Today, it exists as an EV crossover, but the Ford Capri debuted back in 1968 as what many considered to be the Ford Mustang of Europe at that time – an affordable fastback coupe with strong performance. That wound up resonating with consumers in the region, who quickly scooped up Capris by the hundreds of thousands, and from time to time, we see classic examples pop up for sale at auction as well. Now, this 1976 Mercury Capri joins that list.
This 1976 Mercury Capri is currently up for auction at Bring a Trailer with 68k miles on the clock, a rather low total for something of this vintage. It lived with the previous owner for roughly 30 years before the seller acquired it in 2024, though it wasn’t left in bone stock condition. Rather, the previous owner repainted it in black, though the Capri left the factory finished in Daytona Yellow. Regardless, it remains in great shape with reconditioned 13-inch Rostyle wheels wrapped with 205/60 Hoosier Radial GT tires.
Inside, one will find front bucket seats that were reupholstered in brown vinyl with white stitching, along with brand new carpeting, a heater, a Sony cassette stereo system, and Jensen speakers. The air conditioning isn’t currently working because some parts have been removed, and there are a few flaws to be found such as a crack in the dash and tears on the top of the rear setbacks.
Power for this classic Mercury Capri comes from the naturally-aspirated 2.8L V6, which was rebuilt back in 1994, at which time long-tube exhaust headers were fitted. More recent work includes replacing the water pump, battery, and valve cover gaskets, while a four-speed manual transmission replaces the original automatic gearbox as well.
Though it isn’t perfect or totally original, this vintage Mercury Capri certainly looks like a cool piece that fans of the model would enjoy cruising around in, regardless.
Comments
I am a sucker for the old German Ford Capri. My dad bought a US spec 1970 2.0 liter silver with black top brand new when we lived in Schweinfurt Germany. I was only a toddler then but thought it was the coolest car!
Then in 1976 he sold it and bought a metallic rust brown (w/black top) 1974 Capri II, also US spec, with the same ugly bumpers as the one in this article but it was a coupe with a small trunk vs. the rear hatch that the 1976 models ushered in. The body lines looked very similar, just the hinge points changed. It had the same 2.8 liter 6 cyl as in the article and would fly on the autobahn. I remember looking over dad’s shoulder from the back seat as he would be pegging the 130mph speedometer.
In 1980 he got a 3rd and final Capri, though a German spec since Ford USA stopped importing the “real” Capri and started using the cloned Fox body Mustang under the Mercury brand. The German car looked prettier anyway. It had a 2.0 liter 4-banger and a 4 speed manual. I got my drivers license in it and was occasionally allowed to use it for my needs. It would top out at 185kph (about 115mph) which wasn’t super fast, but fun enough.
Regardless, I would love to find one like this model and enjoy it’s classic looks and history.
This is a Capri!!! Not the abomination Ford produces today and calls it Capri.
Great car and arguably a better Mustang than the compromised, Pinto based Mustang II. My cousin Jimmy had a Gen 1 Capri, mystchave been a ‘73 or ‘74, V6, manual, Silver with a black vinyl top. I took it around the block a few time, that 2.8 V6 and manual gave it great torque and around town performance. The South Florida salt air got to it quickly however and it was a rust bucket by ‘77. Too bad Ford isn’t brave enough to import something like this today.
Ford Capri then had personality and real style. Nowadays Ford products have no identity and look quite generic.