| The Ford Capri, sporting a "muscle car" image due to | | | | A year after the release of the RS2600 saw the |
| its styling and marketing, has become a cult classic in | | | | production of the new Mark I Capri, sporting some |
| the UK, with parts and accessories easily accessible, | | | | changes such as a new engine, headlamps and |
| and a high number of owners clubs across the United | | | | greater comfort. A year later also saw the introduction |
| Kingdom. Not only was the Ford Capri styled in an | | | | of the RS3100, a larger capacity version of the already |
| aggressive manner, the muscle car image was | | | | powerful RS2600, with only 100 produced. After a |
| reinforced by a number of lucrative roles on the TV | | | | successful run of the Mark I, selling 1,200,000, the Mark |
| screen, staring in The Professionals, Brannigan and | | | | II was introduced to the marketplace. The Mark II was |
| Minder. With the car performing stunts, full throttle | | | | a more practical car in comparison, with the 1973 oil |
| speeds, and being portrayed as a fast, sporty and | | | | problem having a direct affect on the motor industry. A |
| bravado car on millions of peoples television screens, | | | | less lengthy bonnet, and the hatchback design made |
| the marketing line "The car you always promised | | | | the Mark II Capri more practical for the average |
| yourself" all contributed to a high demand for the Capri. | | | | motorist. The classic bravado image of the Capri was |
| Originally know as the "Colt" during the development | | | | still very much alive with the introduction of the John |
| stages, the car name had to be changed due to | | | | Player special. The 3 litre S and Ghia replaced the 3 |
| trademark infringements with Mitsibushi already holding | | | | litre GT in the mid seventies, due to lowering sales. |
| the trademark, the car was named the "Capri". The | | | | Whilst the Mark III Capri offered no different engine |
| name originates from an earlier Ford model, the Ford | | | | variations from the Mark II, the Mark III did sport the |
| Consul Capri 335, an unsuccessful model previously | | | | new classic headlamps from the RS2000, plus other |
| released. The original mark I model was released in | | | | changes. |
| 1969 and was intended to live up to its American | | | | New racing parts and accessories were made |
| counterpart, the Mustang, which had seen a great run | | | | available for the Capri in the UK, and 1981 saw the |
| in the United States, hence the campaign to portray | | | | introduction of the Capri 2.8 litre injection, replacing the |
| the Ford Capri as a bravado muscle car. The first | | | | 2 and 3 litre variations of the Capri. These introductions |
| range produced in the Dagenham Ford factory | | | | also saw Ford focusing mainly on the UK market due |
| included 1300cc and 16l engine variations, sharing | | | | to rapid declining sales across the world for the Ford |
| mechanical features of the Cortina therefore being an | | | | Capri. The reducing sales saw the Capri only sold in |
| affordable sporty car for the masses. More powerful | | | | the UK at the end of the production of the Fiord Capri, |
| variations were also produced, with the Ford Capri | | | | with the UK still demanding the cult classic. The Ford |
| 3000GT producing close to 140hp, and later the | | | | Capri had sold close to 2,000,000 models worldwide |
| introduction of the RS2600 in the early seventies. | | | | when production finally ceased. |