Capri makes motoring milestone

This week saw the local launch of the Nissan 370Z (more here) but the Japanese machine isn't the only coupe celebrating its 40th birthday in 2009.

Although long gone now, unlike the Zed, the Ford Capri achieved iconic status during its 18 years in production. When the Capri was launched at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1969 it was billed as Europe's answer to the US born and bred Ford Mustang.

In keeping with the pony car theme Ford had actually wanted to call the new model the Colt but Mitsubishi nixed that idea.

The Cortina platform was used as the basis for the car while Ford of Europe and Britain each offered a wide range of engines up to a 3.0-litre V6.

The variety of engines was designed to make the Capri appeal to the widest range of customers as possible. It worked and by 1974 the Mk II was launched, continuing the Capri's success.

The Mk III hit the market in 1978 and by the time the car was killed in 1986, 1,866,647 examples had been built.

Just over 15,000 of those were built by Ford Australia at its Homebush plant in Sydney, between 1969 and 1972.

Although it failed to live up to the success achieved by the Mustang, the Capri has passed into automotive legend thanks to starring roles in TV hits such as Minder and The Professionals as well as a stellar racing career in the European Touring Car Championship.

The short-lived resurrection of the Capri model in 1989 is best left forgotten...