A Brief History of the Capri

1969 January - Capri makes it's world debut at the Brussels Motorshow. February - 250 European motoring journalists are flown to Cyprus for the press launch. The Capri is tagged, by journalists, as "The car you always promised yourself'. Prices start at £890 7s 10d for the 1300 fitted with an 85 MPH, 1298cc Kent engine.

September - The introduction of the 128bhp 3000GT Essex V6 with a top speed of 110mph. Air scoops, handbrake warning lights, 2-tone horns and fog lamps were all available as options.

1970 March - Ford announce two new Capris at the Geneva Motorshow: 3000E(Executive) - the luxury version of the 3000GT and the RS2600 - the first production fuel injected Capri. By the New York Motorshow in April Ford had produced over 275,000Capris.

1971 September - The Capri Special XLR was announced. It was based on the 2000GT and only 1200 were produced. The 3000GT was upgraded to 138bhp and became Ford's fasted production car at 122mph.

October - The 'Caprice' - the convertible Capri was revealed at the Earls Court Motorshow.

1972 February - 1300, 1600, 3000 are discontinued while the 1600GT, 2000GT and 3000GT get extra equipment and special paints while the 3 litre GT gets a '3-Litre' bonnet bulge.

June - Production figures reach 742,149. Capri 3000E discontinued.

1973 Millionth Capri produced in August.

1974 February - MKII announced. The new 3-door MKII Capri is wider, longer and taller. It came in three basic models - L, XL and GT. The Ghia 2000 and 3000 is introduced in April 1974.

1975 June - Ford launches the first special edition Capri II in the UK. The Capri S (Sport) is midnight black with distinctive gold JPS livery.

September - The XL was dropped for the new GL.

1976 UK production of the Capri is ceased in Halewood bringing the total of British made Capris to 337,491. Production is switched solely to Cologne.

1978 March - Capri MKIII announced. The new shape is aerodynamically better in design with built in front spoiler, four headlamps, slatted grille and gas filled shock absorbers. The range included the L, GL, S and the top of the range 138bhp 3000s.

1981 The Capri 2.8 is unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow. The 2.8i the most powerful Ford car in European production with 160bhp and 13 1 mph top speed.

1984 June - 1.6 and 2.0-litre special edition Laser introduced with 5 speed gearbox September - 2.8i replaced by the Injection Special with alloy wheels and improved interior specification.

1986 December - New dashboard design and pearlescent paint finish introduced. 1987 Production of Ford Capris ceased early this year. A celebration 'last' Capri is produced - the 280. It is only available in Brooklands Green with all leather trim. Only 1038 were produced.