Mercury Capri History

Sports car · 1970–1994

History

The Capri name covered three distinct cars in the US. From 1970 to 1978 it was a captive import — the Ford of Europe Capri, a sporty coupe (later hatchback) sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers and a strong seller in its day.

For 1979–1986 the name moved to a US-built hatchback that shared the Fox platform — and most of its hardware — with the Ford Mustang. Finally, the 1991–1994 Capri was an Australian-built, front-wheel-drive convertible roadster based on Mazda mechanicals, launched to chase the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Generations

First generation · European captive import (1970–1978)

A Ford of Europe Capri coupe/hatchback imported and sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers — a popular sporty import of the early 1970s.
- 1971
  Photo: “1971 Mercury Capri (29483958150).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1973
  Photo: “1973 Capri 2600 Enhanced.jpg” by Vegavairbob ( talk )user Vegavairbob/Robert Spinello. Original uploader was Vegavairbob at en.wikipedia derivative work: Ubcule ( talk ) / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1975
  Photo: “US Ford Capri V6 2800 1975.jpg” by papurojugarpool ; Cropped and minor alterations by uploader Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1976
  Photo: “1976 Capri II Black Cat edition (6219118688).jpg” by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
- 1977
  Photo: “1977 Mercury Capri Ghia (7769009292).jpg” by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
Second generation · Fox-body (Mustang twin) (1979–1986)

A US-built Fox-platform hatchback sharing its structure and drivetrains with the Ford Mustang, including 5.0 V8 versions.
- 1979
  Photo: “1979 Mercury Capri RS (37141247122).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
- 1980
  Photo: “1980 Mercury Capri.jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
- 1982
  Photo: “1982 Mercury Capri RS - Flickr - dave 7.jpg” by dave_7 from Canada / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
- 1985
  Photo: “1985 Mercury Capri GS 5.0L, front right (Wings-n-Wheels 2023).jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1986
  Photo: “1986 Mercury Capri ASC McLaren 5.0 SC Convertible (36454333704).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
Third generation · Australian Mazda-based roadster (1991–1994)

An Australian-built front-wheel-drive convertible on Mazda underpinnings, aimed at the Mazda MX-5 Miata market.
- 1991
  Photo: “1991 Mercury Capri XR2 Convertible (19401437834).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
- 1992
  Photo: “Mercury Capri XR2 (1992) (54804663524).jpg” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
- 1993
  Photo: “1993 Mercury Capri (29340315732).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0