Ford Capri (Australia) Explained

Ford Capri
Manufacturer:Ford Australia
Aka:Mercury Capri
Production:1989–1994
Assembly:Australia: Melbourne, Victoria (Broadmeadows)
Class:Sports roadster
Body Style:2-door convertible
Layout:FF layout
Platform:Mazda BF
Related:Mazda 323
Engine:1.6 L B6-2E I4
1.6 L B6T Turbo I4
Wheelbase:94.7inches[1]
Length:166.1inches
Width:64.6inches
Weight:1048-[2] [3]
Successor:Ford Probe

The Ford Capri (SA30) is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from 1989 to 1994. The launch of the car marked a revival of the Ford Capri name, previously used by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986 and Ford USAs, Mercury Division, on their Fox-bodied, Mercury Capri, from 1979 to 1986.

The Australian Capri, codenamed the SA30, was an entry-level convertible, based on Mazda 323 engines and mechanicals that Ford Australia had also used in the Laser. It had a body shell designed by Ghia and an interior by ItalDesign. During development of the Capri, Mazda was developing the MX-5, a vehicle that, although considerably more expensive, was commonly considered its direct competitor.[4] Unlike the MX-5, the Capri was a 2+2 rather than a strict two-seater.

History

The Australian-built Capri was intended primarily for export to the US. Exports began in 1991, as the Mercury Capri. When the car was new, it had a poor reputation for reliability,[5] although many still exist today perhaps due to the mechanical robustness of the Laser/323 upon which it was based.[6] In particular, the Capri's roof was prone to leaking, due to poor-quality materials being used; although Ford quickly resolved the issue, the car's poor reputation stuck.[5] As a result, the MX-5 was comfortably more popular, particularly as that car was rear-wheel-drive, and enthusiasts were skeptical about the front-wheel-drive arrangement that the Capri used.[5] Two models were initially offered in the Capri's range: a base model, with a 1.6 L B6-2E SOHC inline-4 engine that produced 610NaN0, and a turbocharged model, which used the 1.6 L B6T DOHC inline-4, which produced 1000NaN0. The base model was available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission, whilst the turbocharged model only had the manual gearbox. In 1990, the naturally-aspirated 1.6 L B6D DOHC unit, which produced 750NaN0, was added to the range,[7] and this was the only engine available in 1991.[8]

For 1992, the Capri was updated, and given the codename SC; the turbocharged engine was also re-added to the range.[9] An XR2 trim level was also introduced for both engines, whilst the base trim for the naturally-aspirated model was renamed Barchetta, and the base trim for the turbo model renamed to Clubsprint.[9] In 1993, the Capri was updated again, and this time was given the codename SE.[3] Production ended in 1994, after a total of 66,279 Capri convertibles had been built; 10,347 of these were right-hand-drive (RHD) models for the Oceania/Southeast Asia market. 9,787 Capris were sold in Australia, whilst the remaining RHD Capris went to New Zealand and Southeast Asia.[10]

The 1989–94 Capri was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1989 Ford Capri 1.6L (model since mid-year 1989 for Australia) specifications & performance data review . automobile-catalog.com . 19 December 2014.
  2. Web site: 1989 Ford (Australia) Capri SA-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data . automobile-catalog.com . 19 December 2014.
  3. Web site: 1993 Ford (Australia) Capri SE-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data . automobile-catalog.com . 19 December 2014.
  4. Web site: John Mellor Pty Ltd . Ford Capri XR2 convertible - Used Rivals . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924041150/https://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/B84572B3FE01CF16CA256D6E00196E02 . GoAuto . 2015-09-24 .
  5. Web site: Used car review Ford Capri 1989–1994 . Herald Sun . 22 January 2009 . 19 December 2014 . Graham . Smith.
  6. Web site: GoAutoMedia . 1992 Ford Capri XR2 convertible | GoAuto – Our Opinion . GoAuto . 2012-10-21 . 16 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120416011722/http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/2A03C790A2447EDACA256D6E00192BC6 . dead .
  7. Web site: 1990 Ford (Australia) Capri SA-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data . automobile-catalog.com . 19 December 2014.
  8. Web site: 1991 Ford (Australia) Capri SA-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data . automobile-catalog.com . 19 December 2014.
  9. Web site: 1992 Ford (Australia) Capri SC-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data . automobile-catalog.com . 19 December 2014.
  10. Web site: Australia Convertible Capri . https://web.archive.org/web/20080720134457/http://www.capricarclub.org.au/ausconv-i.php . Capri Car Club Inc. . 5 January 2008 . 19 December 2014 . 20 July 2008.
  11. Web site: Ford Capri 1990 (1990–1994) . How Safe Is Your Car . 19 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141219184231/http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/1990/Ford/Capri/ . 19 December 2014 . dead .