1979 Ford Capri S 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
An absolute classic
Faults:
Hard to believe now, but I paid £50 for this car in 1994 with 6 months MOT on it. All black with black vinyl roof and original Wolfrace alloys.
Rust had really taken a hold, but looking back it could have been fixed. Rear arches were rotten as were both front inner wing rails. The underside was solid strangely enough.
Some oil burning, typical of an ageing Pinto.
Gearbox had unusual external rod linkages; one of these came adrift - quick fix with a cable tie.
General Comments:
It was a bit thirsty, but then anything with a 2.0 pinto in is going to be.
I never felt it had the go to back up its looks, but the Recaro seats were very supportive and it could hustle on OK if you pushed it, about 110mph.
No back legroom, poor bootspace; hardly the cars fault, you don't buy a Capri for either of these.
The usual Capri trait of a loose back end when cornering in the wet was present and correct, not quite as bad as with the V6 models though - dry cornering was very good.
Suspension was rock hard, good cornering, but a bumpy ride.
I wish I had kept this and restored it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th January, 2008
4th Jun 2025, 16:49
Nice review, these were good looking cars. Cable ties fixed soo much on older cars, haha. But nowadays with a Capri or any car I would have made the engine and gearbox "perfect" and reconditioned to good working order. An appreciating classic, worth the investment.
As for rust, it was the death of most of them unfortunately. I don't think even by the 1990's I remember seeing a Capri that didn't have rust somewhere. Post year 2000 I have not seen one on the roads since. But they do come up on Autotrader and classic car websites for sale now and then, but you won't get a good one for £50 nowadays, more like £5000 minimum ;)