The Ford Capri Dilemma: Which One of These Five Icons Belongs in Your Garage?

Few European coupes stir as much devotion as Ford’s long-nosed Capri, a machine that began life as Britain’s answer to the Mustang and ended up selling roughly 1.9 million units across 18 years of production. Conceived at Ford’s Dunton facility in the UK but clearly inspired by American muscle-car swagger, the Capri wrapped humble mechanicals in a body that promised far more drama than its price tag suggested. Under those elongated hoods sat engines ranging from a modest 1.3-litre four to a snarling V6, which meant there was a Capri for nearly every budget and temperament. With so many surviving examples still changing hands, picking the right one is genuinely difficult, so we compared five standout variants from across the model’s three generations.

Starting at the very beginning, the 1969 Capri MkI 2000GT XL captures the original formula at its purest. Its 1996cc four-cylinder produced 93bhp and 104lb ft, enough for a 0-60mph sprint of 10.6 seconds and a 106mph top speed, while returning a relatively thrifty 28mpg. New, it cost £1087.53. Today, well-kept examples command anywhere between £3500 and £20,000. For buyers chasing the Sixties-inspired styling that made the car famous, this is the most authentic entry point.

Those wanting more muscle should look at two V6 machines. The 1973 MkI 3000GXL paired a 2993cc six making 138bhp and 174lb ft with a four-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, delivering 0-60mph in 8.3 seconds and 122mph flat out, for £1824 when new. Values now span £4750 to £27,500. A year later, the MkII 3.0 Ghia offered the same output from a 2994cc six but swapped the manual for a three-speed automatic, softening the experience in favour of comfort and refinement — the direction the Capri was heading. It cost £2444 new and today ranges from £4000 to £25,500, sprinting to 60mph in nine seconds.

The later MkIII cars reflect the Capri’s final evolution. The 1983 2.0S used a 1993cc four producing 98bhp and 112lb ft, with a five-speed manual helping it reach 60mph in 10.8 seconds and 111mph at the top end. Priced at £3664 when new, survivors now fetch £2250 to £15,000. The most potent of the group, the 1987 2.8i, brought fuel injection and a limited-slip differential to the party, extracting 160bhp and 162lb ft from its 2792cc V6. That translated to 0-60mph in 8.2 seconds and a 126mph maximum, all for £7995 new; today expect to pay between £3000 and £24,500.

All five share the same fundamental architecture — rack-and-pinion steering, MacPherson struts up front, a live rear axle on leaf springs, and disc/drum brakes with servo assistance — yet each delivers a distinctly different character. The early MkI rewards purists with simplicity and charm, the MkII Ghia prioritises relaxed cruising, and the MkIII 2.8i offers the closest thing to genuine performance. Whichever you choose, the Capri’s enduring appeal lies in that combination of attainable running costs and unmistakable presence — a formula that keeps it firmly in the hearts of enthusiasts decades after the last one left a showroom.