Sketches from 1964 had a distinctively American feel about them.Early sketches had a transalantic feel, oddly echoing the work going on over at GM on the new Mustang rivals – the Firebird and Camaro. One even has shades of the front driven Oldsmobile Toronado.Here we see the shift from GM F-body wannabe to what we know as Capri. The kicked up quarterlights are still present, but the grille (which would influence the new compact Escort) is still in design hell stage; maybe there was a Corvair in Dunton at the time?
Final sketches to scale models
The notchback was easily rejected; the coupe style became the definitive article.…but not before making it into scale model form.
Looking more akin to the finished article – note the date of July 1965, nearly four years before launch.
Honing the Capri
Miniature model in the windtunnel.With the design chosen and refined, it’s time to build the full-scale clay model.
Nearing production
April 1966, and it would seem that the Capri’s design is now finalised – aside from the rear-side window profile.It’s still there! On this yumping pre-production Capri, the quarterlight still has its kick and not the production curved item? Did a visiting member of the board stamp their feet and demand the change at the eleventh hour?Final testing…
Interesting……WVX212F is left hand drive.
I have in my loft orginal pictures of the many clay model varients of the mk1 capri
the final 3 designs
Interestingly no one is interested in them
I’m very interested in them!
Stephen, I’m writing a book on the Capri at the moment, https://www.stevesaxty.com – how can I contact you!
Stephen, I’m writing a book on the Capri at the moment, https://www.stevesaxty.com – how can I contact you?