1978-86: the Ford Capri MKIII

With competition having seriously intensified during the decade with the arrival of, among others, the Renault 15 and 17, the Opel Manta and the Volkswagen Scirocco, the Ford Capri underwent a second facelift at the end of winter 1978.

The models launched in February differ from their predecessors with their hoods that extend slightly over the grille, their standard dual headlights, their front fascia, and also their matte black bumpers with plastic end caps. The interior has also been redesigned with a more understated look. The 80s are making their presence felt; chrome and flashy colors are a thing of the past.

The French buyer now has a choice of the following engines: 1300, 1600, 2000, 2300 and 3000 cc, with power outputs ranging from practically single (70 DIN horsepower for the 1.3 L version) to double (138 DIN horsepower for the Capri 3000 S, the latter capable of a top speed of 200 km/h).

December 1986: The Capri is finished!

Despite the wide range of choices offered to customers, the Ford Capri was clearly losing momentum by the end of the 1970s. To try and revive sales, Ford launched several limited editions (Capri Cabaret, Calypso, Cameo, Laser) and returned to high-performance versions (with the exception of the rare British Capri 3100 RS, of which only 248 were produced in 1973/74, the Capri 2600 RS had remained without a successor after its discontinuation). Thus, at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1981, the new Capri 2.8L Electronic Injection was unveiled. Equipped with the Ford Granada engine, this version boasted 160 DIN horsepower and ventilated front disc brakes; it was also the first Capri to be offered with a five-speed gearbox.

A few months later, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Capri 2800 Turbo appeared. Lavishly equipped with aerodynamic accessories and boasting 188 DIN horsepower, the 2800 Turbo could reach 215 km/h, making it the fastest of all the Capris sold by Ford. However, its production run was short, and it was never officially imported into France.

At the end of 1982, the Capri "S" and the 2.8 L Injection received a five-speed gearbox, with overdrive in the case of the 2.8 L.

With the discontinuation of the largest displacement models (1.3L and 3L) in March 1983, the range appeared more homogeneous than before. But the end was near. The Capri, with its outdated chassis and underpowered engines, seemed like a dinosaur of the automotive world and suffered in comparison to the Ford Sierra and the new, more efficient front-wheel-drive hot hatches for the average driver. The trend for large, American-style coupes was over.

In April 1984, the Ford Capri ceased to be sold in France. By November of the same year, only production of right-hand drive Capris, reserved for the British market, continued in Cologne. The last Ford Capri rolled off the assembly line two years later, in December 1986. It was a special "280" edition, the final iteration of the 2.8L injection version. Nearly two million Ford Capris had been sold since the model's launch seventeen years earlier.

An impressive success, especially when compared to the figures achieved by the competition: 765,100 Volkswagen Scirocco, 498,533 Opel Manta and…300,443 Renault 15/17.

PassionAutoFrance is a partner of Club Capri Passion since 2010.