The idea that a daily driver needs to be the easily ignored silver potato-mobile does not sit well with me. Growing up, my family attempted to find a commuter car for my stepdad to drive the sixty miles round-trip to and from work, and each and every one was…well, crap. There was the silver 1981 Honda Accord that couldn’t be bothered to get out of it’s own way, the 1984 Nissan Sentra that snapped axles hafts like toothpicks, and we won’t even discuss the 1988 Mazda mini-truck or the Geo Metro. Nowadays there are a ton of options for a car that is both frugal and cool, but most of the older generation vehicles have been pawned off as 1980’s crap and junked. Shame, too, because from where I sit they looked good, some actually pulled really decent mileage and if a little bit of hot-rodding was performed, you would end up with an awesome vehicle that wouldn’t bring about embarrassment.
Of all of the obscure and forgotten special editions, I actually never knew that Mercury had sold a “Black Magic” edition of their Fox-body, the Capri. Effectively a dress-up package, the Black Magic cars ran with the pure-Seventies black and gold color combination, and while the Fox-specific TRX wheels in gold might be a bit much, overall it isn’t bad, and the appearance of the “Cougar Head” graphic on the front fenders is a neat touch. But basically, this is an early Fox Mustang with a different grille and taillights, and that isn’t a bad thing: it means that a rash of aftermarket parts are available and building a Capri isn’t a great big project.
The Capri we found on Craigslist for $1,800 is actually a pretty decent start. It’s a T-top equipped four-cylinder, manual trans model that looks complete and mostly original, with passable exception of the Mustang “Pony” wheels. The Merc certainly could use a paint freshening, but as long as it’s straight we’d simply freshen up the black paint and have the stripe kit re-done…it is available. First instinct for any Fox is to stuff a 302 and five-speed in it, and for a Rough Start candidate, that’s probably a solid bet. But would that be the best bet? I don’t think so…in fact, the Pinto 2.3 can be built up into one solid little screamer, and a turbocharger would help the fun quotient go up higher. Swap the likely four-speed for a T-5 manual and swap on 10-hole wheels with Mercury caps and I’d call it good. But that’s me and I’m used to being told I’m wrong, so you tell me: what would you do with it?
Craigslist Link: 1981 Mercury Capri “Black Magic” edition
Restore it! Maybe with a few upgrades. a turbo 2.3 would be fun and unusual. Coyote if you have the $$ would be different for a few more years.
Lots of help on the internet if you want it. Between FourEyedPride.com and TurboFord.org you should have no problems finding inspiration and help.
I\’m restoring an 84 RS Turbo and those sites were great help. See my blog for all the steps I\’ve taken from rusted roller to almost 🙂 running.
Restomod the Black Magic using the existing 2.3L. Bring it into closer to present time (maybe efi). Maybe SVO upgrades, T3/T4…….
Do not destroy it by going 5.0L. Not too many are still on the street in close to original form.
I like em better than Mustangs of that early fox generation looks cool with the ponys on it.
Unlimited options. Windsor stroker. Mid 80’s SVO power train. How about new Mustang Ecoboost. In any case keep the patina, add subframe connectors, and drive it!!
I’m thinking since It’ll need to be smog legal out here in Ca… put an E-Rod engine in it from GM… and never look back.
I’d look for a Fox body without the T-tops… I don’t have any hair to blow around anyhow.
Sam
I’d crush it before ruining it with a GM paperweight.
I disapprove of CROSS BREEDING
The trans might be a little overkill, but you can get a 5.0/6R100 from a wrecked F150 with low miles, including harness and computer for around $5,000 on ebay. I would imagine Mustang takeouts would be similar. That kinda takes the low buck part out of it, but pretty cool.
If I could post a picture here I would show you the wheels on my 1981 Capri RSTurbo. I went super easy 5 lug with 1995 GT spindles, breaks and fox length 5 lug axles. Front wheels are Lincoln LSC BBS meshes with gold centers and rears are Crown Vic HPP BBS meshes widened to 9 inches.
I’d clean it up and drive it. Upgrade to SN95 brakes, and roll as is
If I wanted more power, is drop in a 3.7v6 out of an 11-14 mustang
They also made these ‘Black magic’ cars in white. And another appearance package called the Crimson cat I believe
The four eyed pride forums have a ton of great info on these cars
I have a Black Magic I just purchased. If you want a set of gold anodized pony wheels for your build, I have a set for sale. They would be better than the silver wheels on a black and gold car. Just my opinion.
Powdercoat those Ponys flat gold, redo the interior (no ugly racing seats or monster tachs bolted to the dash), drop in a 5 speed, an 8.8 rear, and either an EFI 2.3 turbo or a 5.0. Personally I’d go 5.0, but I get the whole economy thing. Then Maximum Motorsport the suspension and upgrade the brakes to 4 wheel disk. Finito!
I have Swapped a Turbo 2.3 from a T-bird with it’s T-5 in to a Fox body Mustang before. ECM & harness from turbo T-bird must be used. It is the simplest way to get decent power out of that car. Then once a Running, Driving car I would later swap over suspension parts, 8.8 rear end, ect. Then build another 2.3L or 2.5L ford 4 with a bigger, better turbo & guts modified for that.