Mercury Capri RS 2600 V6
The Mercury Capri holds a unique position in American automotive history as one of the most successful captive imports ever sold through a domestic dealer network. Built by Ford of Europe at plants in Germany and England, the Capri was sold exclusively through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in North America beginning in 1970, marketed with the memorable tagline 'The Sexy European' in television commercials that played on the cultural cachet of European sports cars.
The Capri RS 2600 represented the sporting pinnacle of the range in North America, equipped with Ford of Germany's smooth-revving 2.6-liter Cologne V6 engine producing 107 SAE net horsepower. While these numbers seem modest by modern standards, they were applied to a car weighing just 2,300 pounds, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio that made the Capri genuinely fun to drive. The engine revved willingly and sounded wonderful doing it, with a characterful snarl that distinguished it from the wheezy four-cylinder engines in most economy cars of the era.
The Capri's handling was its greatest asset. The MacPherson strut front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, borrowed from the European Ford Cortina platform, provided far more direct and communicative handling than anything available in similarly priced American cars. The car could be driven enthusiastically on winding roads with genuine confidence, a quality that earned it a devoted following among driving enthusiasts who could not afford a Porsche or BMW but wanted the same kind of engaging experience.
The exterior design was crisp and timeless, penned by Philip T. Clark at Ford's design studio. The long hood, short deck proportions echoed the pony car formula but in a more compact, European-proportioned package. The quad headlamp front end, subtle fender flares, and clean side profile created a car that looked more expensive than its price tag suggested. The RS designation added a blacked-out grille, front air dam, sport wheels, and stripe kit that gave the car a more aggressive stance.
Inside, the Capri offered a properly sporting environment with a comprehensive gauge package, sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a short-throw shifter for the precise four-speed manual gearbox. The driving position was intimate, with controls falling readily to hand in a manner that emphasized driver engagement over luxury.
The Capri was an enormous commercial success in North America, with over 113,000 units sold in its first year alone. It proved that American buyers were willing to accept a small, nimble European car when it was backed by a domestic dealer network and parts supply chain. The car also served as an important stepping stone for customers who might eventually upgrade to higher-priced Lincoln-Mercury products, a marketing strategy that proved prescient.
The first-generation Capri was replaced by a larger, heavier Mark II version in 1974, and the European Capri continued to be sold in North America through 1977. Today, clean examples of the original 1970-1974 Capri, particularly the V6-powered RS 2600, are appreciated by enthusiasts as affordable, characterful classics that offer genuine European driving pleasure.
Rust is the primary concern, particularly in fenders, floors, inner wings, and suspension mounting points. The 2.6L V6 is reliable but parts are sourced from European Ford suppliers. Check for cylinder head gasket issues on the V6. The four-speed manual gearbox is robust but synchros wear. Trim and interior parts are scarce in North America. European Capri clubs are the best source for parts and technical information. V6 models are significantly more desirable than four-cylinder versions.
Built in Cologne, Germany and Halewood, England by Ford of Europe, the Capri was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in North America. Over 113,000 units were sold in the first year. The RS 2600 used the German-built Cologne V6 engine. The car was never officially badged as a Mercury in Europe.