The Mk 1 Capri in Australia
The Mk 1 Ford Capri in Australia
The Mk 1 Capri was imported into Australia between 1969 and 1972 as "Knock down kits" and local content was added . The Capri was only available in "prefacelift" form in 1600 Deluxe, 1600 GT and 3000 GT. From 1970, the 1600 GT was re-badged as the 1600 XL and the 3000 V6 took on the GT monika. They were still being sold into 1973, however that last cars to sell were 1972 models.
The "Aussie" Capri was built on the same Halewood production line as all other right hand drive (RHD) Capris however they were strengthened for Australian conditions. They were known as Export shells and had additional strengthening to the front suspension strut tower above and below the inner wings. The V6 shell had additional strengthening at the bottom of the front struts (outside of the chassis and strengthen plates inside, behind the rear quarter panels.
Over the years of production there were various changes made to the shell, seat and seat belt mounting points to meet changes in safety rules. Also the positioning of the vehicle identity number (VIN) was relocated from the engine bay slam panel to the drivers side strut tower. Early cars had an additional chassis rail that ran across the car under the gearbox tunnel.
Australia production Year characteristics
1969
The initial batch of Capris sent over from the UK were all 4 cylinder cars. in either 1600 Deluxe or 1600 GT format. Unlike the UK, Australia never received and V4 2000 or 1300 Capris.
Some of the unique features of the 1969 (and some early 1970) model are lower seat-belt anchor points for the driver and front passenger, windscreen washer vents mounted on the scuttle panel and smaller VIN plate on the drivers side inner wing.
Model numbers 13918 (GT) 13914 (Deluxe)
Features on the 1969 models were the sports bullet mirrors. These ran out into 1970.
Broad side stripes with GT on the rear quarter/petrol filler flap.
Twin broad stripes on the bonnet.
"Superoo" wing decal was also an option
The GT had the 6 clock dash with the 120 mile speedo and 6000 rpm redline.
The Deluxe had the 2 clock dash only.
Rostyle steel wheels were an option
Sports steering wheel with polished metal spokes was an option
1970
The GT 3000 V6 was introduced in 1970, the 1600 GT became the 1600 XL and 1600 Deluxe remained the same.
The VIN plate was larger and now moved to the bulkhead.
Driver and passenger seatbelt anchor points raised higher on the B-pillar
Position of seat mounting points changed slightly in late 1970.
Model numbers 13018 (GT) 13016 (XL) 13014 (Deluxe)
Features for the 1970 models. Bullet mirrors continued as option with chrome mirror standard.
3000 GT had twin stripes (One wide, one narrow) along the flank of the car from from wing/guard to rear quarter on the wheel arch, finished with GT badge.. The bonnet on the GT models featured a single black panel surrounded by a single pin stripe tapering on the bonnet tip. For the delete option cars, the GT badge was relocated further back on the rear quarter and stripes removed.
The XL (formally 1600 GT) and an XL badge on the rear quarter behind the wheel arch.
Deluxe had the 2 clock dash
XL had the 6 clock dash with 120 mile speedo and 6000 rpm redline.
GT 3000 had the 6 clock dash with 140 mile speedo and 5700 redline
Rostyle steel wheels were an option
Sports steering wheel with polished metal spokes was an option
1971
Features for the 1971 model were "teardrop" mirrors as per the XY Falcon.
Stripes as per 1970
Seat mounting points relocated slightly.
Cross-chassis member (over gearbox) removed on shells
Model numbers 13118 (GT) 13116 (XL) 13114 (Deluxe)
Dash arrangement as per 1970
Contessa minilite wheels were an option
Sports steering wheel as per 1970
1972
Features for 1972 model. Mirrors changed to larger plastic mirrors as per existing Ford range ie Escort, XA Falcon, Cortina. Spacer changed to suit Capri.
Rear view mirror now glued to windscreen, not mounted to roof.
Seat mountings move again and high back seats with built in headrests added to meet Australian Design Rules (ADR)
Model numbers 13218 (GT) 13216 (XL) 13214 (Deluxe)
1972-3
BSS - Bib Stillwill Specials. Aprrox. 11 late model 1972 Cars were sold with uprated engines.
Sale of Mk 1 Capris ceased in 1973
1973-4
A small batch of approx. 48 Capri RS3100s were imported into Australia. These were the "facelift" model Capris produced and imported directly from the UK.
1974 -
No "facelift" Mk 1 Capris were ever sold in Australia.
No Mk2-Mk3 Capris were sold in Australia.
A few evaluation MK 2 Capris were imported by Ford Australia. None were available for general sale.
All other later model Capris were "personal imports."
The Mk 1 Capri was imported into Australia between 1969 and 1972 as "Knock down kits" and local content was added . The Capri was only available in "prefacelift" form in 1600 Deluxe, 1600 GT and 3000 GT. From 1970, the 1600 GT was re-badged as the 1600 XL and the 3000 V6 took on the GT monika. They were still being sold into 1973, however that last cars to sell were 1972 models.
The "Aussie" Capri was built on the same Halewood production line as all other right hand drive (RHD) Capris however they were strengthened for Australian conditions. They were known as Export shells and had additional strengthening to the front suspension strut tower above and below the inner wings. The V6 shell had additional strengthening at the bottom of the front struts (outside of the chassis and strengthen plates inside, behind the rear quarter panels.
Over the years of production there were various changes made to the shell, seat and seat belt mounting points to meet changes in safety rules. Also the positioning of the vehicle identity number (VIN) was relocated from the engine bay slam panel to the drivers side strut tower. Early cars had an additional chassis rail that ran across the car under the gearbox tunnel.
Australia production Year characteristics
1969
The initial batch of Capris sent over from the UK were all 4 cylinder cars. in either 1600 Deluxe or 1600 GT format. Unlike the UK, Australia never received and V4 2000 or 1300 Capris.
Some of the unique features of the 1969 (and some early 1970) model are lower seat-belt anchor points for the driver and front passenger, windscreen washer vents mounted on the scuttle panel and smaller VIN plate on the drivers side inner wing.
Model numbers 13918 (GT) 13914 (Deluxe)
Features on the 1969 models were the sports bullet mirrors. These ran out into 1970.
Broad side stripes with GT on the rear quarter/petrol filler flap.
Twin broad stripes on the bonnet.
"Superoo" wing decal was also an option
The GT had the 6 clock dash with the 120 mile speedo and 6000 rpm redline.
The Deluxe had the 2 clock dash only.
Rostyle steel wheels were an option
Sports steering wheel with polished metal spokes was an option
1970
The GT 3000 V6 was introduced in 1970, the 1600 GT became the 1600 XL and 1600 Deluxe remained the same.
The VIN plate was larger and now moved to the bulkhead.
Driver and passenger seatbelt anchor points raised higher on the B-pillar
Position of seat mounting points changed slightly in late 1970.
Model numbers 13018 (GT) 13016 (XL) 13014 (Deluxe)
Features for the 1970 models. Bullet mirrors continued as option with chrome mirror standard.
3000 GT had twin stripes (One wide, one narrow) along the flank of the car from from wing/guard to rear quarter on the wheel arch, finished with GT badge.. The bonnet on the GT models featured a single black panel surrounded by a single pin stripe tapering on the bonnet tip. For the delete option cars, the GT badge was relocated further back on the rear quarter and stripes removed.
The XL (formally 1600 GT) and an XL badge on the rear quarter behind the wheel arch.
Deluxe had the 2 clock dash
XL had the 6 clock dash with 120 mile speedo and 6000 rpm redline.
GT 3000 had the 6 clock dash with 140 mile speedo and 5700 redline
Rostyle steel wheels were an option
Sports steering wheel with polished metal spokes was an option
1971
Features for the 1971 model were "teardrop" mirrors as per the XY Falcon.
Stripes as per 1970
Seat mounting points relocated slightly.
Cross-chassis member (over gearbox) removed on shells
Model numbers 13118 (GT) 13116 (XL) 13114 (Deluxe)
Dash arrangement as per 1970
Contessa minilite wheels were an option
Sports steering wheel as per 1970
1972
Features for 1972 model. Mirrors changed to larger plastic mirrors as per existing Ford range ie Escort, XA Falcon, Cortina. Spacer changed to suit Capri.
Rear view mirror now glued to windscreen, not mounted to roof.
Seat mountings move again and high back seats with built in headrests added to meet Australian Design Rules (ADR)
Model numbers 13218 (GT) 13216 (XL) 13214 (Deluxe)
1972-3
BSS - Bib Stillwill Specials. Aprrox. 11 late model 1972 Cars were sold with uprated engines.
Sale of Mk 1 Capris ceased in 1973
1973-4
A small batch of approx. 48 Capri RS3100s were imported into Australia. These were the "facelift" model Capris produced and imported directly from the UK.
1974 -
No "facelift" Mk 1 Capris were ever sold in Australia.
No Mk2-Mk3 Capris were sold in Australia.
A few evaluation MK 2 Capris were imported by Ford Australia. None were available for general sale.
All other later model Capris were "personal imports."
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