A Ford By Any Other Name: 1974 Mercury Capri
Prices for the Mercury/Ford Capri have been historically low for a number of reasons. First was Fords inexplicable placement of the Capri at Mercury dealers when it was a Ford in Europe and sold well as a Ford over there…but in 1974 it was objectively a wayyyy better Mustang than the Mustang II and somebody in the Ford product planning group managed to get the Capri festooned with a Mercury badge. The years since haven’t been any nicer, because car guys have prefered to drive Opel Mantas and Nissan Z cars…but if you open your heart (and eyes) you might find that the little Capri has something unique to offer. Find this 1974 Mercury Capri offered for $4995 in Mason, TX via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
From the seller:
1974 Mercury Capri
VIN: Cxxcxx
condition: good
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 62000
paint color: yellow
size: compact
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: coupe
1974 Mercury Capri made in Western Germany. Ford Germany offered the most powerful engine available of all first generation Capris in 1974 with a 2.8 litre V6 runs great with new carburator. Radiator reconditioned at Blanco radiator. New master cylander and brake pads. Transmission slips in drive. Was used daily intil 2000.
Very rare survivor and all original. Paint is original. Very minimal rust. I Can never find another First gen. Capri that has not been molested Service records date back decades. Two owner car with working lights, signals, speedometer, wipers.
IF THE CAR IS LISTED IT IS STILL FOR SALE. WILL REMOVE WHEN SOLD!
No trades please. 1970, 1971, 1972,1973,1974, porsche, triumph, mg, mustang, cougar, german import, ralley car, barn find, classic, rare, 1969,1968, one owner
See another rust bucket for cheap? tips@dailyturismo.com
I like these, but I think the visuals could be improved greatly with smaller (or removed) bumpers and larger diameter wheels. Looking at the car from the side as it is above gives me thoughts of those old diecast cars where the design was pretty accurate, but something was a little off with the scale. Like they got the body right, but to save cost they used wheels and tires from a smaller model.
Swap the 13" or 14" Rostyle wheels for some 15" or 16" variations and it would change the attitude. Not sure if you can get Rostyles that size, but you can get similar looking Magnum 500s easily for cheap. That would make it look more like a Ford too.
Other than that, not a bad car or a bad price, but I'd be very wary of hidden rust. The rattle-can coating in the trunk is poorly covering what's clearly a rusty floor. There's probably a lot hiding in other areas. Drive it for a while and send it on to the next guy. Restoring this car would be an expensive exercise in stupidity.
Strange to see so much rust on a Texas car… maybe it was brought to Texas from the rust belt?