Ford Capri (Australia)
{{about|the Australian Ford Capri built between 1989 and 1994|the European car, including those assembled by Ford Australia|Ford Capri|other uses|Ford Capri (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Ford Capri
| image = 1989-1992 Ford Capri (SA) convertible 01.jpg
| caption = 1989–1992 Ford Capri (SA) convertible, (pre-facelift)
| manufacturer = Ford Australia
| aka = Mercury Capri
| production = 1989–1994
| assembly = Australia: Melbourne, Victoria (Broadmeadows)
| class = Sports roadster
| body_style = 2-door convertible
| layout = FF layout
| platform = Mazda BF
| related = Mazda 323
| engine = 1.6 L B6-2E I4
1.6 L B6T Turbo I4
| transmission = {{ubl | 5-speed manual | 3-speed automatic }}
| wheelbase = {{convert|94.7|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1989/1012520/ford_capri_1_6l.html |title=1989 Ford Capri 1.6L (model since mid-year 1989 for Australia ) specifications & performance data review |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=19 December 2014}}
| length = {{convert|166.1|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|64.6|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}
| height =
| weight = {{convert|1048|-|1130|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/capri_australia/sa_capri_convertible/1989.html |title=1989 Ford (Australia) Capri SA-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=19 December 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/capri_australia/se_capri_convertible/1993.html |title=1993 Ford (Australia) Capri SE-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=19 December 2014}}
| successor = Ford Probe
}}
The Ford Capri (SA30) is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from 1989 to 1994. The launch of the car marked a revival of the Ford Capri name, previously used by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986 and Ford USAs, Mercury Division, on their Fox-bodied, Mercury Capri, from 1979 to 1986.
The Australian Capri, codenamed the SA30, was an entry-level convertible, based on Mazda 323 engines and mechanicals that Ford Australia had also used in the Laser. It had a body shell designed by Ghia and an interior by ItalDesign. During development of the Capri, Mazda was developing the MX-5, a vehicle that, although considerably more expensive, was commonly considered its direct competitor.{{cite web| publisher = John Mellor Pty Ltd |url=http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/B84572B3FE01CF16CA256D6E00196E02 |title= Ford Capri XR2 convertible - Used Rivals | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924041150/https://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/B84572B3FE01CF16CA256D6E00196E02 | work = GoAuto |archive-date=2015-09-24 }} Unlike the MX-5, the Capri was a 2+2 rather than a strict two-seater.
History
{{Multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = 1989 Ford Capri (SA) Turbo convertible (21263643993) (cropped).jpg
| image2 = 1990 Ford Capri (SA) convertible (16499412363) (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = 1989-1992 Ford Capri (SA) convertible (pre-facelift)
| align = left
}}
The Australian-built Capri was intended primarily for export to the US. Exports began in 1991, as the Mercury Capri. When the car was new, it had a poor reputation for reliability,{{cite web |url=http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/used-car-review-ford-capri-1989-1994-13214 |title=Used car review Ford Capri 1989–1994 |work=Herald Sun |date=22 January 2009 |accessdate=19 December 2014 |first=Graham |last=Smith}} although many still exist today perhaps due to the mechanical robustness of the Laser/323 upon which it was based.{{cite web |author=GoAutoMedia |url=http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/2A03C790A2447EDACA256D6E00192BC6 |title=1992 Ford Capri XR2 convertible | GoAuto – Our Opinion |publisher=GoAuto |accessdate=2012-10-21 |archive-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416011722/http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/2A03C790A2447EDACA256D6E00192BC6 |url-status=dead }} In particular, the Capri's roof was prone to leaking, due to poor-quality materials being used; although Ford quickly resolved the issue, the car's poor reputation stuck. As a result, the MX-5 was comfortably more popular in the United States (but not Australia), particularly as that car was rear-wheel-drive, and enthusiasts were skeptical about the front-wheel-drive arrangement that the Capri used.
{{Multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = 1994 Ford Capri SE30 Barchetta (37317623902) (cropped).jpg
| image2 = Ford Capri (5) (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = 1992-1994 Ford Capri (SE), (facelift)
| align = left
}}
Two models were initially offered in the Capri's range: a base model, with a 1.6 L B6-2E SOHC inline-4 engine that produced {{convert|61|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}}, and a turbocharged model, which used the 1.6 L B6T DOHC inline-4, which produced {{convert|100|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}}. The base model was available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission, whilst the turbocharged model only had the manual gearbox. In 1990, the naturally-aspirated 1.6 L B6D DOHC unit, which produced {{convert|75|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}}, was added to the range,{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/capri_australia/sa_capri_convertible/1990.html |title=1990 Ford (Australia) Capri SA-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=19 December 2014}} and this was the only engine available in 1991.{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/capri_australia/sa_capri_convertible/1991.html |title=1991 Ford (Australia) Capri SA-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=19 December 2014}}
For 1992, the Capri was updated, and given the codename SC; the turbocharged engine was also re-added to the range.{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/capri_australia/sc_capri_convertible/1992.html |title=1992 Ford (Australia) Capri SC-series Convertible all versions specifications and performance data |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=19 December 2014}} An XR2 trim level was also introduced for both engines, whilst the base trim for the naturally-aspirated model was renamed Barchetta, and the base trim for the turbo model renamed to Clubsprint. In 1993, the Capri was updated again, and this time was given the codename SE. Production ended in 1994, after a total of 66,279 Capri convertibles had been built; 10,347 of these were right-hand-drive (RHD) models for the Oceania/Southeast Asia market. 9,787 Capris were sold in Australia, whilst the remaining RHD Capris went to New Zealand and Southeast Asia.{{cite web |url=http://www.capricarclub.org.au/ausconv-i.php |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720134457/http://www.capricarclub.org.au/ausconv-i.php |title=Australia Convertible Capri |publisher=Capri Car Club Inc. |date=5 January 2008 |accessdate=19 December 2014 |archivedate=20 July 2008}}
The 1989–94 Capri was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.{{cite web |url=http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/1990/Ford/Capri/ |title=Ford Capri 1990 (1990–1994) |publisher=How Safe Is Your Car |accessdate=19 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219184231/http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/1990/Ford/Capri/ |archive-date=19 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}
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References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Ford Australia timeline}}
Category:Cars introduced in 1989