hit the market the damage has already been down in Australia...also the MX5 is a much better vehicle.

The US-delivered capri...well that is a strategic disaster. Ford US have themselves to blame putting the Capri under such and UNASPIRING brand - mercury...translated as old fart brand.

Capri - public relations and marketing nightmare that Ford Australia should forget. But I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the later versions with the blower and leather seats.

XWJG34 · 06-11-2003, 22:10

My mrs has a late 93 XR2 non turbo... and it is nothing like the media portrayed it. Sure it ain't no MX5 but it's not that bad.

We have no major issues with the car except with the bottom of the roof. The car has been serviced at Ford from new till about 90,000 ks till I got it.

I'm sure if people knew how to maintain convertables from new, we wouldn't have a problem now. I'll fix it when I get the time though. All we've done is service it... new tyres, brake pads and that's it. All it needs is shocks and a exhaust and she right as rain.

Goes to show you how marketing can kill a product. I agree the early Capris 88-89 models were uninspiring. I also agree with Ford4Eva and say the later versions were nice eg XR2/Clubsprint. These should of come out first!!!

Ford4Eva · 06-11-2003, 22:22

Quote:

Originally posted by XWJG34

Goes to show you how marketing can kill a product. I agree the early Capris 88-89 models were uninspiring. I also agree with Ford4Eva and say the later versions were nice eg XR2/Clubsprint. These should of come out first!!!

Yes the XR2s are lovely you are very. It is interesting to note that Trevor Worthington dabbled in the makeovers of these lovely vehicles when he was still one of the engineering boys at broady. I'm actually looking for a Clubsprint to buy later this year when its summer and my finances are back on track.

rsgerry · 06-12-2003, 05:53

the concept was great, but the early models were uninspiring and the styling was already 5 years out of date. the clubsprint was a lovely car, much rounder than the original.

pity it never worked out.

Tripper · 06-12-2003, 06:05

Im glad it was the latest Capri and not the early models which are awsome with a V8 under the bonnet

xageetee · 06-12-2003, 18:41

Had a Clubsprint Capri for about 18 months - was a brilliant little car, and was by far the best looking, with some Australian design input, and on smooth roads a good handler.
I was also unfortunate enough to drive an early non-turbo single cam model, I couldn't believe they were essentially the same vehicle - horrible is one word I would use to describe it.

Tza · 06-20-2004, 18:05

I just wished they didn't call it a Capri. They have no resemblance to the original Capris. And give they name bad press. There's a million different names they could have used instead of ruining a great one. Did Ford Australia just have heaps of Capri badges to use up since they never built the original Capris? Who knows.
The problem was they were more expensive than rival convertibles like MX5 and the roof leaks.

Mr Jucy · 06-27-2004, 07:10

They were actually a fair wack cheaper then the MX5s when new & had an extra 2 seats & more grunt in turbo form but no they were definately not as good a car