81 Capri - worth 12k?

maidhc

On carzone: http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=573295

Seems to be in outstanding condition and completely original. Is it worth 3x the price of a "normal" restored mk3?

I am planning on buying a Capri during the year to keep my Focus company. Ideally i'd like an e-type or a 911, but being 24, and being an apprentice solicitor, my finances wont allow this for a long time to come. My father had 2 Capris and claims they were notoriously unreliable and handled like boats.

So, any suggestions? I am very comfortable with mechanical stuff. Where is the best place to get a car? Are parts expensive and hard to find? Any particualr issues with these cars other than lots of rust and general Ford things? What engine? A pre classic would need to be less than 2.0 to afford to tax it.

corktina

we're talking fun right? soooo...pre 1978 3 litre Capri.....as much sideways action as you can handle.....and the noise!!!..and all for €42 road tax...and NO NCT!!!

yes rust is an issue but they are bullet proof mechanically and and easy fix if they aint.....go for a perfect one with no rust needing no work and mind it....spend as much as you can to get a good one, restoring one will cost you far far more eventually....

lots of Irish Caproi owners here... www.everyfordireland.com
or come along to the Viaduct, Bandon Road Cork on Easter Saturday...the guys "in charge" run 3 litre Mk1's and will be very helpful to you. (they arent as fast as my V6 Cortina though)

AsphaltRisin'

maidhc wrote:

On carzone: http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=573295

Seems to be in outstanding condition and completely original. Is it worth 3x the price of a "normal" restored mk3?

I am planning on buying a Capri during the year to keep my Focus company. Ideally i'd like an e-type or a 911, but being 24, and being an apprentice solicitor, my finances wont allow this for a long time to come. My father had 2 Capris and claims they were notoriously unreliable and handled like boats.

So, any suggestions? I am very comfortable with mechanical stuff. Where is the best place to get a car? Are parts expensive and hard to find? Any particualr issues with these cars other than lots of rust and general Ford things? What engine? A pre classic would need to be less than 2.0 to afford to tax it.

No it's not worth it!! Only a musuem owner should consider that car, or someone who'd never drive it as it's nearly "too good" to use.
But a good solid MK3 capri is DEFINITLEY worth have, the fun of a capri is in the driving.... or should i say in travelly sideways more of the time than actually going straight...

And i'm sorry to say i think your father was wrong, i've alwyas found capris to be dead solid and reliable, plus very easy to fix. If you get a good one (good clean examples available 3 to 4 grand) you'll be set. Slightly less tidy ones can be got cheaper but if you're not used to old cars avoid these until you get into the whole classic car ownership thing for a year or so.

And i'd agree with corktina, go to everyfordireland.com, great site, it's only gettin started, but it's very friendly and you'll get lots of tips and advice there

maidhc

Will go on easter sunday!

I love the Mk1's, definitely the best looking of the lot IMO. Good to hear they are pretty reliable. For the mileage it will be doing it isn't a huge issue anyhow.

Can the 2.8 be converted to run on unleaded?

AsphaltRisin'

maidhc wrote:

Will go on easter sunday!

I love the Mk1's, definitely the best looking of the lot IMO. Good to hear they are pretty reliable. For the mileage it will be doing it isn't a huge issue anyhow.

Can the 2.8 be converted to run on unleaded?

As far as i know the 2.8i will run on unleaded ayway if it's a late one

bo-bo

im a bit biased but the capri is a great car

every time i turn the ignition key and hear the engine rasp to life i cant help but smile

as for ownership - get used to waxoyl, it will be your best friend.

insurance is in my opinion insanely cheap for a torquey rear wheel drive car - im paying e330 fully comprehensive (limited milage might i add, but good none the less).

parts are so very cheap and plentyfull too - i recently went into an autofactors and was shocked at the catalogue of parts they could offer me. halfords stocks everything you could need for a full service. A recent new windshield cost me e80, need i say more.

the car has got the lot imho :eek:

bo-bo

one other thing - dont buy a car that needs restoring - i spent a small fortune on my car only to realise that a fair asking price is FAR less than i spent on it

corktina

maidhc wrote:

Will go on easter sunday!

I love the Mk1's, definitely the best looking of the lot IMO. Good to hear they are pretty reliable. For the mileage it will be doing it isn't a huge issue anyhow.

Can the 2.8 be converted to run on unleaded?

thats easter saturday:)

qazz

for 12k you can get a MUSTANG

maidhc

corktina wrote:

thats easter saturday:)

Saturday!

Indeed!

I know from playing around with old Ford tractors that it is better to let other people do the heavy lifting as far as restoration is concerned. There is great satisfaction in it, but it always costs 3x your original estimate. Still, with a original car, at least you know where the rust is. My uncle always says that "powder and paint makes the devil a saint", and it is very true.

A Mustang would be interesting, but rhds are as rare as hens teeth, and I doubt if parts would be quite as easy to come by. I have to start somewhere, and I reckon a Capri is as good a place as any.

Wibbs

A Capri is a great car. That one while pristine ain't worth that. It doesn't even have the recaro interior.

Mechanically they are bulletproof, especially the pinto models, though they can eat camshafts at high mileages. Handling wise, you can do quite a bit to tighten them up. They're pretty much a longer heavier version of the escort RS 2000 and that handled pretty well. The back ends are a bit floaty, but you can get that sorted with an X brace like in the Tickford version(the capri club had them). Brakes ain't so good either by comparison to modern cars. Again you can fit Austin Princess calipers and discs which will make a big diff.

Of the different versions, the mkIII is probably the most useful with the hatchback etc. The mkI is very nice though.

Rust is the enemy. Check the tops of the strut towers, the leading edge of the bonnet, the bottom edge of the bootlid and doors. The rear wheelarch is a trouble spot. Where the doors mount to the frame is another bad area.

mantaraver

Have you ever considered an Opel Manta Better looking, better handling and very easy to stick a modern valver engine into. Here's a pic of mine to wet your appetite.

AsphaltRisin'

that's a pretty nice yoke. But mantas are more complicated, at least twice as hard to get in good condition and harder to fix... this guy is only startin out with classic/old cars i think. Still though, the manta is a fantastic yoke. MAD Prices bein asked for em though....

maidhc

AsphaltRisin' wrote:

that's a pretty nice yoke. But mantas are more complicated, at least twice as hard to get in good condition and harder to fix... this guy is only startin out with classic/old cars i think. Still though, the manta is a fantastic yoke. MAD Prices bein asked for em though....

I'd love a Manta, but they do seem much rarer and more expensive. They do look class, especially the one in the picture above.

I'd like a Ford anyhow, I have an attachment to the brand because of all the Ford tractors we have had/still have (including an Irish 1968 Ford 4000 in original condition that still earns its keep).

I don't really care about practicality, or fuel consumption (my Focus TDCi fulfills those criteria). RWD is a must, as is the ready and cheap availability of parts. I'd like the car to be quicker, or at least feel quicker than the Focus. A Mk1 2.8 seems to fit the bill alright. How much should I be looking at for a Mk1 that
a) does not need a respray, and isn't plastered up with isopon.
b) maybe has the vinly roof
c) 2.8 not in need of overhaul
d) Generally good mechanical condition.

I'd be happy enough to do trackends, suspension, and finicky things in the first year or so. I'd be happy to take a few long weekends in the UK to source a car.

How do people find running costs on classics in general? Insurance etc?

corktina

mk1 would be a 3 litre essex.....

i guess they are worth about €7000-€8000 here but they would be a lot cheaoer "over"

AsphaltRisin'

The old MK1s are expensive enough alright...
MK3 is the one to go for if you want good value, spares are still widely available for MK3 compared to many other old yokes, as it shares many parts with other old fords. 3 to 5 k can get you a nice MK3 2 litre or even 2.8.

As for insurance, if it's not being used as everyday car, or even i fit is and only does small mileage, classic insurance can be got very cheap

corktina

tax very dear on a mk3 though....

maidhc

The Mk3s came out in 1977, although the 2.8i didn't see the light of day until 4 years later. An early 3.0 Mk3 would be the lead contender so.

I can't really afford to tax a 2.8 due to the age, so it looks like the 3.0 is back on the cards. I'd put up with a 2.0 though if I was going to get a post 77 car. Really I'd take anything (bar a 1.3 or 1.6) provided the car itself was right.

The Mk2 seems the most unloved. Is it because of the awkward looking front?

What about buying a say Jan 1978 car in late 77. Can you wait until the anniversary before VRT?

Henry Ford III

It's a nice car, but unusable. Belongs in a collection tbh.

As such, and for me at least, it's well over priced.

You could buy a decent Capri Mk1 RS3100 for that kind of money.

grk_car

I'm not discouraging you to get parts, but if those are too costly, no way.

_______________________
GSF Car Parts Catalogs - Download the GSF Car Parts Catalogs

unkel

grk_car is now on a holiday for dragging up loads of old threads and the shilly sig...

AsphaltRisin'

There's a nice lookin 2litre MK3 capri on carzone, i'd definately go check it out if I hadnt just bought my Sierra P100...

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=615783

GG66

how about a vw scirocco storm http://website.lineone.net/~dr.dub/

v Quick, fun etc. etc...

if it needs to be over 30 yrs then try a mark 1 http://website.lineone.net/~dr.dub/mk1ext.htm

bo-bo

ya, i was looking at a scirocco recently, i think they are classy hatches

maidhc

bo-bo, you sold the nice Capri?

Sirocco is a nice car, but there is something too Golfy about them. The Corrado is a much more impressive machine IMO, but far too new for what I am looking for.

Asphalt, that Capri looks well. Exams coming up soon, so no time for looking at it. What sort of condition is the P100 in? 1.8TD? Where did you find it?

AsphaltRisin'

maidhc wrote:

bo-bo, you sold the nice Capri?

Sirocco is a nice car, but there is something too Golfy about them. The Corrado is a much more impressive machine IMO, but far too new for what I am looking for.

Asphalt, that Capri looks well. Exams coming up soon, so no time for looking at it. What sort of condition is the P100 in? 1.8TD? Where did you find it?

The P100 is nearly mint, i'll be posting pics soon. Not 1.8TD, 2litre carb pinto :cool: ... probably get some webers and a Rally cam on it if funds allow.
Yeah that capri looks lovely. I was ragin the when i saw it, i was like "Damn i want it and i'm poor now that i've bought the pickup!!"
Ah well, cant have everythin. If you had any time at all i'd say it'd be worth checkin out

bo-bo

maidhc - the capri is up with a specialist at the moment, hes selling it for me - i dont really have the time to travel home to take it out when someone wants to look at it, plus he would have people calling in on a daily basis. i was in contact with him last week and hes had alot of interest in it - pm me if you want to take a look at it

BrianD3

Would you consider a Mk1 Granada coupe?
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=609049