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Automobilia
All brochure images are from the collection of Mark J. McCourt
I was in high school when the brochure celebrating the 1991 Mercury Capri was released upon an unsuspecting public, and while my memory of that ancient epoch may be suspect, I think that the models contained within represent a time capsule snapshot of day-glo MTV music video fashions from circa-1990. It's just spot-on as a period pop culture reference.
And like the colorful, silly clothing and accessories, the then-new car itself is a throwback to the late 1980s, when it was developed. A 2+2 with a folding vinyl top and optional removable hardtop, it was introduced in the USA in the summer of 1990 as a 1991 model, where it had the misfortune to compete against a prettier and more athletic and charming distant relative, the two-seat, rear-wheel-drive Mazda MX-5 Miata, as well as against the established four-seat Volkswagen Cabriolet and Chrysler LeBaron convertible. It would be available through 1994.
This Capri was unrelated to the British and German model of the 1970s, or the Mustang spinoff of the early 1980s; it was actually a product of Ford of Australia, and was based on a front-wheel-drive Mazda 323/Ford Laser platform. Styling was derived from that of the 1983 Barchetta show car, penned by the Ford-owned Italian design firm of Ghia. We Americans were the primary market for this Capri, which was badged here as a Mercury and didn't have a Ford or Lincoln counterpart. According to the Australian Ford Capri and Mercury Club, we took 55,932 of the roughly 66,300 examples built.
Basic Capris were powered by a 100-hp, 1.6-liter, 16-valve DOHC inline-four, while the hot Capri in our market was always the turbocharged XR2, which made 132 hp in 1991. All shared a fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. The home market got a neat 1992 "Clubsprint" turbo that we never saw -- that had unique Tickford-developed front and rear fascias, a double-hump speedster-style top boot, a Momo leather steering wheel and more goodies. It may be hard to grasp now, but the Capri has a bit of a cult following, especially in its home market. Like the brochure, the car itself is a lighthearted period piece. Have you ever driven one?
Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the images.
Recent
Toyota
From the sounds of it, the S-FR will share a platform with the Daihatsu Vision Copen that was revealed at the 2023 Tokyo Mobility Show. It will supposedly feature the same two-plus-two seating as displayed in the concept, but will be even smaller and lighter than the Toyota 86 model.
The Toyota S-FR will reportedly get its power from a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that will send around 150 horsepower to the rear wheels. If these figures sound familiar, you may have also heard the rumors about Toyota reviving the Starlet with a GR performance version that has similar specs; a 1.3-liter engine producing 150 horsepower.
Toyota
Toyota S-FR Racing concept
Like most concept cars, the S-FR’s design will see some changes before production, in this case reports point specifically to a smaller grille and altered headlights. Whether or not the production model will incorporate the concept’s aero elements is unknown.
Toyota’s target MSRP of $22,700 for the S-FR could potentially beat out the Mazda Miata by around $6,000. Whether or not the S-FR will be sold in the States to potentially compete with Toyota’s existing GR86 model’s sales is also, sadly, unknown, but we have our fingers crossed.
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