andyw
North East
Posts: 238
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That has answered something that I've been mystified about for nearly 25 years ! In late 1989 / early 1990 I was at a petrol station and saw a car I didn't recognise. Closer look showed it was a Ford Probe but LHD. At the time there was no such car sold in the UK. Must have been an import of some type - maybe for assessment as white colour but tatty looking / very dirty despite having a brand new UK reg. Anyway I now know it was a MKI Probe There are a few first generation Probes in the country. One currently lives in Essex and it having some restoration done to it and three live in Scotland. There is also a first gen for sale at a classic car dealers for around £1400 although it is the base model. Top of the range was the 2.2 turbo, next down the 3 litre v6 and then the 2.2 n/a version. Some models got the digital dash and powered seatbelts which make them more unusual than the second generation which we got here.
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I think the Monaro could be seen as a modern comparison for the Macho big RWD coupe aspect but maybe if it came with the old 3.0gsi engine & floppy suspension it would be the modern Capri Spot on.
And agreed on the comment about hot hatches killing the big RWD Coupe. Capri, Manta, SD1 : all killed off '87 / '88.
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bobman
Part of things
Posts: 109
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Dec 10, 2014 19:24:14 GMT
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I think the Monaro could be seen as a modern comparison for the Macho big RWD coupe aspect but maybe if it came with the old 3.0gsi engine & floppy suspension it would be the modern Capri Spot on.
And agreed on the comment about hot hatches killing the big RWD Coupe. Capri, Manta, SD1 : all killed off '87 / '88.
IMHO C.V. joints killed RWD or affected it at least, the reason most classics/older vehicles were RWD was because CV joints never lasted long enough on FWD cars as they weren't up to scratch not with power anyway, As the quality and durability got better(I think QH was involved) more manufactures changed to FWD as its much cheaper and easier to build on the production line and a lot more compact, So technically the humble CV joint killed all the good stuff and led to the bland eco friendly tree hugging transport-boxes we have now and also emission regs, Fair enough there are some brilliant FWD cars but FWD SUCKS!
stick a tunnel and adapt the boot floor of a probe or cougar then bate a decent rwd setup in and either wound be quite nice IMO
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Dec 10, 2014 20:58:46 GMT
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Think the probe would have done better had it been cheaper, i was 9/10 when it came out but I remember it being quite expensive. No Probe wasn't even meant to come to Europe, ford needed a replacement for the Mustang and when they acquired Mazda they had a 2 door coupe program well underway so they thought they would use that and got quite a way through the program until some one high up in ford said wtf we are building a Japanese Mustang!! and the idea was dropped but they had invested quite a bit of money in the project so just booted it across the pond and it became the Probe in Europe and Mazda in Asia, it must have sold well enough because they did the Cougar after that. But you are all forgetting the new Mustang is coming to the UK right hand drive and rear wheel drive v8 or 4 pot , can't see there ever being a euro Ford developed coupe, they don't even make a 3dr Focus anymore . The Mondeo is a US developed Ford Fusion and if you want to see something horrific then look at the next Ka to replace the Fait derived Ka it's hideous!! Seeing as the capri was the UK version/a mini mustang (side vents anyone) that's another point in fav of the Probe as the new capri, it was intended as a replcement/alternative to the mustang, Ford called it the new capri, mags billed it and compaired it to the capri.
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Last Edit: Dec 10, 2014 21:00:03 GMT by bortaf
R.I.P photobucket
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bobman
Part of things
Posts: 109
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Dec 10, 2014 23:44:58 GMT
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I feel the Probe was the start of the point Ford stopped making nice/the type of old Fords that people are fond of the British built/designed cars,
also just because the probe was the Capris successor doesn't make it so its not a Capri in anyway IMO, also there was a modern Ford Capri but like the probe and Cougar it isn't a Capri,
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Last Edit: Dec 10, 2014 23:46:40 GMT by bobman
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No Probe wasn't even meant to come to Europe, ford needed a replacement for the Mustang and when they acquired Mazda they had a 2 door coupe program well underway so they thought they would use that and got quite a way through the program until some one high up in ford said wtf we are building a Japanese Mustang!! and the idea was dropped but they had invested quite a bit of money in the project so just booted it across the pond and it became the Probe in Europe and Mazda in Asia, it must have sold well enough because they did the Cougar after that. But you are all forgetting the new Mustang is coming to the UK right hand drive and rear wheel drive v8 or 4 pot , can't see there ever being a euro Ford developed coupe, they don't even make a 3dr Focus anymore . The Mondeo is a US developed Ford Fusion and if you want to see something horrific then look at the next Ka to replace the Fait derived Ka it's hideous!! Seeing as the capri was the UK version/a mini mustang (side vents anyone) that's another point in fav of the Probe as the new capri, it was intended as a replcement/alternative to the mustang, Ford called it the new capri, mags billed it and compaired it to the capri. Ford first wanted to call the Capri the Colt so it would have some reference to the Mustang but Mitsubishi already owed the name.
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I feel the Probe was the start of the point Ford stopped making nice/the type of old Fords that people are fond of the British built/designed cars,
also just because the probe was the Capris successor doesn't make it so its not a Capri in anyway IMO, also there was a modern Ford Capri but like the probe and Cougar it isn't a Capri,
A lot of the Cougar was developed in the UK.... Today the design centre is in Germany and ford seam to use photo shot with bits from VAG to style their cars.
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In fact with all ford global vehicle build plans being set out in Detriot don't think well ever see an interesting vehicle in Europe, in fact they are bring more vehicle from outside Europe to our markets, Kuga US developed, Mondeo US developed, Focus global so no convertible, Edge US explorer, Ka Mexican developed low price vehicle, Ecosport the same, fiesta global, so that leaves C-max, Galaxy and S-max enjoy..... Oh and before you mention transit another global vehicle started in the US, hence why engine bay is big enough to take a V8..
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In fact with all ford global vehicle build plans being set out in Detriot don't think well ever see an interesting vehicle in Europe, in fact they are bring more vehicle from outside Europe to our markets, Kuga US developed, Mondeo US developed, Focus global so no convertible, Edge US explorer, Ka Mexican developed low price vehicle, Ecosport the same, fiesta global, so that leaves C-max, Galaxy and S-max enjoy..... Oh and before you mention transit another global vehicle started in the US, hence why engine bay is big enough to take a V8.. It's a shame, they should really take Euro developed cars to the US & bring the Falcon over here rather than killing it.
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Dec 11, 2014 10:15:07 GMT
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It's a shame, they should really take Euro developed cars to the US & bring the Falcon over here rather than killing it. The Falcon has already been dead for a long time though, putting it down is a mercy killing. Last month they only sold 411 Falcons, in October it was 396! Less than a hundred cars a week for the whole of Australia! Part of the problem is that the underlying architecture is ancient. I'm pretty sure the base platform of the current Falcon dates back to the AU from 1998, and the rear suspension is from the BA in 2002. The engine has essentially evolved from the original six cylinder in the 1960 Falcon. At the end of the day, they can't afford to upgrade the current 6 cylinder to get through Euro IV emissions, which set their final expiry date.
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,872
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Dec 11, 2014 11:07:13 GMT
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In fact with all ford global vehicle build plans being set out in Detriot don't think well ever see an interesting vehicle in Europe, in fact they are bring more vehicle from outside Europe to our markets, Kuga US developed, Mondeo US developed, Focus global so no convertible, Edge US explorer, Ka Mexican developed low price vehicle, Ecosport the same, fiesta global, so that leaves C-max, Galaxy and S-max enjoy..... Oh and before you mention transit another global vehicle started in the US, hence why engine bay is big enough to take a V8.. The US is a massively bigger market than ours so it makes more financial sense to adapt their cars for the UK market than the other way round.. In terms of interesting cars... the ST or RS cars? and I suppose they were kind enough to give us the new Mustang
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tdk
Part of things
Posts: 958
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Dec 11, 2014 11:15:34 GMT
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Love this thread, classic RR, I'm learning lots!
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Dec 11, 2014 11:38:22 GMT
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The Falcon has already been dead for a long time though, putting it down is a mercy killing. Last month they only sold 411 Falcons, in October it was 396! Less than a hundred cars a week for the whole of Australia! Part of the problem is that the underlying architecture is ancient. I'm pretty sure the base platform of the current Falcon dates back to the AU from 1998, and the rear suspension is from the BA in 2002. The engine has essentially evolved from the original six cylinder in the 1960 Falcon. At the end of the day, they can't afford to upgrade the current 6 cylinder to get through Euro IV emissions, which set their final expiry date. It wasnt a bad car though, I had a 2008 XR6 as a hire car - it's about the only new Ford I would ever have considered buying.
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bobman
Part of things
Posts: 109
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Dec 11, 2014 19:48:53 GMT
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Indeed its about making money not nice cars, but I think some of the UK/European models could of sold well outside there respective markets as US cars wouldn't of had much/as much quality, The Capri 1&2 were sold in North America/Canada under the Mercury badge, The V6 mk1 was seen almost as a competitor to the Mustang and some reviewers even preferred it, but swapping RHD to LHD isn't always straight forward
On the subject of the RS/ST cars I wouldn't be v interested in them apart for gutting them for there engines and running gear, yeah there fast but that's no big deal these days, compared to the old ''fast Fords'' the Cosworth,Lotus,AVO's ect. there a bit bland IMHO cough! Volvo engine
The new Mustang should be good! I believe they even went crazy and gave it independent rear suspension, myt be good on twistys
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Last Edit: Dec 11, 2014 19:52:20 GMT by bobman
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cjhillman
Posted a lot
1979 Capri (Rolling Project) 1985 Escort mk3 (Daily)
Posts: 1,588
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May 25, 2023 22:44:50 GMT
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I was just out in my Capri the other day loving every minute... Sunroof open, window down, looking down that long bonnet with the burbling 2.0 under the bonnet, various 70s rock on the stereo. Then I had to go and catch the train from Manchester to Southampton as I don't have a modern car so, started thinking whats like a modern Capri? A quick google led me to this thread. Funny enough I can't think of anything either. What I did think was if I was to sold my Capri to buy a modern Car it would be nice to buy something similar and have that thrill daily rather than a silver 1.6 Focus mk2. - Hyundai Coupe? (FWD though) - GT86 (not that cheap yet) - BMW coupe of some sort?
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,609
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Just sad that modern marketing thinks it's a Puma! When few even bother to offer a 2-door hatchback. Can't really call them practical either with their compromised packing to consider 4wd (even when not offered), big wheels & small rear hatches, so they are mostly all about 'the look'.
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Last Edit: May 26, 2023 6:10:12 GMT by 79cord
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I was just out in my Capri the other day loving every minute... Sunroof open, window down, looking down that long bonnet with the burbling 2.0 under the bonnet, various 70s rock on the stereo. Then I had to go and catch the train from Manchester to Southampton as I don't have a modern car so, started thinking whats like a modern Capri? A quick google led me to this thread. Funny enough I can't think of anything either. What I did think was if I was to sold my Capri to buy a modern Car it would be nice to buy something similar and have that thrill daily rather than a silver 1.6 Focus mk2. - Hyundai Coupe? (FWD though) - GT86 (not that cheap yet) - BMW coupe of some sort? I think the GT86 is borderline, it's RWD and whilst it's not "budget" as yet I think the days of cheap & cheerful performance coupes are gone...the other aspect to the Capri which is less prevalent now was the choice of 1300 "poverty" spec models to full blown 2.8/3.0 variants. It was always the way start with a 1.3/1.6 and then develop it gradually with readily available spares from other models. 2.0 pinto or V6 engine swaps being so simple in the Ford's... The Manta didn't have quite the breadth of options
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2014 - Audi A6 Avant 3.0Tdi Quattro 1958 - Chevrolet Apache Panel Truck 1959 - Plymouth Custom Suburban 1952 - Chevrolet 2dr Hardtop 1985 - Ford Econoline E350 Quadravan 2009 - Ovlov V70 2.5T 1970 - Cortina Mk2 Estate 2007 - Fiat Ducato LWB 120Multijet 2014 - Honda Civic 2.2 CTDi ES
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cjhillman
Posted a lot
1979 Capri (Rolling Project) 1985 Escort mk3 (Daily)
Posts: 1,588
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Thats true re the engine range of the Capri. Its funny how many people ask me if its a 1.6 (it does say 2.0 Ghia on the boot). I guess a lot of people had the 1.6 in maybe GL form rather than 2.0S or 2.8. I was just looking at mk1 Audi TT's but I guess thats more of a sports car than GT coupe. The good thing about the Capri is the boot space and general cockpit space too. Looking through Autotrader the Hyundai Couple mk2 looks close. This ones a 2.0 and they go up to 2.7 plus this has a sun roof which I forget how much I like. Shame its fwd though. Whats the mk1 of these like?
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May 26, 2023 10:06:31 GMT
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May 26, 2023 14:45:38 GMT
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I don't think there has been, or ever will be, a modern Capri. The Capri was the product of a very specific time in motoring, which we will never see, certainly in large numbers, ever again. The Capri itself now appeals to a certain, dare I say ageing demographic because it harks back to a time in our lives and to young people because it is just so representative of that time which is now firmly in vintage territory.
Nothing modern can be an alternative or equivalent, simply because it is being created in an entirely different environment. There are a few coupes out there, that fill a niche but if you want a Capri, buy a Capri.
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