Collectable cat – a 1976 Mercury Capri II stands out at Bonhams Greenwich sale
1976 Mercury Capri II Ghia. Photos courtesy Bonhams.
Initially popular with American buyers, the German-built Mercury Capri (sold globally as a Ford) had lost much of its appeal by the launch of the refreshed Capri II in 1976, cancelled just one year later. Today, surviving examples are somewhat rare, and unmodified Capri IIs may count as the rarest examples of all. Last weekend, an original-condition 1976 Mercury Capri II Ghia, delivered new to California and showing less than 27,000 miles on the odometer, sold at Bonhams Greenwich sale for an impressive $15,950 including fees, nearly double the NADA high retail of $8,400 and 50-percent above Hagarty’s estimate for a concours-quality example.
By the time the Capri II landed at “sign of the cat” dealerships on these shores, the model had been on sale in Great Britain and Europe for nearly two years. Sporting refreshed styling (a slightly more aerodynamic profile and elimination of the faux side vents and the bold character line that previously swept from front fender to rear wheel well), the Capri grew in height, width and weight, adding additional passenger and cargo room to the interior. The biggest news of all was the addition of a hatchback, which replaced the trunk on earlier versions and made cargo loading considerably easier.
The Capri II came in four trim versions (base, S, Décor Group and Ghia), and gave buyers the choice of Ford’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder, rated at 88 horsepower, or the 2.8-liter Cologne V-6, which produced 109 horsepower. Transmission choices included a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic, and even in the highest-performance configuration (the V-6 with the four-speed), unmodified Capri IIs were better known for handling than for straight-line speed. Though most Americans were unaware, the Capri (in all versions) proved to be a formidable racing car in European competition.
Falling sales and a strengthening Deutschmark killed off the Capri II in North America in 1977, though the model soldiered on in Europe through 1986, gaining a Mark III variant in 1978. In 1979, Mercury began reselling a badge-engineered Mustang as the Capri on these shores, and this model lasted through the 1986 model year. Convinced there was still equity in the name, Mercury launched yet another Capri in 1990, and this time it adorned an Australian-built, front-wheel drive compact convertible meant to pirate sales from Mazda’s new Miata (which, ironically, used the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder Mazda engine as the final Capri). A niche car, the Australian Capri disappeared from the market in 1995.
The 1976 Mercury Capri II Ghia that crossed the auction block in Greenwich, Connecticut last weekend came powered by the 2.8-liter V-6, mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Described as a “timewarp” car and an “original survivor,” the coupe was said to be unmodified and well-documented by its four previous owners. While it remains to be seen if the Capri II will someday climb in value, this much is clear: for less than the cost of a certified pre-owned Honda Civic, the owner of this cat is destined to be the center of attention at any local or regional show he attends.
1932 Bugatti Type 49 roadster, sold for a fee-inclusive $676,500.
Cars in the top-10 at Bonhams Greenwich sale included a 1990 Ferrari F40, which sold for $880,000; a 1932 Bugatti Type 49 roadster, which sold for $676,500; a 1993 Bugatti EB 110, which sold for $605,000; a 1960 Aston Martin DB4, which sold for $346,500; a 1925 Bentley 3 Liter four-seat tourer, which sold for $272,250; a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, which sold for $236,500; a 1939 BMW 327/328 cabriolet, which sold for $220,000; a 1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, which sold for $202,400; a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, which sold for $189,750; and a 1932 Chrysler CL Imperial Custom convertible sedan, which sold for $181,500.
For complete results from Greenwich, visit Bonhams.com.