As much as I happen to like them, the Mustang II is a very unloved little car. Nevermind that it sold well early on, nevermind that it kept the Mustang name alive through the 1970s, nevermind that a little retro-engineering on the V8 cars really kicks the PintoStang in the ass…it’s hated. And even the most die-hard Ford fans will happily tell you that the Deuce should’ve gone to the glue factory and that one of two different cars should’ve been the 1970s Mustang instead of Iacocca’s “little jewel”. One is the Maverick, and from where we sit we can see why: V8 room, Falcon platform, smaller size than the 1971-73 Mustang by a ton, but not as tiny as the 1974-78 M2. Not a bad starting point. The other car thrown into contention is the 1970-77 Mercury Capri, the captive import that Ford brought over from Europe. 
Using similar powertrains as the Ford Pinto and Mustang II, the Capri earned rave reviews from the press, who loved just about everything that made it more European than either the Pinto or the Mustang II. It wasn’t a bad move, either…Lincoln-Mercury moved over half a million of the cars in the seven years they were shipped over. But every time I’ve seen one in person with maybe three exceptions, they’re dead as a doornail with tall grass growing around them. Had I understood anything about cars back in childhood, I could’ve paid $50 for a green 1977 unit and have had a unique little ride to mess with. But all I knew was that if it came from Europe, it must be expensive to repair and I didn’t move an inch. Shame on me…
With a 2.8L V6, a four-speed and slot mags, the look is pure throwback in all of the right ways. Get some decent rubber at all four corners, keep the six in tune, and enjoy the drive.
In south africa ford sold these with a v8. They called it the perana,
Here in Europe every gearhead exept diehard ford fanatics Call them crapcans. Even most fordfans here would rather drive an escort or mustang than a capri as they were Called here. But it did not matter much as most would be rustet out in a matter of a few years after purchase. They Got alot of bad Press for wery bad handeling and overheating plus rust issues that made the fenders Fall off at the first intersection you meet on the Way home from the dealership. I would take a mustang 1971-73 over a capri any day. They were cheaply made and doomed to be made into dog food cans from day one. I understand that European cars seems exotic for americans, but trust me when i say most Europan ordinary consumeing cars where bad underpowered rustbuckets with the comfort of a parkbench. If you had anything in the 70s that would make 0-60 in under 18 sec, you almost had a racecar.
Just right for a Coyote motor transplant!
Not as cool as the mk1, but still a cool little car. Good base for a wicked IMSA clone.
I had one years ago 1976 model v6 version
Ps that one was root beer brown