Ford (D) Capri I 2300 GT
(1969 - 1972)
Car articles about Ford (D) Capri I 2300 GT by year
At the end of the sixties, the Ford Capri was the family coupé to beat. Fiat competed against it with the 124 Coupé, but even with the most powerful variant it had to overcome a deficit in cylinders and displacement. In practice, however, two fewer cylinders and a 700 cm3 smaller displacement had much less of an impact than expected. Thanks to its modern design, the Fiat was also aimed at real sports car fans. This faithful reproduction of the historical test report in the magazine 'hobby' compares the Ford Capri 2300 XLR and Fiat 124 Coupé 1600 in their most powerful variants, supplemented by plenty of historical images.
The Ford Mustang had paved the way. Towards the end of the sixties, young people with and without families wanted a practical yet individual and attractive vehicle. This was true not only in America, but even more so in Europe. The marketing people at Ford took the lead and drew up a specification around the mid-sixties that read something like this: A sporty body in the style of a sports coupé, a comfortable interior with space for four adults, low production costs and sales prices, many customization options in terms of engines and equipment variants. In 1968, a prototype was secured for the first time and generated premature publicity; the Ford Capri was then officially unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in 1969. And it hit like a bomb. This article looks back, sheds light on the technology and development over 17 years, shows the Capri in racing and on the road and is illustrated with many old and rarely/never seen illustrations, brochures and information.
Suppose you have You have 7000 marks in the bank and a soft spot in your heart for coupés, how can you combine the one with the other? Well, with 7000 Marks you are a coupé candidate who is by no means spared the agony of choice! How would you like it? Sporty, automatic, family-friendly, rally-like? You can have it all in the variants we want to present here... However, in the selection of Fiat 850 Coupé, DAF 55 Coupé, Opel Rallye Kadett and Ford Capri tested, the elegant and sporty Capri comes out on top. The details can be found in the comparison test from 1969.
The Ford Capri is one of the most successful and popular sports cars in history. Its design roots go back to the early 1960s, with both German and English designers playing their part. This article, which is around 40 years old, explains how the shape of the Capri came about, which designs did not make the running and how the actual design process took place. Interesting not only for Capri fans, not only because of the many illustrations.
When the then still unknown Walter Röhrl set the fastest times in a Ford Capri RS 2600 at the 1972 Olympic Rally, the organizers believed it was a measurement error. Röhrl drove a Ford from the tuning company Kleint R.S. in his first rally season. One of the rare sister cars has survived and is now being restored by trainees with a difficult social background in the same way as Röhrl's car at the Olympic Rally. This article reports on the restoration project and the history of this very special Capri.
In the 1960s, people in Germany still had to choose between driving culture and capacity. Saloons offered little storage space, estate cars were utility vehicles. Always? No! Because even back then, a German manufacturer had a station wagon with a six-cylinder engine in its range. With up to 108 hp from 2.3 liters, the Ford 20M Turnier had a superior engine and was as comfortable as the sedan. This short historical test weighs up the pros and cons.
In February 1970, AR published an exceptionally comprehensive long-distance test. Five models (1300, 1300 GT, 1600, 1600 GT, 2000 GT) of the new Capri in four equipment variants had gone through the entire test procedure, thousands of kilometers had been covered. At five densely printed pages, this was probably the most comprehensive test ever presented in Automobil Revue. And the AR editors summed up the test quite positively: "With the Capri fastback coupé, those who make the marketing decisions at Ford of Europe have achieved a unique coup. The resounding success of this model is due to the combination of various sales-promoting features such as a sporty, elegant shape, four seats, a wide range of engines and equipment and, last but not least, the low prices of the basic models. Drivers with real sporting ambitions cannot warm to the Capri. Young people or couples with small children, on the other hand, for whom chic lines mean more than sporty temperament, comfort and manageability, will "feel at home" in the Capri, because it is a beautiful car."
Ford took the American youth by storm with the Mustang in April 1964. At the beginning of 1969, it was Europe's turn to be delighted by Ford with a stylish everyday sports car for the whole family. The Capri combined reliable mass-produced technology with an incredibly attractive coupé body and became a global success. Our driving report tells the story of the Mini-Mustang once again and shows it in many contemporary and current pictures.
The Ford Capri was also extremely successful in motor racing. Ford set the course early on and laid a good foundation for popular and top-class sport with the RS 2600. In many countries, Capri cars were at the top of the national championships, but they were also successful in international competitions. In 1971, Dieter Glemser won the European Touring Car Championship in the over 2-liter displacement class. In 1972, Ford even took the first two places in the European Touring Car Championship and also won the touring car classification at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After the touring car title had to be relinquished to BMW in 1973, it was regained in 1974, when Hans Heyer became European champion. From 1978, after a break, Ford competed with the turbo Capris, which were developed by Zakspeed. The car was a sensation, but for various reasons there were no title wins until 1981. The revenge came in 1981. Klaus Ludwig took pole position in every race of the German Racing Championship and won ten races. A side effect was the lap time of 7 minutes 18.4 seconds that Ludwig set on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, only slightly slower than the Formula 1 cars a few years earlier. Ford Capri cars were also used in rally and rallycross sport. The 250 hp 4x4 Capri special versions, which were vastly superior to all competitors in rallycross, were particularly special.
At the end of 1970, Ford Cologne decided to build high-performance models for fun and sport itself in future and to sell them through a network of selected dealers. The first product of the Ford subsidiary AVO was the RS 2600, a 150 hp Capri for DM 16,000. In the first test, the hot-rodded Capri revealed its sporting talent - as well as an almost unquenchable thirst.
At the end of the 1960s, Swiss engineer Michael May launched a turbo kit for Ford engines that was suitable for everyday use, long before BMW, Porsche and other suppliers. First installed in the Ford 20 M RS, it soon spurred on the Capri in particular to produce more power. The magazine 'hobby' was able to test two Capri Turbo models in 1971 and was impressed by the performance that could be achieved. This article reproduces the original wording of the test at the time and shows the technology and vehicle in pictures.
Faster, sportier and tougher - the Ford Capri RS 2600 converted all those doubters who had previously denied that the Capri was a sports car. And it was also reasonably priced, especially compared to a Porsche 911, which it was on a par with in terms of performance. At least that's what Auto Revue reported after its test drives. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report at the time and shows the car in historical photos and the original sales brochure.
For 20,000 francs, the buyer received an uncompromising road version of the racing Capri in the form of the RS 2600, which could also take on much more expensive opponents in sprints on straight stretches. Tight bends, however, were not the RS 2600's thing, and the hard suspension also called for compromises. At least that was the conclusion of the AR testers after they were able to subject the fast Capri to a short test. Enthusiasm prevailed, however, as the driving performance was too attractive.
With the model change from the 12M to the Taunus, Ford also changed its principles. Away with false modesty. From now on, you can show what you've got - and even a little more. While the splendid new shape met with harsh criticism from the trade press, it was well received by the public. It was this that made the Ford Taunus TC a sales success despite teething troubles and design weaknesses. As the opulent 2300 GLX, the Taunus suddenly made even far more expensive cars look cheap.
Current market prices for Ford (D) Capri I 2300 GT
Coupe, 125 PS, 2293 cm3
Coupe, 107 PS, 2293 cm3
Coupe, 107 PS, 2293 cm3
Coupe, 88 PS, 1592 cm3
Coupe, 75 PS, 1699 cm3
Coupe, 90 PS, 1998 cm3
Coupe, 125 PS, 2550 cm3
Coupe, 125 PS, 2550 cm3
Coupe, 50 PS, 1305 cm3
Coupe, 54 PS, 1293 cm3
Coupe, 60 PS, 1498 cm3
Coupe, 72 PS, 1592 cm3
Coupe, 140 PS, 2993 cm3
Coupe, 150 PS, 2637 cm3
Coupe, 150 PS, 2637 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 64 PS, 1298 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 107 PS, 2293 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Ford (D) Capri I 2300 GT
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford D Capri I 2.0 GT XLR 1970 Sold H&H Classics The Donington Park Motor Car Auction (May 18, 2016) |
Capri I 2.0 GT XLR | 1970 | Sold | H&H Classics The Donington Park Motor Car Auction (May 18, 2016) | |
| Ford D Capri I RS 2600 1970 Sold Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 2015 (November 14, 2015) |
Capri I RS 2600 | 1970 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 2015 (November 14, 2015) | |
| Ford GB Capri Mk I 3000 GT Broadspeed 1971 Not Sold ACA Kings Lynn Auction (June 18, 2016) |
Capri Mk I 3000 GT Broadspeed | 1971 | Not Sold | ACA Kings Lynn Auction (June 18, 2016) | |
| Ford Capri 2.0 GT 1971 Sold ACA Kings Lynn Auction (January 25, 2014) |
Capri 2.0 GT | 1971 | Sold | ACA Kings Lynn Auction (January 25, 2014) | |
| Ford GB Capri Mk I 1600 GT 1971 Sold Brightwells Classic & Vintage Cars and Motorcycles (May 11, 2016) |
Capri Mk I 1600 GT | 1971 | Sold | Brightwells Classic & Vintage Cars and Motorcycles (May 11, 2016) | |
| Ford GB Capri Mk I 1600 GT 1971 Sold ACA Kings Lynn Auction (November 5, 2016) |
Capri Mk I 1600 GT | 1971 | Sold | ACA Kings Lynn Auction (November 5, 2016) | |
| Ford Capri 1600 GT Period Special 1970 Sold Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale (November 12, 2022) |
Capri 1600 GT Period Special | 1970 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale (November 12, 2022) | |
| Ford GB Capri Mk I 1600 GT 1971 Not Sold Classic Car Auctions UK Classic Car Sale (September 24, 2016) |
Capri Mk I 1600 GT | 1971 | Not Sold | Classic Car Auctions UK Classic Car Sale (September 24, 2016) | |
| Ford Capri 2000 GT 1972 Sold Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Klassische Fahrzeuge (July 3, 2021) |
Capri 2000 GT | 1972 | Sold | Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Klassische Fahrzeuge (July 3, 2021) | |
| Ford Capri Mk1 GT XLR 2.0 1971 Sold Brightwells Classic & Vintage Cars and Motorcycles (November 27, 2013) |
Capri Mk1 GT XLR 2.0 | 1971 | Sold | Brightwells Classic & Vintage Cars and Motorcycles (November 27, 2013) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Ford (D) Capri I 2300 GT
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