Car Spotting

[Gerard C]

Yes sir! Will do it, sir! Buuuut may be not to this one, was too fast, sir!

[Gerard C]

Spotted by a french bloke at LA,a classic Mercury.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...3&locale=fr_FR

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Spotted by a french bloke at LA,a classic Mercury.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...3&locale=fr_FR

Apart from the front grill, lights and bumper (fender), that could well be a V6 Capri.

[Peter Mallett]

Looks very much like a series one Capri 3 litre GT XLR, also known as the Mercury Capri. I had one in White.

[Gerard C]

Dunno about the displacement but as to the bonnet hosting a V6 I tend to agree. This reminds that the Capri intended for the EU market was designed by the US team. What a success.
Peter don't you think the rear lamps say it's a Mk 1,5 aka facelift? Headlamps surrounds look like those fitted to the RS but somewhat different.

[Peter Mallett]

Well the lesser volume series 1 Capris had a flat bonnet. Only the 3litre had the hump. The series two had twin headlights and the hump on all versions. And yes, it was designed by Philip T Clark who was involved in the Mustang. https://bvac.org.uk/how-the-ford-cap...sed%20yourself'.

[Gerard C]

This one cherished by "dear" Brewer was a '76. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6xc1hi

[Gerard C]

I remember someone mentioned (may be J Walton, not sure?) that the two design depts were challenged to find a proper design. Strange enough, in the US they found a better shape for the euro market. Of course, more than often, stupid journalists refer to the Capri as being a Mustang for the poor! Yes, I remember we already talked about this, namming many cars as hairdresser-cars.

[Peter Mallett]

Interesting that the Mercury Mk2 version had twin headlights unlike the UK version which had the bugeyes. Note the rear lights are Mk1 Capri/Escort.

[Gerard C]

As to hairdresser car or gay wonder, it seems my garage hosts still one Capri and… a Miata! Know what? Bother!

[Gerard C]

Yes, the WD car is somewhat strange. My black beauty is a 74/75 but founding it the ugliest Capri ever I had it converted to a MKIII as t'was a la mode in period. Later, I went back to the original MKII look because I aint pretty too and love her as she is. Many body panels are specific and all the lights are almost impossible to source now, specially the front turnlights.

[Gerard C]

Belonging to our poor french club, we have a Brit member (ex RAF Spitfire pilot, respect to him) who owns a set of Fords of course. In his stable, he has two Crayford's, one is a Capri, the other a Cortina like those:
https://www.postwarclassic.fr/324721...cs-auctioneers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1696...0788950350168/

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Apart from the front grill, lights and bumper (fender), that could well be a V6 Capri.

I do believe Mike that this is most certainly a Capri, an American specification one...

[joeb]

Moving crane!

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by joeb

Moving crane!

It always makes me chuckle when I see a big sign on the back or front of these vehicles stating that they are wide or oversize loads.Surely if you can't see that for yourself without the sign, then you either need your eyesight checked or, much more likely, you shouldn't be driving.

A possible exception might be the sign warning of a long load.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

A possible exception might be the sign warning of a long load.

Where is it on the picture, please?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Where is it on the picture, please?

Dead center mass at the rear, yellow banner across it. But agree, if you can't tell that thing is wider than a lane, park it you're a pedestrian now


Sorry, misread that. No long load on it. But that would be a decent idea so you know passing opportunities if road width, especially when a lane ends ahead

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by joeb

Moving crane!

I don't think that's a crane. At least not one I'm familiar with. What is it Joe????

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Where is it on the picture, please?

Charge surdimensionnée! Surdimensionnée can't be a real word, that is unpronounceable.

[broadrun96]

Glad it wasn't just me, looked like a test drill or something similar

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Spotted by a french bloke at LA,a classic Mercury.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...3&locale=fr_FR

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Apart from the front grill, lights and bumper (fender), that could well be a V6 Capri.

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Looks very much like a series one Capri 3 litre GT XLR, also known as the Mercury Capri. I had one in White.

I haven't seen a Capri since I was a kid. I don't think they are appreciated here as much as they should because Ford also had the Maverick and Pinto and GM had the Vega/Monza/Starfire/Sunbird/Skyhawk that all served similar roles. Buick had the Opel Gemini as well. Only the Monza gets any love these days.

Also, the Capri went through some drastic changes that may hurt its allure as it started out as the UK version, then became a Fox Body in the 80s, then we got the Aussie Capri in the 90s.

[broadrun96]

Ugh, Monza. All I remember is it aged like milk in the sun in the family. Learned all about pulling the motor apart from mom's 77/78 Monza GT. And the white cane weave vinyl seats

[broadrun96]

Not personally spotted, police vehicle spotting group



I've looked in to it and yup, that's actually a county issued car. It was awarded to the county after seizure, it was part of a car VIN swapping theft ring so not eligible for resale or return. And yes, that's a school patrol officer car

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Charge surdimensionnée! Surdimensionnée can't be a real word, that is unpronounceable.

Ha, OK, now you say… As to the Monza it was said to be the coupé version of the european Commodore. Not really a Commodore coupé, much better than the Capri, modern 3L injected engine, IRS at rear and stuff. In comparison the Capri seemed stuck in the '70s, rear live axle and the injection came lately with the 2,8 L engine. Sales figures proved that people are rather conservative here, few Monza's were sold down here.

We have some Police special depts using seized cars which I find a very good idea. Hard to catch a go-fast Audi twin-turbo driving a diesel Berlingo carrying three fat cops!

[Gerard C]

Because Berlingo can be a sweet here, un bonbon to please now french fluent JH, I feel the banner could show up. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_Berlingo

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Ha, OK, now you say… As to the Monza it was said to be the coupé version of the european Commodore. Not really a Commodore coupé, much better than the Capri, modern 3L injected engine, IRS at rear and stuff. In comparison the Capri seemed stuck in the '70s, rear live axle and the injection came lately with the 2,8 L engine. Sales figures proved that people are rather conservative here, few Monza's were sold down here.

We have some Police special depts using seized cars which I find a very good idea. Hard to catch a go-fast Audi twin-turbo driving a diesel Berlingo carrying three fat cops!

Hell that described the Mustang until fairly recently too