Ford Capri (1969 to 1986)

Why people buy one

• Long-bonnet coupe looks and genuine four-seat practicality, especially in hatchback Mk2 and Mk3 form.
• Simple rear-wheel-drive running gear shared with the Cortina and other Fords.
• The V6 models (3.0 Essex, 2.8 Injection, 2.8 Injection Special and the run-out 280) offer strong performance for their age.
• Huge production (about 1.9 million built) means a wide choice and good parts support.
• A large, long-established owners' club and specialist network.

What to weigh up

• Rust is the main enemy, particularly in the lower bodywork and the structure around the suspension mountings.
• Many Capris have been modified, re-engined or converted, so a V6, 2.8 Injection or RS-badged car must be checked for originality and matching numbers.
• The Capri RS models and the 280 (known as the Brooklands, about 1,000 built, all right-hand drive) are especially likely to be imitated or re-created.
• Rear leaf-spring suspension and a basic chassis mean handling is lively in the wet, particularly on V6 cars.
• Many four-cylinder Capris were scrapped or used as donor cars, and some trim parts are scarce.
• The Ford Consul Capri (1961 to 1964) is an unrelated two-door coupe based on the Consul Classic and is not covered here.

Where they rust

• Front suspension turrets (strut tops) and inner wings.
• Front valance, especially at the seams with the front wings.
• Front wings above the headlights, along the rear scuttle and behind the front wheels.
• A-pillar bases where they meet the sills, the front scuttle and the bulkhead.
• Inner and outer sills, floorpans and chassis rails.
• Rear spring mounts and hangers.
• Rear wheelarches and the double-skinned rear panels.
• Boot floor, base of the rear hatch and around the sunroof where fitted.
• Under the windscreen and rear screen rubbers.
• On 2.8 Injection models, the fuel tank around the pump mounting and the rear valance.

Mechanical weak spots

• Essex V6 engines can suffer warped cylinder heads and blown head gaskets.
• The Cologne 2.8 V6 has a fibre timing gear that wears; a steel replacement is often fitted.
• The 2.8 Injection's K-Jetronic fuel injection can suffer internal corrosion if a car has stood for a long time.
• Pinto engines wear their camshafts when the oil feed pipe clogs, shown by a clattering top end; check for cam belt history.
• Manual gearboxes wear their synchromesh and can jump out of gear; check for bearing noise and a worn propshaft centre bearing, and look for bright red fluid on automatics.
• Rear axles are strong, but the pressed-steel differential cover plate can rust through and lose oil.
• Expect worn suspension bushes, tired brakes, leaking seals and electrical faults on unrestored cars.

At a Mathewsons viewing

• Check the VIN plate and chassis number against the V5C, and confirm the engine and specification match what the car is sold as, particularly on V6, 2.8 Injection, 280 and RS models.
• Open the bonnet and inspect the suspension turrets, inner wings, scuttle and bulkhead for corrosion, filler or fresh welding.
• Lift the carpets and boot mat, and press the floorpans, sills and boot floor; look around the hatch base and sunroof for leaks.
• With a torch underneath, check the chassis rails, rear spring hangers, differential cover plate and, on injection cars, the fuel tank around the pump.
• If staff start the car, listen for timing gear or top-end noise and watch for steam or white smoke that may point to a head gasket problem; do not assume it will be started.

Parts, specialists and clubs

Seen on Bangers & Cash

• Ford Capri 280 Brooklands (Bangers & Cash series 2, episode 1, First shown February 2020)
• Ford Capri (two) (Bangers & Cash series 3, episode 7, First shown December 2020)
• Ford Capri (Bangers & Cash series 9, episode 2, First shown February 2024)
• Ford Capri Mk1 (Bangers & Cash series 12, episode 3, First shown August 2025)
• Ford Capri (Restoring Classics series 1, episode 4, First shown August 2022 on Yesterday)

Sources

• Ford Capri Mk3 buyer's guide (Classics World), 20 May 2021
• Ford Capri buyer's guide (Goodwood Classic Car Insurance), 16 January 2024
• Driving the classics: Ford Capri 280 'Brooklands' review (CAR magazine), 10 July 2024
• End of the Line (Motor Sport), March 1987
• Cheap and Cheerful: The European Ford Capri (Ate Up With Motor), accessed 13 October 2026
• Used car buying guide: Ford Capri Mk3 (Autocar), accessed 13 October 2026