Built by Fords Specialist Vehicle Engineering department, the Ford Capri 2.8i was the definitive "bad boy" car of the 1980's. It looked gorgeous, long, low and sleek with wide alloy wheels, a boot spoiler and a bonnet bulge. Its 2.8 litre fuel-injected V6 gave 160bhp through the rear wheels ... Read review
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...Specialist Vehicle Engineering department, the Ford Capri 2.8i was the definitive "bad boy" car of the 1980's. It looked gorgeous, long, low and sleek with wide alloy wheels, a boot spoiler and a bonnet bulge. Its 2.8 litre fuel-injected V6 gave 160bhp through the rear wheels and had a plush Recaro fitted interior. TV viewers over Britain were transfixed watching Bodie from "The Professionals" power-sliding a 3.0 litre Ghia across ... ...your money. A small block Ford or Chevrolet V8 seems to be a popular engine swap as these provide cost effective horsepower and dont affect the handling too much due to the fact they are only around 50lbs heavier than the V6. A 3.5 litre Rover V8 is also a common transplant as these are cheaper and easier to find. There are plenty of Owners Clubs with small local clubs dotted around nationwide, and there are various specialist Capri garages around ... more
Built by Fords Specialist Vehicle Engineering department, the Ford Capri 2.8i was the definitive "bad boy" car of the 1980's. It looked gorgeous, long, low and sleek with wide alloy wheels, a boot spoiler and a bonnet bulge. Its 2.8 litre fuel-injected V6 gave 160bhp through the rear wheels and had a plush Recaro fitted interior. TV viewers over Britain were transfixed watching Bodie from "The Professionals" power-sliding a 3.0 litre Ghia across their television screen every week, so when the 2.8i came out thousands of people bought one, making it the most successful Capri ever.
If you're used to driving everyday run-of-the-mill cars, the first time you sit in a 2.8i or any other Capri, you feel like something is slightly different. Instead of feeling like you're sitting in a car you're away to drive off in, you're faced with an acre of curvy bonnet in front of you, cossetted by the luxurious Recaro bucket seats and fronted up by the American style six-clock dashboard, all of a sudden you swear you're Tom Cruise away to go roaring off the deck of an aircraft carrier in Top Gun. And for many people, thats what the Capri is all about.
As an everyday car though, it's hard to justify the Capri's being. The rudimentary fuel-injection system feeding the big V6 really does guzzle the fuel, expect about 20 miles to the gallon when driving normally, much less when in "Maverick" mode. The rear legroom is tiny and the roof is so low at the rear only real shorties can sit in the back. Parking is also a problem due to the length of the car, and although the power steering does make life a little easier, this isn't likely to help when you find the car won't fit in your garage.
The evil, tail happy handling characteristics of the Capri are legendary. All that V6 grunt to the rear wheels with a lack of weight at the back spells disaster for traction. The ancient leaf sprung rear suspension really can't transmit all that power properly so many a Capri has found itself facing the wrong way wreathed in blue tyre smoke coming off a roundabout. As for wet weather driving, tread very carefully on that gas pedal as she will spin you round and throw you into the kerb quicker than you can imagine until its happened to you. Brakes are another Capri weak point. Tiny discs at the front and drums at the rear would just be adaquate for stopping a car with half the power and weight, and are just not up to the job.
But that's not really what the Capri is all about. If you bought one to commute to work everyday, take the family on trips and to tow the caravan, I'm afraid you missed the point. The whole point of the big Capri is escapism. There is no driving experience like that of a Capri that you can buy for less than £2000. Back road driving is honsetly a joy, hustling a car the size of the Capri down country lanes at speed with the engine giving a lusty roar every time you blip the accelerator is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have behind the wheel and is simply an vicious assault on all the senses.
Unfortunately, good Capri 2.8i's are few and far between today. Many succumed to the abuse dished out by the boy-racer community they were once so popular with. Many were crashed, most were thrashed and many more simply were not maintained and rusted into oblivion. Many of these neglected examples met their maker in banger racing, while many more sit abandoned in garages or under tarpaulins somewhere. A good 2.8i with a long MOT, tax and little rust can however be picked up for less than two grand. For a lot more than that you would want a very tidy 2.8i Special or Brooklands 280. The Special was basically a 2.8i but with a Limited slip differential to improve handling under acceleration and had a half leather interior. The 280 was the last of the Capris and had 15 inch 7 spoke alloys, full leather interior and came in metallic green on top of the specification of the Special, and is really considered to be the ultimate Capri besides the Aston Martin-built Tickford Turbo. Expect to pay anything up to around seven thousand pounds for an immaculate 280 Brooklands, with the Tickford Turbos easily fetching five figure sums if you can find one. Not to be confused with the Tickford cars are the few 2.8is and 280's which came fitted with turbocharger kits from TurboTechnics, although there were only a few hundred of these conversions so they are still very highly sought after.
Due to the enormous amount of Capri lovers dotted about the world there is an enormous custom scene and therefore are literally thousands of bits you can bolt on to improve your Capri. Four-pot brakes are a popular (and essential) upgrade as are stiffer suspension components to sharpen up the handling. Tuning parts have less of an emphasis on them as the 2.8i V6 is notoriously untuneable, try a performance air filter and exhaust but short of an expensive turbo conversion there is very little to be gained for your money. A small block Ford or Chevrolet V8 seems to be a popular engine swap as these provide cost effective horsepower and dont affect the handling too much due to the fact they are only around 50lbs heavier than the V6. A 3.5 litre Rover V8 is also a common transplant as these are cheaper and easier to find. There are plenty of Owners Clubs with small local clubs dotted around nationwide, and there are various specialist Capri garages around the country.
Maintenance for Capris, if done by a garage is likely to be expensive due to the awkward layout of the car (components need removing to get to other components etc) and as the car is aquiring classic status, parts, especially genuine body panels are starting to command big money. Aftermarket parts, however can save money, a performance Janspeed stainless steel exhaust system is around £175 while the genuine lower quality Ford equivalent is around the £250 mark and there are companies reproducing body parts in both steel and fibreglass. Restoring a Capri is likely to be an expensive business as many parts will need refurbishing and there is a lot that can go wrong with a Capri, but scour the classifieds and you'll manage to pick up a bargain as cheap parts do occasionally pop up. Join an owners club though and there will be a queue of like minded people willing to help you with any problems you may have.
In conclusion, buying a Capri will be the start of a love affair. It would have to be for you to put up with all its irritating quirks and niggly faults (Its easier to get the engine out of a Mk2 Fiesta than change an exhaust on a V6 Capri), bit forgive it all its shortcomings and accept it for what it is and nothing else will put a smile on your face like a big Capri. Strap yourself into that comfy bucket seat, get some decent 80's tunes on the stereo and fire yourself at the horizon by the windiest and wiggliest route possible and I promise you will be grinning like and idiot for hours after you've got home.
Advantages: Looks great, nice and powerfull Disadvantages: Rusting, fuel consumption
...your money. A small block Ford or Chevrolet V8 seems to be a popular engine swap as these provide cost effective horsepower and dont affect the handling too much due to the fact they are only around 50lbs heavier than the V6. A 3.5 litre Rover V8 is also a common transplant as these are cheaper and easier to find. There are plenty of Owners Clubs with small local clubs dotted around nationwide, and there are various specialist Capri garages around ... ...while the genuine lower quality Ford equivalent is around the £250 mark and there are companies reproducing body parts in both steel and fibreglass. Restoring a Capri is likely to be an expensive business as many parts will need refurbishing and there is a lot that can go wrong with a Capri, but scour the classifieds and you'll manage to pick up a bargain as cheap parts do occasionally pop up. Join an owners club though and there will be a queue ...
qwaszx 10.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Capri 2.8 Injection
Advantages: Fast, fun, looks great, cult icon Disadvantages: Getting scarce and often ruined by boy racers
...when I bought my 1985 Ford Capri 2.8i. At the time I was looking for something a bit special, something quick that had to look the part. With quad headlights and a sleek black body running with nothing to spare between the wheel arches and the tyres that were wrapped around a set of Ford RS wheels, this was a true 80s monster.
On the technical side of things the 2792cc fuel-injected Cologne V6 engine kicks out 160bhp at 5700rpm via the rear (Or ... ...size of engine).
The Ford Capri has always been a looker and has shown this off in the popular TV cop show, 'The Proffesionals' (which featured a 3.0S model, incase you were wondering). With the 2.8i, you definately get the performance to match, and not at the expense of reliabilty. The 2.8 litre Cologne V6 actually has a stonger block than the earlier 2.6 version, and the Bosch injection system is safe as a house. The only main point of worry with ...
Tonyoverdrive 19.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Capri 2.8 Injection
Advantages: A real classic car, cheaper at present Disadvantages: Rust and boy racers (lol) and Police
I am a bit bias of these but i will try my best to be fair, honest and proactive in my approach.
Lets get it straight from the start if you require Air con, Rear seat comfort, good mpg, quiet running etc Do Not Buy This Car.
But if you require pure grunt and power this is a must, they made several Capri's and this model was for me 2nd best as 1st place has to go to the Mk 1 RS 3.1 GXL these are the bees knees when it comes to power and head turning, ... ...these and if you don't mind the sometimes hard wallowy ride then this is for you, the 5spd gearbox model is slightly, very slightly slower than the 4spd Cologne engine version, as most 5spd version were Essex engined machines still beasts in their day but my personal preference is the Cologne.
These cars are not for amature drivers nor are they for the faint hearted as when things go wrong while not obeying road rules they are has hard as granite ...
zrxsheep 31.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Capri 2.8 Injection
Advantages: stylish classic look that cannot be deny Disadvantages: none
my experience with this car is very satisfying because it really relaxes me when driving and its old classic stylish sport car look.its has a large compartment at the back that i can actually fill in my golf clubs.it is easy to drive and to handle.gives also a muscle power when driving.convenient also to use off the road because of its high suspension shocks.cannot deny the looks that is still in demands now a days even if its look like a sport muscle ...
agent3750 15.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Ford Capri 2.8 Injection
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Quick review of Ford Capri 2.8 Injection
A car without a doubt worth owning if only for rhe "fun" factor and getting that back end out on it, the 2.8 is without a doubt the most powerful, packing more horse power (however slightly less torque) than the 3 litre special. This a car that has you grinning from ear to ear the momont you step inside.... oh and they sometimes rust. ...
Simon_dawson 30.05.2007
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Ford Capri 2.8 Injection
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