1985 Capri 5.0L

[Cougarmanjr]

Below is the Marti Report for my 1985 Capri - work in progress.....
1MEBP79M6FF604658_dlxrpt (1).pdf

Here is the buck tag.....


Here is the door tag......


Hope all this helps....

Steve O.

[TopGear85]

Foxchassis...why is the TuTone listed as "TT" on the buck tag and "XP" on the door tag? I saw the same thing on my 85 and I was just curious why they didn't use the same code for both?

[FoxChassis]

Here are the door tag and buck tag codes for lower tu-tone paint:

1979
door tag = [none - vinyl roof code was the second "paint" code for this year only]
buck tag* = TT

1980
door tag = 1C
buck tag* = TT

1981
door tag = 1C
buck tag* = TT

1982
door tag = 1C
buck tag = TT

1983
door tag = 1C
buck tag = TT

1984
door tag = 1C
buck tag = TT

1985
door tag = XP
buck tag = TT

1986
door tag = 71
buck tag = TT

*Dearborn buck tags only

[FoxChassis]

VIN
1ME = Mercury vehicle manufactured in USA
B = active belts, no airbags
P = passenger car
79 = Capri 3-dr hatchback
M = H.O. 5.0L V8 engine
6 = VIN check digit
F = 1985 model year
F = Dearborn Assembly
604658 = 4,658th 1985 Mercury scheduled for production at Dearborn Assembly

Door Tag
Date - 11/84 = November 1984 scheduled build
F0125 = 125 lbs front accessory reserve load
R0079 = 79 lbs rear accessory reserve load
Exterior Paint Colors - 2R XP = Bright Red (2R), Dark Charcoal lower accent (XP)
DSO - 22 = Dallas district sales office
Body - 61D = Capri 3-door hatchback
Int Trim - PY = cloth Functional Sport Seating (P), Sand Beige interior color (Y)
A/C - 2 = Dark Charcoal
R - 6 = electronic search AM/FM stereo cassette
S - [blank] = no sunroof, no T-roof
Ax - M = 2.73:1 axle ratio, Traction-Lok (limited slip) differential
Tr - 2 = manual Borg Warner transmission (5-speed T-5)
1st BB = front springs
2nd BB = rear springs

Buck Tag
CAPRI = Capri model line
604658 = 4,658th 1985 Mercury scheduled for production at Dearborn Assembly
61D = Capri 3-dr hatchback
M = H.O. 5.0L V8 engine
056_ = body & paint rotations #056_
2RR = Bright Red exterior paint color
TT = tu-tone paint (Dark Charcoal lower accent paint)
DF
ST
AC = manual air conditioner
06
HB = heated backlite (rear defrost)
CRS = Capri 5.0l/RS model/trim level
PW = power side windows
MBW = manual Borg Warner transmission (5-speed T-5)
02 = type of hood/scoop
EL
Y = Sand Beige interior trim color
06
2
X
2
NLR

[FoxChassis]

What is the fourth digit under the screw head of the buck tag? (056_?) How many miles on the odometer?

[Cougarmanjr]

I will pull the screw on the buck tag and see what number is under it. Will confirm miles also, but last I recall it was around 100K. The car has been in storage for about 14 years but for some reason I am remembering that there was a problem with the odometer/speedometer at some point and the odometer is off..... just dont remember what made me think that.

I believe that I am the 3rd owner. I have a bunch of paperwork/repair receipts for the car that go back to when it was just about new. Previous owner sent it down to Kenny Brown and had all the chassis braces installed, upgraded suspension bushings, pan-hard bar, and adjustable Koni's, etc.... Looks like the original springs were left on it though.....

[TopGear85]

That Kenny Brown stuff is awesome to have, it makes your cars story much cooler and more desirable. It's no different from someone sending their car to Saleen for upgrades. The fact that you have receipts is also amazing...so many people make claims, but you have proof. I would say those mads add value to your car, especially because of the paperwork and the fact that it was done back in the day by a reputable Mustang Guru.

How do those mods make the car handle? I imagine the bushings need to be changed and the Koni's as well, but overall how's the handling?

[Cougarmanjr]

Mike,

The car has been in hibernation for almost 14 years (marriage, kids, work, build work shop.........). I still remember when I bought the car, others had passed on it because it "rode like a cattle wagon", at least that was what the seller said. I remember it handling like a dream..... as I was into corning capabilities and not worried about a plush ride at all. There were a few curvy highway on/off-ramps in my commute to work and would look forward to them every morning (traffic was clear). I never messed around too much with adjusting the Koni's, but do remember taking a friend for a ride and being able to hang the back end out easily in a corner and carry it around - and be able to darn near steer with the back end at a 45 deg. Guess I didnt know I was "drifting" back in '96....... There was no flex/twist in the chassis and the rear end stayed planted in corners with the P-H bar.

I am now in the process of doing a full Maximum Motorsports suspension install, so the bushings and everything are being replaced. I am questioning what to do with the Koni's as they appear to still be functional, but I need to cut a part off the top (front struts) to fit the coil-overs on. I may just buy a new set..... I had an engine built by a reputable race-shop outside Grand Rapids MI and it dyno'd at 415 HP (flywheel) and had a pretty flat torque curve around 385-400 ft lbs.

Cant wait to get this car out in the spring....

[79mustangcobra]

LOVE these TT cars! I remember back in 85/86 seeing these TT cars. I have always thought they were so sharp! Can we see a picture? Thanks!!

[Cougarmanjr]

Been a while since I checked this thread...... busy collecting suspension parts and pulling the front end apart.

Here is a pic, will try to get some more......

[TopGear85]

That's one sweet Capri, I love the color combo...sand beige interior...very nice. She's gonna scream when you're done with her. More pics please.

[Cougarmanjr]

I would like to post more pics of the build progress. Any reco on the best spot on the forum to do that? I can get a bit crazy on progress pictures but would like to be able to share the key/major progress pictures. Tried to post some in my profile area but the site doesnt like how big the files were - understandably. Working on getting them more 'net friendly.

This project has been waiting for way too long and am excited to get it on the road this spring (providing the wife doesn't close out the funding on me )

[mustangxtreme]

Any reco on the best spot on the forum to do that?

Online Car show/show & tell