just one more thing if you have never raced a 16v astra with a capri unless you have a 2.8tt.( turbo technics). a mk2 16v will win every time, and that is coming from some one that owns both cars and raced both cars against each other, the standard 16v will trance a 2.8i and that will trance any 2l capri unless it has full race cam, twin 40's-45's webbers, piston swap and so on. i love capris have done since i was a kid and every capri that i see try its luck with an astra has lost. im not saying it can't be done but then you just chip the astra change the cams and put on throttle body's or a turbo and then the capri is just back where it started at the back. so if you really want to beat atras up either get a big hammer or a well sorted turbo capri or essex engine or v8 if you have money to spare. just remember the 16v engine is pretty much bomb proof and will take anything you throw at it, plus the astra has half the wait of a capri to start and comes with 150bhp in the mk2, capri 2.0l has about 95bhp all you have to do is the sums. even the injected sierra lump has only got about 115 bhp. so there you have spend about £1500-2000 on a pinto or the new twin cam 16 from a sierra and still only have about 160-170 bhp and the astra will still beat it, to get 170bhp on the astra only cost about £500 max and that includes the rolling road session to set the car up as well. so just remember just because you dont like a car does not mean they are slow or shit or whatever, each to their own you know. go and get some races first and then critisize but i don't think you will. and they have not all rusted away, just look on autotrader or ebay, and if you are ever down in essex or margate there are plenty of them round here. if you do come here i will glady put my standard 16v up against your 2.0 capri. off my soap box now, keep the capri legend alive remember to flash your lights when you see other capris and all will be well in the world.
hi georgezippybungle, just to let you know think you done a good thing with your capri but if you come up against a mk2 astra 16v you would loose, sorry mate its just how it is, have 1 now and a 2.8tt and the astra is not far off it in temrs of speed the 16v engine is such an awsome lump untill you drive 1 fast against another car you cant imagine how good they are , it will slaughter a standard 2.8 off the lights, and my astra is standard aswell still has rev limiter, this removed lets the car go mad mate. any way not nocking your car but i have raced both the 2.8's against astras and lost and raced my astra against 2.8's and won every time, so unless your 2.0 llitre is putting down more power than a 2.8 you will loose, that or astras you raced had tits driving them, but my guess is you have not even come up against one yet and if you did would you want to admit loosing to one, after all they are probaly all rusted away right. keep the capri going mate, let us know if you have beefed up the power more or had it on the rollers and put a print out on here with a pic of your car. just remeber to stay realistic and that just cos it has not got a ford badge it dont mean its shit, thers lots of cars i hate but its each to their own, if we all drove the same cars life would suck, then you wouldnt have cars like the maclaren f1, e-type jag, xj220, the various italian beast, various cosworths ( one of my pet hates,but only because every little snot nose think they are the best cars on the road i hate snot nosed teens that think they know every thing ) and so on.
i have owned 3 capris now, 1, 3.1gxl that was wickedly fast car, a standard 2.8 that was in superb condition but felt like it was going backards as you need to cane the arse off them to make them move, and now i have a 2.8 tt feel's like driving a totaly different car so much more midrange and top end, nearly as good as my old 3.1 only nearly mind. also owned a sorted mr2 turbo and 2 astra gte 1, 8 valve and 1, a 16v which i still own, and these are the only front wheel drive cars i have ever owned or wanted to, they handle like a capri in that they are nervus twithy and unpredictable at high speed if you don't know how to drive fast. all my other cars have all been rear wheel drive as thats how i like to drive from the rear wheels, GREAT!. i love cars that i have to fight, no fun otherwise, so i tend to stick to capris and astras these days, oh and that is only the mk2 astra as i cant stand the rest of em.
I have a properly tweaked injected 2.0 capri that's a bit mad yet still does 35mpg and doesn't make lots of uneccesary noise. i would happily race it against any 16v Astra (they's probably be even) but can never find one....oh they all rusted away, that's it....
Had 2 of these, a 2.0 GL & a 2.0S. Would love to try a properly sorted example with decent power/tyres/suspension! A friend of a friend has a V8 one with 500+ bhp running 11sec 1/4s! Now that must be a beast...Had a great laugh with the ones I had - taught me most of my driving skills. Cheap to run (£600 in repairs over 3 yrs). However, test drove a 2.8i a few years back & was quite disappointed. Might have been a bad 'un? Now drive an MR2 turbo with 270bhp @ rear wheels and I have to say that has opened my eyes to TRUE performance motoring. Still love the Capris & all those sort of cars, but you'd need a damn good one to match a decent modern motor, driven equally well.
Tough as old boots these cars, I've been driving them for 10 years now. The 2.8i will leave a GTE Astra standing when it's driven properly, and to the people reporting 101mph and 95mph - sounds like you need to fix it... I've had 3 2.8s and the slowest of them topped out at 128, the fastest hit 135. Of course not much use on roads today, but if you're going for the 2.8 try to find the older 4 speed model - not as economical but it's actually faster. Wish I hadn't sold mine.
3.0s & 2.8i Capris are the best cars ever built!They are sexy looking beasts,by far the nicest sounding and so much fun to drive.Ive had one 3.0s and two 2.8i's plus two 2.0s & one 1.6s.As nice as the 1.6 & 2.0 Capri's were I believe you've gotta go for the 2.8i or 3.0s for the true Capri experience!I'm looking for a standard 3.0s at the moment so if you are selling one please gat in touch.Any condition considered!!
the guy who said his 2.8 would only do 101mph........ u need to lern to drive or..... your car was very unwell! i own 3 capri mk3's at the moment, a 2.0s and 2 2.8i's, they are in my opinion the best car put on the road, and far better than all this modern hyped up frunt wheel drive s*&t! I do also own a modern car thats a 2002 golf mk4 gti..... the capris are far more fun!
I've owned 6 Capris, ranging from a MK1 (series 2)1.6GT up to a MK3 3.0 Ghia. My favourite had to be my MK1 (series 2) 3.0 GXL, done as an RS 3.1 replica (yep, it had a 3.1 engine, stage 3 Vulcan heads, 4 brl Holley etc) I really miss this car, I had it from being 19 (1982) up until I was 23 and I really wish I could get something now that is as much fun as that was then. Anybody from the South Manchester area remember it from the early to mid '80s? Olympic blue with black roof, RS alloys, BWB322M, nobody knew me but everyone knew the car. Aaaah, the good ol' days before speed cameras . . .
i have onwed my first capri for three months now, what a dream? its a 1979 mk3 1.6 gl, in orange. she has the same birhtday has me only four years previously, i turned 19 as she turned 24. there's not an ounce of rust on her, but alas i'm sitting here actually worrying about that. from what my uncle, the driving force behind my enthusism, tells me two winters outside will ruin her, so i ll have to start moving the other cars at night to get her garaged, only fair! i am thinking very seriously to putting a 2.0 litre in it after a bit of a thrashing the other night, which left me limping home, tail between my legs, even the growl and a move of the arse didnt fully ease the pain. i'm sure 1.6 drivers will sympathise, unless your wiser than me and stay away from racing. i, unfortunately cant help ahving a go. long live the best car ever to grace our roads, style, grace and the growl and grunt to match.
the time is right, I have been looking for a cpari to replace my montego deisel (go on, laugh...), really hoped to find a V8 conversion (dont you just LURVE small block chevvies) but it looks like a 2.8i for me, found a black one with full mot for £500. good starting point and I can always strap on a NOS bottle....... look at my web site.
I have had 3 MK3's from a 1.6GL , a seriously modified 2.0s ( thanks to Specialised engines) and finally a tweeked 2.8. All these cars gave great pleasure to drive the 1600 got me driving and for a first car still had that sporty look. Then came the 2.0s this was a great car, i had it lowered, sat on 2.8 pepperpots as she was statos silver she looked great. Then came the mechanical side a complete S.E engine with carbs the lot she sound great and went like stink - she would eat 28's for breakfast. It had to go due to the dreaded rust some years past and i decided to go for a 28 special great sound - fitted a race exhaust and K&N lowered 2" and she would really go. I have always had a thing for capris - I loke 280's but in my heart of hearts no it wouldn't be right to fly one around they are classics and should be treated as so.So i think the next one has got to be a V8 engined one either a rover or maybe a yank but i just want to have one last monster. As spares are getting a bit hard to find. But still the best car i have have had (inc RST's Xr4x4's and even a Cav GSI) hope u all enjoy ur capris as much as i have
i have a 3liter s 1979 black it has stage 2 heads double valve springs bored out to 3.1 iam the third owner from new the first owner spend a small fortune on this car he had the work done to the engine electric fuel pump deep german rs alloy wheels 5 speed gearbox as the ariginal one was 4 speed it has upgraded suspention and lowerd this car has never let me down but u have to treat it with respect as it is has alot of power at the back end 178 bhp at the wheels and will step out if you not carefull piss all over a standerd cossie,2.8 the roads just aint big enough for it .it does 80mph in 2 gear the onley truble i havent used it on the road scince 1994 cant wait to get it out again
I had a German '79 2.3 S and I drove this amazing thing with wheels for about 6 years. Unfortunately I had no money to restore it at the beginning of the 90s. But nowadays I am very very very sad that I finally sold it. It was completely originally equipped. And when I say "originally" I mean originally. No loudspeaker holes, no stereo cassette player, first coulor (midnight blue), original alloy wheels, original Recaro seats and finally this really great brown coulored windows. It is really a tragedy, a tragedy, a tragedy......is there anybody out there who is able to console me???? (sorry for bad English)
I always looked upon the Capri as a 'Trevs' car, furry dice and a his and her's windscreen sticker, But Things have now changed, i have owned 3 capris now and i am also the Secretary of the Newbury & Thatcham Capri Club, My first Capri a MkII 2.0, i was well happy with this car a bargain at £100, only done 100 miles since last MOT, after that i owned a MkIII 3.1 V6, had this car for 4 years right up until the rust had beaten the restoration project, So a new Capri was needed, along came the present Capri a C reg MkIII laser with a 3.5V8 Efi engine, Now this is serious fun!!, The Capri can be a very unpredictable car in the wet, so lightning reactions are sometimes needed, Keep The Legend Alive...... Future Car? another Capri, may be a 280 Brooklands.
the ford capri was my third car i started with a 2.0S and i loved it. It only cost me £195 and i keep it for awile until i saw the black beast witch I just had to buy it ahd a 2.1 pinto engine full leather alfa romao front seats tinted windows full 2" sports exhaust but it was sold for my first 2.8i withc had a tickford body kit, I loved it until that day when i had spent about £2000 on it, It still needed alot of work so i ended up breaking it for parts and bought my second 2.8i whitch is now going in for some body work, I intend to keep this one or my wife will devorse me well all the best and happy motoring (lots of arse end fun 4 us all) cheers
If you are over 30 and don't agree with the above, then you are lying, "Go on admit it"
If your not over 30 please go check out the Capri spec page as seeing what you missed out on will only condemn you to a life of torment and misery!
The Capri is a Ford icon, one which has stood the test of time better than the more recent XR cars and stands proud next to Fords other great cars, the GT40, the RS2000 and of course the Mexico.
There is no doubt that in its day it was the fastest car on the road, with a superlative rear wheel drive chassis which allowed you to explore the F1 type handling. This is the car that invented the helping hand of 4 wheel steer long before Honda stole the idea.
Exotic looks make the Capri a thing of beauty to behold. Witness the length of the bulging bonnet hiding the fiery Ford power. See how it mocks the feline E-Type pussy with its macho stance and Desperate Dan square chin spoiler.
The Capri was born to be a great Sports Car. Just to make sure, it was based upon the highly successful racing car the Cortina, itself a car so great it only needed some bloke called Chapman to paint a green stripe on it to devastate the opposition.
Special equipment included:
RS Pessimistic Speedo This always reads 15% on the slow side, allowing you to keep a straight face when pulled by the plod for speeding - the fact the ticket read 40 in a 30 when you know you where doing at least 50 is only because the Plod were driving the mighty 3 litre works vehicle with the same speedo.
F1 Adaptive Rear wing Not content with handling prowess streets ahead of the opposition, Ford engineers took the F1 rear wing and used it as a mere starting point in their pursuit of aerodynamic perfection. By using special hi-tech pliable rubber, Ford were able to create a rear wing which could change shape under the huge wind pressure created by the Capri's monstrous top speed. This 20 years before those thieving Krauts at Porsche managed to achieve the same feat only by employing a computer.
Performance Enhancing F1 developed parts With Chapmans ground effect Ford - Lotus dominating F1 it was only to be expected that Ford should take the Circuit racers best technology and put it in to the road racers. The black J.P.S badged Capri is therefore 10% quicker than all other Capri's.
Hypno-Chick Dice No self-respecting street warrior could be seen without the factory fitted furry dice. These carried Henry Fords personal "you will score" guarantee.
Genetically Engineered Leather Ford engineers were able to combine the DNA of cows with the fossilised remains of sea creatures. A special petro-chemical process, not unlike that seen in Jurassic Park, was then used to create the sensuous leather-look steering wheel and gearknob.
More Clocks and Gauges than a Spaceshuttle 7 clocks were deriguer, any less and there is no-way to see just how healthy your car is. Note how the eyeball vents are cleverly designed to look like clocks, just to create even more of an impression! It's a well known fact that the number of clocks on your dash is a direct measurement of your manhood. (metaphorically speaking)
Superfluous Spares Backup We all know Ford spares are cheap and available but in the Capri, repairs just aren't needed because this car is just so reliable. (If you see one broken down at the road side it is because it has been sabotaged by someone, possibly the girl friend of the owner in a fit of jealousy.) Why, I know of a bloke who's done 190,000 miles in his car and not even changed the oil yet.
The Capri is the Worlds Most Practical Sports Car Capable of seating 5 large rugby players in perfect comfort, the Capri combines the devastating looks and aerodynamics of Italian Exotica with the practicality of the hatchback. Undoubtedly the first mass produced hatchback, the split rear seat folds to give the carrying capacity of a Volvo estate. All other manufactures have been paying homage ever since by copying the Capri's patent design. For those who needed more pampering than a bar of Imperial Leather could give, the Capri Ghia was the LAST word in luxury with its sunroof and electric windows, Roller-shaming velour trim and genuine plastic walnut.
Practicality is the Capri's strong suit. Ford wouldn't let their beloved customers get wet now would they, course not, not when the stylists can create such a fabulous invention as the vinyl roof, all the style of a soft top none of the worries, and 100% security to boot.
The Capri has a Proven track record Whilst the Capri's film star looks opened many a producers door, On the set this machines amazing capabilities and reputation carried many productions to undreamed of heights.
Where would Del an Rodney be without the luxury of the Capri Ghia to soothe away life's ups and downs?
Where would the professionals be without the handbrake turn prowess of the Capri?
Where would John Wayne be if the Capri hadn't have jumped Tower Bridge in McQue? In the Thames that's where !
i like my capri because it just screams seventies at you, and i liove my 2.8i but some of the parts in the uk are getting harder to find or they are very expensive
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