So, I found this 1979 Mercury Capri RS Turbo (that's the Mustang/Fox chassis based Capri). It's sitting in a field and needs quite a bit I'm sure. The passenger door would have to be replaced for rust but otherwise the car is pretty sound (the floors and sub frame are really solid). It has not been registered since 1991. I have not talked to the owner yet (will today) to see what he wants for it.

What do you all think?

I have heard that the early 2.3 liter turbo engines had some problems (any Ford fans here know anything about this - I've also posted on Mustang forums but those guys might just be biased on the plus side - being Ford fans and all)?

Can that engine be overhauled to make it reliable and increase performance from 132 hp (it would likely need rebuilt anyway)?

The Capri would fit the bill for a second car. I love my Fieros but have an 89 year old friend in a wheel chair I need to take with me some places. There is no hauling his chair in the Fieros (both GTs with wings). What I've been looking for is a sport/pony car with cargo space for the chair, some kind of performance and appearance as well as good mileage that can stand in for the Camry when it's down for maintenance.

Opinions?

Thanks guys and gals

[This message has been edited by tutnkmn (edited 07-20-2007).]

Well, since it's basically a Fox Mustang, parts are readily available and cheap. I'm not an expert on the 2.3 turbo, but I've heard they weren't that great. Unless it gets really good gas mileage, I'd be tempted to chuck it for a 5.0. It should be an easy bolt in swap, even if you need to get a different front crossmember.

I wouldn't dump the 2.3 Turbo lump. I'd find a Turbo Coupe Thunderbird and grab it up for the needed parts to update it all. Remember, The SVO Turbo Mustang ran circles around the 5.0 GT of the same vintage. I, personally, would keep it and grab the electronics and other various pieces from a T.C. Thunderbird and make a really quick, decent handling (I say decent cuz the Fox chassis was designed as an economy car, not performance) car. The 5.0 would add unneeded weight.

the 2.3 aint to bad. SOHC. easy to maintain. the main problem with them is the soft block. the cyls "barrel" quickly, and you start burning oil.

the biggest problem with it is that its a ford period.

quote Originally posted by RenegadeFiero86: the biggest problem with it is that its a ford period.

bwahahaha

yup...when I had my '79 Mustang - Ford stood for "Filling Oil Required Daily"

I had a 79 Mustang Turbo 5-speed that I bought new. I ran the wee-wee out of that car! It would chirp the tires in third gear and get 25+ mpg on the highway. It was also light and easy to toss around(unlike my 95 Mustang GT convertible). It started smoking upon start-up at about 86,000 miles (either bad turbo or valve seals). I suspect with today's oils (I'd burn Mobil 1), the motor would last a little while longer. In the end it was wrapped around a tree at about 135,000+ miles and the engine and tranny had never been opened up. That car was one of my all-time favorites(besides being the first new car I had ever bought). It came with a forged crank and pistons. Someone mentioned updating the engine with either a v-8 (that would take much of the handling away) or an SVO or T-bird turbo coupe engine(this one is worth considering).

Well, thanks for the advice guys

Unfortunately, the guy thinks this old heap is some kinda super rare muscle car. He wants several THOUSAND dollars for the rust bucket (actually fairly solid now, but not for long at this rate). It's been there for several years and looks like he will never do anything with it, but will not sell it for the $500.00 or so that it is worth. Poor little Capri.....RIP (rust in peace)

There is also a 69 Mach 1 sitting back there - flat on the GROUND. Mostly rusted into the earth now Coulda been saved maybe 10 years ago.

There's another old guy near Zanesville that has maybe 10 old cars in front of his house, from Bel Airs to Hudsons to Mustangs. They all sit out in the weather and he NEVER touches them. Just rotting away.

[This message has been edited by tutnkmn (edited 07-20-2007).]

Personally, I'd rather get the early 70s German Capri anyway cuz I think they look better.

That Mach I is probably still savable. Well, basically you'd be buying a VIN tag and building a new car under it, but....

Mechanically, its a mustang...but in my opinion much better looking. I had an 84 Mustang I bought new and put a set of Capri tail lites right in.

Ahhh, the 79 Capri,

I had a 79 Capri RS 302 4 speed (5 speed was not offered that year for the 302)

Was one of my favorite cars. Here it is new, stock, then after I modified it & painted it.



I swapped the trans for a T-5, put in a fairly wild cam & manifold & carb, alum valve covers, new posi rear.
Had a custom paint job, added fiberglass hood & side-pipes.

quote Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT: Ahhh, the 79 Capri, I had a 79 Capri RS 302 4 speed (5 speed was not offered that year for the 302) Was one of my favorite cars. Here it is new, stock, then after I modified it & painted it. I swapped the trans for a T-5, put in a fairly wild cam & manifold & carb, alum valve covers, new posi rear. Had a custom paint job, added fiberglass hood & side-pipes.

Sweet looking Capri. You know what would look good on that car? An SVO Mustang bi-plane rear spoiler

I'm not a huge Ford fan by any stretch, but, I seem to remember a pretty fast Capri in v6 trim. Very quick.

Too bad the guy thinks he as a diamond.

Arn

quote Originally posted by tutnkmn: So, I found this 1979 Mercury Capri RS Turbo (that's the Mustang/Fox chassis based Capri). It's sitting in a field and needs quite a bit I'm sure. The passenger door would have to be replaced for rust but otherwise the car is pretty sound (the floors and sub frame are really solid). It has not been registered since 1991. I have not talked to the owner yet (will today) to see what he wants for it. What do you all think? I have heard that the early 2.3 liter turbo engines had some problems (any Ford fans here know anything about this - I've also posted on Mustang forums but those guys might just be biased on the plus side - being Ford fans and all)? Can that engine be overhauled to make it reliable and increase performance from 132 hp (it would likely need rebuilt anyway)? The Capri would fit the bill for a second car. I love my Fieros but have an 89 year old friend in a wheel chair I need to take with me some places. There is no hauling his chair in the Fieros (both GTs with wings). What I've been looking for is a sport/pony car with cargo space for the chair, some kind of performance and appearance as well as good mileage that can stand in for the Camry when it's down for maintenance. Opinions? Thanks guys and gals

Back in college I had a silver 79 V6 4sped manual and loved it. Stupid thing locked up on me when i stopped driving it every day ( got a decent job and bought a new car ).

I have several Fox mustangs. At last count I think I am up to 10. I have a '79 Indy pace car that has that exact engine as the RS you are looking at. They were fun engines when they ran right but they had big problems blowing the turbos and werent very reliable. As a matter of fact I have to replace the turbo in mine. In '83 they switched to an EFI setup with a different turbo setup as well and those were reliable engines. They were basically the same engine as the SVO but without the intercooler. Many people swap the EFI drivetrains from later turbocoupes into the early carbed turbo cars but the later turbocoupes have a different IHI turbo as opposed to the T3 used on the mustangs and the early turbocoupes.

If that guy is looking for big bucks for that car then look somewhere else. Especially if it has rust (and these things are known to rust).