Random # 21: Ford Capri

Is this circa-1992 Ford Capri a classic car? UMPH is going to jump right in with a resounding yes! Why? Arguments about the wisdom of having recycled one of Ford's greatest ever British-made car's names aside, this Mazda 323 / Ford Laser-based rag-top is now more than twenty years old.

A Barchetta version with an optional detachable hard-top and after-market wheels.

Their age alone therefore goes some way to establishing Aussie-built Capris' classic status. However, that's not all there is to these occasionally maligned convertibles; despite suffering in comparison to Mazda's MX5, they were in fact a very nicely styled package making use of a well-sorted mechanical platform.

Other than the wheels, this particular car was all original and in excellent condition.

It's a pity that the reputation of some of the earlier examples - prone to roof leaks, in particular - carried on to later versions, even though those problems were remedied. Their 1989 release was unfortunate, too, pitting them and their front-wheel drive configuration against the rear-wheel drive MX5 that also debuted that same year.

Second series lights.

UMPH has driven two Capris - both turbos - and was surprised how nimble and enjoyable they were. Performance was lively with the engine well-matched to the five speed 'box and the handling very competent, sitting flat through corners without being too harsh. He's driven quicker cars and sportier ones, too, but not many vehicles manage to combine all the Capri's charms and practicalities into such a fun, user-friendly package.

The soft-top remains in situ, hidden behind the rear seat, even with the optional hard-top bolted in place.

So our Capri is old enough to qualify as a classic, and it's a sporty, fun car to drive. Is that enough alone to truly make it a classic?

Here's the clincher: How many Capris of this era rate a second look? There's a schmick black XR2 in West Hobart but, sadly, the vast majority have been badly neglected. Lacking the cachet of more exotic marques, many were written off after even minor bingles. Of the fewer than 10,000 examples sold in Australia, how many remain? Not many and very few in this kind of condition! That's why surviving examples - especially ones this nice - deserve to be called classics.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

(All iPhone images.)

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