> A friend who works at Ford has told me about a two seat ragtop they are
> planning to release sometime "...in the near future..." I forget the model
The new Ford Capri, was shown on the auto-show circuit back in '88
(I saw in in NYC). The press (autoweek, autocar & motor) have had bits
here and there about it. Supposedly it is due to be a '90 1/2, for delivery
in the US this spring. Principle reasons for delays were first ramping up the
Aussie plant for their saloon production (Falcon ?) ( a direct competitor
to one of the Holden sedans, which evidently is a big market-share war
down-under)
After getting the Aussie sedans out the door, in sufficient quantity,
and of good quality, then they again turned to the the production of the
two-seater, and had to build up a stock, and get the quality/quantity to
be ok.
From what I've read, some will be used in the home-market, but
the project sinks-or-swims on the export volume to the US. This was
designed for US export (not to be 'americanised'), and if I recall,
is based on Mazda 323 mechanicals. (just like it's younger sibling, the miata)
--bill
HA ! found it:
see Autoweek, October 30, 1989, page 19
some comments:
went on sale down under in Nov. '89
based on Aussie market Tracer, which like the Mexican-built Mercury
badged clone, is based on Mazda's previous generation 323. But Ford Australia
sells the fwd Tracer with a 1.5L 132hp turbo 16 valve from the lamented 323 GTX
While the Tracer is tall and top-heavy the carpi is intimate and
balanced. 0-100km/h is 8.9 (0-60 is (est) 8.6)
ford wants to sell 35,000 capris in the US the first year out...
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