So twice this week, I’ve shown you cars that many of you liked – except for the price. And maybe they were a little expensive for what they were. But since the typical advice is to buy the best version of something you can afford, rather than buying a cheap one to fix up, I thought we’d see what adding a grand or two on top of those other cars’ prices could get us.
The IROC Camaro we looked at yesterday was one such overpriced car. The value in that car, I think, lies in its originality; aside from being parked outside, it has led an easy life, and if not for the rust, it would probably cost quite a lot more. And it’s equipped pretty much exactly how I would have ordered one back in 1988 if I could have.
But that rust … yeah, it does give me pause. Though I have to say, less pause than a haphazardly-modified and hastily-repaired Mustang. We had kind of a short day yesterday, so the vote tally is low, but as of this writing, the Mustang has a slight edge, so I’ll call it the winner. It’s not my choice, however.
Seventeenth-century philosopher Baltasar Gracián once wrote that it is “better to be cheated by the price than the merchandise.” A bargain is only a bargain if it actually costs you less in the long run; usually, it’s better to spend more up front than to incur extra costs down the road, even if the original price is a little steep. So today, we’re going to spend just a little more fake internet money than it would take to buy either that rusty but original Camaro, or the probably one-of-a-kind Corsica. These cars are a little older, but a hell of a lot nicer, and probably better to drive. Let’s check them out.
1973 Mercury Capri – $7,250
Engine/drivetrain: 2.6-liter overhead valve V6, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: Oak Park, CA
Odometer reading: 126,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
The Ford Mustang was a huge success in America, but it wasn’t really designed for anywhere else. American cars are typically too big for European roads, and too inefficient for European fuel prices. So in 1969, Ford of Europe brought out its own Mustang equivalent, the Capri. Like the Mustang, it was based on a sedan platform, in this case the Ford Cortina. But while the Mustang wasn’t suitable for Europe, Ford thought the Capri might do well in America as a smaller alternative to the Mustang, and sold it here through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.
The Capri was offered with a whole bunch of different engines in Europe, but horsepower-hungry America, as usual, stuck to the high end of the range. This one is powered by a 2.6 liter version of Ford’s Cologne V6, in this case paired with a four-speed manual. It has a little hotter camshaft than stock, and is topped by a brand-new Weber carb. The car also has all new brakes, suspension bushings, tires, and steering rack. It has a bunch of spare parts in the trunk as well, sitting alongside – get this – a fuel cell.
The inside looks good, but there are covers on the seats, and I wouldn’t expect miracles under them. Then again, the door cards and carpet look good, so maybe the seat covers are there for protection. One thing I personally would change, however, is that steering wheel. Man, that thing is ugly. A nice Momo or Nardi wheel would transform the looks of this interior; just hang on to the original in case you ever want to sell the car.
It’s a little dull and faded outside, but I bet it would shine back up nicely with a little elbow grease. There’s no rust on it anywhere that I can see, and all the trim looks intact. I’m not a fan of the aftermarket wheels, though; these originally came with Rostyle stamped steel wheels, and it looks wrong without them. And I could do without the tinted windows as well, though I understand why someone would want them in sunny California, especially with a black interior and no air conditioning.
1982 BMW 320iS – $6,200
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8-liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Odometer reading: 246,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
I’ve heard that being the middle child isn’t easy. I wouldn’t know myself; I’m the older of two. But I do feel sorry for the BMW E21 chassis, considering how much more famous both its older (2002) and younger (E30) siblings are. For years, while 2002 values have soared, followed shortly by the E30, E21 prices have stayed low, and I’ve never understood quite why. It’s a sharp-looking car, much like the rest of BMW’s line at the time, and while it’s not what you’d call fast, it is awfully nice to drive.
Part of it may just be the time during which it was produced; the malaise era didn’t hit European cars nearly as hard as domestic makes, but it didn’t leave them alone either. The US-market 320i came with a 2.0 liter version of BMW’s M10 four-cylinder engine, later downsized to 1.8 liters like this one. It makes only 101 horsepower, and takes eleven seconds to get to 60 MPH, which sounds pathetic now, but was actually kinda quick for 1982. It has nearly a quarter of a million miles on it, but it has recently had a bunch of service and repairs, and the seller says it runs great.
This is the rare 320iS model, which includes some extra goodies like Recaro seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, some suspension tweaks, and a limited-slip rear axle – but deletes the factory air conditioning. An A/C compressor from 1982 probably eats up ten horsepower when it’s running, so maybe it’s for the best. There’s some wear and tear inside, as you would expect from the mileage, but it’s totally presentable.
The paint isn’t great on this one either, but again, there’s no rust, and some time with a buffing wheel would be worthwhile. There’s not much you can do about the ginormous 5 MPH bumpers, unless you find and import a set of European bumpers, which is probably not worth it. The BBS wheels are original; they’re part of the S package.
These cars both hit that sweet spot for classic weekend toys that I really like: good-looking, unusual, but not especially valuable or rare, and therefore not too expensive. And they’re both in good enough condition that you could just start enjoying them and keep them up – they’re not projects in any sense. Which would you choose: the German-built baby Mustang, or the unloved 3 Series?
I don’t know whether the underhood plastics in the Capri are less self-destructing than those in the BMW, but I’ve already been there and done that. But I always thought the Capri looked cool.
But I am curious about the fuel cell.
You can go ahead and send me that Capri no please and thank you
Capri for me. I like the style more and I’m not a fan of BMWs. So the Capri gets my vote.
Yellow is usually a non starter for me. But the fact that htis is a west coaster, and likely clean and rust free all around, I would have to go with the odd little Capri. I have never seen headers with a Heat riser for the air intake, that is kind of interesting to see, and I am not sure the headers are worth it on the little V6, but I am still feel like it is clean enough for me to choose it over the Germ Fest Tired Yuppie mobile. and I would never drive a Corsica by choice.
No A/C is a non-starter. I’m too old to sit there and get swamp-ass.
Thank you for including that awesome Corsica in the vote!
Man, I almost voted for the E21; they are super handsome, and were I to buy an old BMW, that’s what I would get, probably. But I’ve always wanted a Capri, so we’ll take the “sexy European.”
Bingo, exactly my thoughts as well. Love the BMW, but I have always wanted a nice Capri.
As of this morning, yesterday’s IROC Camaro is ahead of the Mustang.
Saved by the mail-in ballots!
right, prolly cause the folks that were off yesterday mistook it for this mornings, at least that is what I did lol
When I voted early this morning on a coin toss the Mustang was up two. I wished at the time I voted the other way so it would be tied.
The Capri! Adrian, you like these what do you think. Not black enough or too cheery?
Both, but voted for the BMW.
This era is peak BMW design, and I that Capri has a rust issue around the rear wheel wells that is bigger than you want to admit.
The Capri wins on legend status alone. Maybe it’s the timeframe, but I’ve simply never seen one on the road ever. The BMW is arguably the better car, but it’s totally an Egyptian Pharaoh….Too Dang Common.
The Capri is a bit much but gets my vote. Nice condition and mileage for the price, and it’s unique. The BMW isn’t bad, but it’ll never be as nice as you want it, and I don’t really want a beater bimmer.
A guy I went to high school with had a Capri. I never drove it, but I really loved the interior, especially the puffy seats. So I’m voting Capri.
Incidentally @Mark Sanfilippo Tucker, the Capri was indeed available in the US with 1600 Cortina engine, and later with the 2 liter Pinto OHC.
I know it was. But never with the 1300, or the 1300 or 1500 Taunus V4, which is what I meant by US models sticking to the larger engines.
And that’s only one of my middle names. For the summoning to work, you need to know all seventeen, and say them in the proper order.
My first car was an alpine white e21 (with tucked bumpers and Weber conversion) and I would absolutely pay stupid amounts to have another. There is an amazing sage green one I see every now and then that makes my mouth water
I learned how to drive stick on my dad’s e21. I was casually looking for one for nostalgia, but it seemed like the same two overpriced cars showing up all the time. This actually seems like a good combo of condition vs. price.
Yea that’s exactly the issue. Folks are proud of their e21’s the last few years. I did see an absolute rust bucket puttering around Taos last year and it sparked joy
I picked the bimmer because I love the older cars with clothe interiors. In retrospect, though, I should give the Capri a chance. I have always been biased against American cars of the 70s and 80s, but that is probably a decent driving, fun little car.
Considering its a European car imported to America, yes you should.
The Ford Capri has the V6 and is in really fine shape. That gets my vote.
That BMW would normally be my choice but it’s in rough shape and has the wrong engine. I’ll pick the Capri and convert it to Euro-spec Ford
I normally bleed Blau und Weiss, but in this case, give me that German Mustang all day long and twice on Sunday!
US-spec 320i’s are the definition of “meh” – I’d rather have an ’84 Jetta GLI (oh yeah, I did in period) and the red-headed stepchild between the 2002 and the e30 for good reason. Not as fun or cool as a 2002, and nowhere near as refined as an e30. Make it a gray-market import six-pot, and it would be a different story, but also likely a different price category.
I picked the BMW. They’re both kinda beat and kinda slow. But the BMW at least has a 5-speed so it can cruise easily on the highway.
Capri for sure. They weren’t even Mercuries (Mercurys?), but just Capri by Ford.
I like that steering wheel! It fits what these were – affordable Euro sport coupes…a nicer one would be out of place.
I never thought I’d choose something over a classic 3 Series…but this one is ratty, saddled with a 4 popper rather than an inline 6, and has a quarter million miles. The Capri has half the miles, an extra two cylinders, and it isn’t something you see every day.
What time-warp alternate reality do you live in where you see E21s every day? Please let me know, because I want to be there, too.
Right? I’ve been hunting my first one down for years and never have been able to find it.
There are a couple E21s I see regularly here in Sacramento. Not many, but I haven’t seen a Capri in many years.
The Capri is cool and a car I would actually want to own.
It’s a simple small block swap away from being perfect.
For me is just the simplicity of the BMW and issues I think finding parts for the Capri.
And you can always use modern BMW engines easily into that chasis.
i was going to go for the BMW until i saw the mileage. A quarter million miles is a lot to ask of any car, especially a 40 year old BMW.
I went for the Capri, but it’s overpriced by about $2500 IMO
They’re both crackpot money at those prices and condition.
And I can’t get past the awful yellow on that Capri – It didn’t even look good when it was new.
No thanks.
10 years ago, I would agree with you. Today $5K is the new $1500, like it or not.
Chances are exceptional that prices are never dropping again. No different than back in the ’70s wheyou could buy projects for $100. Inflation is a bitch.
Yeah but for that kind of money I can buy a nice 3rd gen Avalon – with no rust.
So what? Nobody is going to care about an Avalon at Cars and Coffee, nor is it something to play with on sunny Sundays. That’s basic transportation, these are toys. Apples and oranges.
The Capri is cool 😀
The second gen is even better. We got it for 76-78. It’s a hatchback.
The Euro Capri is the real Mustang II and should’ve just replaced the Mustang here after 68.
Capri II!
You know I enjoy your alt universe Mustang timeline, and it’s interesting to ponder whither the Fox since there’d already be a Euro Mustang.
Ponder no more:
http://www.classicandsportscar.com/features/buyers-guide-ford-capri-mkiii
What’s funny to me is the Mk III’s slab-ish front end reminds me of nothing so much as that of the ’71 – ’73 Mustang’s.
The 69 and 70 Mustang models are two of the best looking cars ever produced. If you moved your time line to 71, I’m in complete agreement.
I didn’t know people liked them as much as the original 64-68 version, but sure, that could work. After all, 71 is when Ford started selling the Capri here.