1961
First use of the Capri name on a British Ford, this is a two-door coupe version of the Classic saloon. No relation to future Capris, this is a heavier, older-fashioned and very American-looking model. The last Classic Capri is made in July 1964.
1969
Ford introduces the much-hyped Capri. Originally it is to be built at Halewood in the UK and at Cologne in West Germany, with a wide choice of engines from 1.3 litre to 3-litre. Ford also show prototype Capris with 16-valve Cosworth BDA engines and propose to sell them in limited numbers, but change their minds during the year. Instead, the V6-engined Capri 3000GT is introduced in October. Prices of this 128 bhp car start at £1,291. Other sports cars of this size suddenly look expensive. Ford produces nearly 220,000 Capris in 1969.
1971
Time for rationalisation of option packs, meaning that only Base, L, XL, XLR and E are now available. Still a wide choice, but the range is easier to understand. The 1300GT version, always a slow seller, is discontinued. In a general Ford uprating of its V-engines, the 3000GT / 3000Es now get 138 bhp, and more torque than before. Works Capris, with 2.9-Iitre Cologne V6 engines, win the European Touring car Championship.
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