History:
The Capri MK II was launched on to an unsuspecting market in February 1974. The energy crisis was beginning to take effect world-wide and especially the sporting cars were affected by this developement.The new model, however, not only a sportscar. Load-carrier, shopping car, familiy transport of fast continental GT; the MK II could be all these things.
GT
In 1970, work began on "diana", as the MK II projekt was called in his developement. The wheelbase and the front track of the earlier Capri were retained, only the rear track was increased from 1,328m to 1,384m.
In term of styling, Capri II gained considerably from an increase in glass area. This also increased the weight which began now at 1010 kg for the small-engined modells to 1090 kg for the Ghia. The third door also increased the weight, becouse the torsional rigidity caused by the big hole in the back had to be strenghtened.
Inside, the improved dashboard layout fo the latest MK I was rolled over in Capri II and included the easy-to-read speedo and rev counter on the more expensive versions.
Under the bonnet, the capri II rang came powered by a variety of engines, from the 1.3litre Kent unit (which replaced the modern 1.3liter OHC from the ´73 modells) to the 1.6 litre units with 72 and 88 BHP. Also available in England, there was the 2.0litre OHC version, in Germany it was the cologne 2.3litre V6. Top-of-the line unit was the 3.0litre with 138 BHP which made problems on german highways. The gearboxes were also equiped with different ratios between Germany and England on the OHC-units, only the 3.0 litre ratios were the same.
1.6litre OHC 3.0 liter V6
Underneath, the spring rates have been changed yet again, and given softer settings to align the ride quality more with the broader family attraction of the new Capri range.
The new Capri II offered four levels of interior trim, ranging form the base L trough the XL and GT variants to the luxurious Ghia. The engines were not available on every model. The base L pack, for example, was only found on the 1300 and 1600 cars while only the 1600 Capri could be ordered with the intermediate XL-package. The top-of-the-range 1.6 OHC 88BHP, 2.0litre(GB) 2.3litre(G) and 3.0litre were only available in either Ghia or GT form.
Capri II L Capri II Ghia
Initial interest in the Capri II was reflected in strong sales volumes: a total of 183.000 cars were sold in the first year of manufacture. However, this figure dropped back markedly in 1975 (100.000) and in 1976 (101.000). This was the year, that the Capri lost the American market.
In October 1975, Ford introduced its value-for-money scheme, a key point in the Capri II´s career as the many optional extras became standard fittings, thereby boosting sales interest. The XL was replaced by the GL which boasted sports wheels, a centre dash console, halogen headlamps and the sporty bicket seats of the GT. The GT was replaced by the S models with bolt-on front chin spoiler, increased spring rates, and gas dampers. The model was available in a full range of body colours, thought the body decals of the June 1975 launche JPS-Capris were retained.
In Germany the 88 BHP OHC was replaced by the cologne 2.0 litre V6, which was a sucessful engine for the capri.
L 1976
It was during that period, that the capri began to feel the effects on one of its closest rivals, the Opel Manta and the Volkswagen Scirocco. The production of the Capri II was completely transfered to Cologne. Although, it was time for a new Capri, the MK III which was introduced in 1978.
Versions:
1974 - 1975:
L-version, seat-belts in front
Motorisation: 1,3 Litre with 40 kW ( 54 BHP )
1,6 Litre with 53 kW ( 72 BHP )
XL-version, like the L-version, but with heated rear-window, black sill and black rear-end
Motorisation: 1,3 Litre with 40 kW ( 54 BHP )
1,6 Litre with 53 kW ( 72 BHP )
GT-version, sport-wheels
Motorisation: 1,6 Litre with 88 BHP
2,3 Litre with 108 BHPV6
3,0 Litre with 138 BHPV6
Ghia-Modell, Alloy-wheels, Side-protectors
Motorisation: 1,6 Litre with 88 BHP
2,3 Litre with 108 BHPV6
3,0 Litre with 138 BHPV6
JPS-Model, from March 1975, Black with gold stripes, Alloy-wheels, tinted glass.
Motorisation: 1,6 Litre with 88 BHP
2,3 Litre with 108 BHPV6
3,0 Litre with 138 BHPV6
1976 - 1977:
L-version, black bumpers, now with sport-wheels and heated rear-window
Motorisation: 1,3 Litre with 40 kW ( 54 BHP )
1,6 Litre with 50 kW ( 68 BHP )
1,6 Litre with 53 kW ( 72 BHP )
GL-version, now with side-protectors like the Ghia.
Motorisation: 1,3 Litre with 40 kW ( 54 BHP )
1,6 Litre with 50 kW ( 68 BHP )
1,6 Litre with 53 kW ( 72 BHP )
2,0 Litre with 66 kW ( 90 BHP ) V6
S-version, frontspoiler GFK, all chromed parts black eloxiated, side-stripes like the JPS-Capri, 5,5Zoll Alloy-wheels.
Motorisation: 2,0 Litre with 66 kW ( 90 BHP) V6
2,3 Litre with 79 kW ( 108 BHP ) V6
3,0 Litre with 101 kW ( 138 BHP ) V6
´Ghia-version, tinted glass, rear-windows.
Motorisation: 2,0 Litre with 66 kW ( 90 BHP) V6
2,3 Litre with 79 kW ( 108 BHP ) V6
3,0 Litre with 101 kW ( 138 BHP ) V6
Interior:
1974-1975:
Standard-L-Interior, on XL-interieur, the carpet has the same color as the seats. boot without carpet
GT-interior, dashboard with aditional instruments, backseats separated, boot with light and carpet
Ghia-interior, seats with integrated headrests,
steering-wheel with leather
( no photo yet, sorry ) JPS-Capri. seats black with golden cover
1976-1977:
L-interior, now with separated backseats and boot-carpet.
All models with levers at the steering wheel instead of push-buttons
GL-interior, seat of ex-GT, dashboard from the L-Modell
( no photo yet, sorry ) Ghia-interior nearly the same as 1974, now with wood-application on the dashboard.
( no photo yet, sorry ) S-interior with different steering-wheel, dashboard without chromed fittings of the instruments.
Wheels/Tires
Standard for L and XL 1974 - 1976 and
early GT-models.
Size: 165 SR 13
Sportwheels for GT-models 1974 - 1976 ( on early GT´s for an extra charge ), from 1976 standard on L-models and GL
Size: 165 SR 13, on GT 185/70 HR 13
Alloy-wheel for Ghia-models 1974 - 1978,
between the spokes matt-black, sometimes anthrazitmetallic.
Size 185/70 HR 13
Alloy-wheel for S-models from 1976. like the Ghia-wheel, but silver.
Size 185/70 HR 13
Alloy-wheel from the RS-programm, 7 "
Size: 235/70 HR 13
JPS-Wheel
( No photo yet ) Alloy-wheel, golden spokes, 6"
Size: 185/70 HR 13
Intro:
1976 Capri II 3000 Ghia
The Capri II was born in 1974 amid a gloomy economic climate, and this, with the cessation of US exports of the Capri, saw sales figures of the new generation Capri at half that of the original. The new breed wa larger, had more space, with a better ride and generally was a much improved car, it incorporated a hatchback with the fuel tank repositioned to behind the rear axle under the floorplan. The V6 offerings were the 3000GT and 3000Ghia - the newly aquired Turin styling house's influence resulting in a higher level of luxury than Fords had previously enjoyed, with liberal use of plush fabrics and extra padding to the now opulent interior. In terms of performance, the 3000 twin-piped engine in its new shell did not not sparkle as much as the retiring 3000GXL, but improved brakes and tyre combinations made it infinitely more controllable. The Ghia enjoyed vinyl roof, tinted glass, sunroof and stood on unique 8-spoke alloy roadwheels.
