January '03
I bought it new, 1984, right off the showroom floor. While shopping for a new car I was undecided whether to buy this new Capri or a new Toyota Celica. The Cat salesman said, "A Celica!", then he raised the hood on the Capri and had me hold it up. He said, "Does the Celica feel like that?" I was sold. Of course, I was holding the hood WITH A SCOOP ATTACHED which was sure to add some weight to an already heavy (compared to a Toyota) Merc.
She only has 71K original miles on her. I rode my "88 Harley winter and summer so I mainly drove the car in bad weather or family outings. I sold the bike three years ago.
I've been driving a new Benz E Class for the last two years and got pretty used to it. They kind of ruin you for other cars after awhile. I could make a u-turn in my living room. So the RS just sat and sat some more. Whenever I went back to it there was something else that needed to be done. Exhaust, ball joints, alternator, a clutch-you know, little aggravation stuff. Put that together with a leaky t-roof that gave my girlfriend a bath whenever it rained and...well you can see why the Benz would get driven instead.
The car spent most of last summer at Paul's Transmission, Hingham, MA (781 740-2114), because I burned the tranny having never put gear oil in it. I got tired of waiting all summer and most of the fall for repair parts and was calling to tell Bobby, the owner, to forget searching, because I was going to junk it. He came to the phone and before I can say anything he tells me, "Your car is all ready; the parts came in today and it's all set to go." Damn. But, he did the work so he deserved to be paid the $1,100 bucks. Right?
So, my girl, Pat, drove me out to pick it up. The car was pretty dirty. But the ride home was great. I'm telling you, a five-speed 2.3L turbo sitting low to the ground is a great cobweb clearer compared to a big Mercedes. It all came back to me. All those great rides on those days and nights when driving the Capri was the next best thing to my Harley. On that ride home form Paul's I actually apologized out loud to the car for ever wanting to part with her. I'm putting her in the shop today for some minor body work and a much needed paint job. I'm committed to bringing her all the way back to her original beauty. She's back and back to stay.
Update-May' 03
HALLELEUIA!! IT'S DONE!
My Baby is completely restored. It's running great. It's springtime in Boston. The t-tops are off. LIFE IS GOOD!!
Restoration was done by T & S Auto Body, Boston (617 325-8800). I found these guys just after the trannie was finished in January. Tinho and his brother, Shorty promised me they would do a first-class job. They didn't lie. Everything was done with meticulous care and utmost professionalism. The "minor body work" turned out to be a major deal. They did so much "above and beyond" work for me and I couldn't be more pleased. I highly recommend them to everyone.
Thanks loads to:
Pete, Glendale, AZ who sold me some of the hard-to-find moulding
Skye, Phoenix, AZ for telling me about Late Model Restoration Supply
Late Model Restoration Supply (www.50resto.com) for the new t-roof weatherstripping
Phoenix Graphix (800 941-4550 phoenixgraphix.com) made the "RS Turbo" decals from scratch from photos I submitted to them. At first they sent me the wrong ones ('80 RS) that were completely different, but they corrected the problem for me with no hassles. Chris and Nathan were great people to deal with.
The picture with the jets (in "More Photos" was taken in 1990 while on duty at a naval air station. When I saw those jet planes sitting there it was easy to imagine the Capri sitting there with them. Base Security didn't appreciate it though, and I came close to going to the Brig. It took some talking, but I did have my three-year old son with me so they let me go. Can you imagine trying that stunt since 9/11?
Update June '03
Joined Cyclone Car Club last week and do these guys have some fine vintage rides. People loved seeing the Capri and have suggested I show the car. Hey, why not? I started detailing the engine last week. The trunk area and console got a repaint, too. Brakes and calipers got some paint as well. Long way to go, but it is definitely a labor of love.
Update August '03
It's been a great summer so far. It's funny, when I bought my Harley in '88, the ad slogan was "Kiss anonymity goodbye." Well that goes double for my four-eyed beauty. I could drive the Benz all day long and nobody would notice it. But you can't drive anywhere in the Capri without getting an admiring ooks, thumbs-up or great comments about it.
Fun Ford Weekend was last week at New England Dragway. I entered the Car Show there. Lots of great comments from spectators. Statement heard most often: "You don't see one of these very often." (he he) Since it isn't a Stang and it was after all Fun FORD Weekend, they judged the Capri in the Special Interest category. The car looked good, but the judges pick for winner was(...are you ready?)..a 1998 Lincoln Continental Mark VIII!! AAARGHH!! In all fairness, though, the car was immaculate. Not a mark on it.
Wait til next year.
God Bless America and thanks for looking.
Birdman
For more pics see the additional pages.
