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2022 Shannons Winter Timed Online Auction
Lot
196

1972 Ford Capri 1600 XL Coupe

$28,005

Sydney

Sold

Specifications

Engine In-line 4-cylinder, 1599cc
Gearbox 4-speed manual
Body Work Coupe
Colour Yellow Glo
Interior Black
Trim Vinyl
Wheels Cast alloy
Brakes Disc/Drum

Auction
Notice (Form 11)

Description

This lot is no longer available

Following on from the success of the Mustang in America, Ford’s European arm developed its own personal sports coupe in the late 1960s, unveiling the new Capri at the 1969 Brussels Motor Show.  Production actually began two months earlier, both in Cologne, Germany and Halewood in the UK, albeit with very different hearts; the German cars powered by a range of V-formation motors, while the English 1300 and 1600 counterparts were both of conventional in-line configuration.  Much of the Capri’s running gear was derived from the contemporary Cortina, with McPherson struts up front and a leaf-sprung live rear axle plus rack and pinion steering.  Detail changes were made throughout the Mark I Capri’s production life, including the addition of brake servos, new headlamps and more power with the switch from Kent to the Pinto engines from September 1970.  Although the Capri was designed as a GT, it was developed into a successful rally car and ultimately a formidable track weapon, the RS2600 and RS3100s winning both the European and British Championships against stiff opposition from BMW and others.  The Capri proved popular outside Europe as well, with over half a million sold in the United States by 1977 and Australian buyers were similarly enamoured, the first deliveries taking place in May 1969. Billed as “The Car You’ve Always Promised Yourself”, Ford Australia assembled Capris at Homebush in Sydney, with just two models available at first – the 1600 Deluxe and the 1600 GT.  With the introduction of the V6-powered 3-litre GT, Ford Australia dropped the 1600 GT in February 1970 but continued to offer a virtually identical XL until local production ceased in November 1972.