“Every bit a driver’s car.”
1980 was the second year for the Fox-body Capri and brought few changes from the debut year, and some of those weren’t great, such as a downgraded V8. There was a new rear deck spoiler standard on all RS models.
The standard powertrain on the base Capri was Ford’s Lima 88 bhp 2.3 liter/140 ci inline four with a Holley-Weber two-barrel carburetor matched with a four-speed manual. Three engine options were available:
- a 91 bhp 3.3 liter/200 ci inline six with a one-barrel carburetor ($169)
- a Windsor 118 bhp 4.2 liter/255 ci V8 with a Motorcraft 2150 two-barrel carburetor ($288), which required the three-speed automatic ($340)
- a Lima inline four with a Holley-Weber two-barrel carburetor and a turbocharger ($481). Sources disagree as to whether this engine was rated at 118 bhp, 120 bhp, or 132 bhp, but everyone agrees that it included a 12.5-gallon gas tank
Thus, for 1980, the fastest available Capri had a 0-60 time of a little under 11 seconds. With an 11.5-gallon gas tank and 23 city/38 highway fuel mileage, the owner of a Capri with the base four could expect a range of about 260 to 280 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
The base 1980 Capri hatchback coupe went for $5,672—about $24,500 in 2026 dollars. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included dual rectangular headlamps, dual paint stripes, a liftback third door, wraparound taillamps, rack-and-pinion steering, front disc/rear drum brakes, and P185/80R13 tires on 13-inch semi-styled steel wheels with trim rings. Inside, vinyl high-back front bucket seats, a fold-down rear seat, a Sport steering wheel, full instrumentation (tachometer, trip odometer, fuel/temperature/oil/alternator gauges), a lockable glove box, and a cigar lighter were included.
The Capri RS ($204) added a simulated hood scoop, a rear deck spoiler, dual remote control mirrors, and P175/75R14 black sidewall tires on 14-inch wheels with Sport wheel covers.
The Turbo RS ($1,185) made the turbocharged 2.3 liter engine standard and added a sports-tuned exhaust system, the Rally Suspension package, and Michelin TRX 190/65R390 tires (they’re still available!) on 15.3-inch forged aluminum three-spoke wheels. Inside, low-back front bucket seats, Deluxe trim, and an 8,000 RPM tachometer were included. Power front disc brakes ($78) were a mandatory option. A base Turbo RS came to $6,935—about $30,000 in today’s dollars and almost what a 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost fastback goes for.
Taking a different direction, the comfortable Capri Ghia included P175/75R14 black sidewall tires with 14-inch wheels with Sport wheel covers. Inside, low-back front bucket seats with European type headrests, a four-spoke Luxury steering wheel with a woodtone insert, and Light Group were included. The Ghia‘s base price was $5,968. Power front disc brakes ($78) were a mandatory option.
Options & Production Numbers
Exterior and mechanical options included tinted glass ($65), a flip-up, removable moonroof ($219), power steering ($160), and power brakes ($78). Inside, Recaro adjustable front bucket seats, air conditioning ($538), an electric rear window defroster ($96), interval windshield wipers ($39), a tilt steering wheel ($78), and the power lock group ($113) were available. A series of five stereos was available, with the most capable being an AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette tape player.
The 1980 Capri sold decently. 79,984 were produced, accounting for 23% of Mercury’s overall sales in a brutally down year.
The View From 2026
Capris come up for sale occasionally in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer.
Make mine Bright Bittersweet, please.
The only other Capri I have covered is the final-year 1986 hatchback coupe. Fox-body Mustangs I have covered include the 1980 Cobra hatchback coupe, the 1981 coupe, the 1982 GT hatchback coupe, the 1983 GT convertible, the 1984 SVO hatchback coupe, and the 1987 LX coupe.
Eighties Cars 