'82 Capri RS decoding

[skulljab]

Hi everyone,
I'm pretty new here at the FEP forums.
I just picked up an '82 Capri RS 5.0/4 speed
71k original miles, red on red. T-roof.
The only thing on the car that isn't original is the driver's seat.
I was curious to see if the car should be kept original or if I should just build it into the fire-breathing monster that I've always wanted.
I found the "ownercard" in the glove box, a piece of metal was attached to it with these numbers:
1mebp67f2cf615697
84 cd 19b z4a7d


Thanks

P.s. these numbers were on the door sticker:
Body: 61D
Ext: 27
DSO:84
Int. Trim:CD
?:A7DZ
?: 4RRHH

[grabbergreen84]

Welcome to FEP! Sounds like a nice car.
Body: 61D - Body type.
Ext: 27 - Bright Red.
DSO:84 - Not sure, Mercury is different from Ford.
Int. Trim:CD - Red vinyl.
A - Air Condioning.
7 - AM/FM MultiPleX cassette.
D - T-Roof
Z - 3.08:1 Rearend gears, limited slip.
4 - Four Speed Transmission - SROD.
RR - Front springs.
HH - Rear springs.

[skulljab]

Thanks a lot,
I'm still unsure if I should keep the car original and just build it.
The factory radio is still in it along with that amp switch next to the radio (still works)
...decisions, decisions....

[grabbergreen84]

Just don't cut anything, and save your stock parts. As long as it's all bolt-ons, it's easily reversible.
There's more info on the bucktag, though it's not as easily decoded. The bucktag is secured to the front of the radiator support, just behind the driver side headlights.
I'm guessing that that car originally had TRX wheels, judging from the steelies on it now? Love that Capri-only hoodscoop too.

[FoxChassis]

VIN 1MEBP7F2CF615697
1ME = Mercury, USA
B = active restraints/manual seatbelts, no airbag
P = passenger car
67 = three-door hatchback body
F = 5.0L V8 engine, 2V, 157 HP
2 = check digit
C = 1982 model year
F = Dearborn, MI assembly plant (DAP)
615697 = production sequence number (~15,697th 1982 Capri produced)

Body 61D = three-door hatchback
DSO 84 = Home Office Reserve
Int. Trim CD = low-back vinyl bucket seat, Medium Red
7 = AM/FM stereo cassette
Z = 3.08:1 rear gearset w/ Traction-Lok differential
RR = D9BZ-5310-R front springs
HH = D9BZ-5560-M rear springs

[skulljab]

Thanks, I really appreciate your input.
I just had the car up in the air today to further inspect it.
Looks like EVERYTHING is original under there, right down to the shocks/springs and brakes!
I can even read the part number on the muffler.
I would assume that it used to have the TRX wheels, I wish I had a set to put on it now.
I'll have to get the numbers from that buck tag, Thanks again guys.
I guess that my ultimate questions is this: Should I bring it back to 100% stock and hope that It'll be worth big money one day, or should I just do whatever I feel like? (change the interior color, stereo, wheels, engine/tranny/rear end swap)

[skulljab]

Hey everyone, I just got the Bucktag info:
CAPRI
615697 61D F TR 035
277 DF ST
AC 05 HB S
CRS DL MOD 07 V
ELECTRIC-D NLR 12 (the 12 is at an angle and not in the same type-face)
I typed it out line by line as it appears on the tag.
Thanks in advance for the help!

[FoxChassis]

CAPRI = model
615697 = production sequence number (last six of VIN, ~15,697th 1982 Capri produced)
61D = three-door hatchback body
F = 5.0L V8 engine, 2V, 157 HP
TR = T-roof
035 = unknown
27(7) = Bright Red exterior paint
DF = unknown
ST = unknown
AC = air conditioning
05 = unknown
HB = heated back glass/rear defrost
S = speed/cruise control
CRS = Capri RS trim level
DL = power dooor locks
MOD = manual overdrive (four-speed SROD) transmission
07 = hood scoop ?
V = unknown
ELECTRIC = unknown
-D = Medium Red interior trim color
NLR = unknown
12 = unknown (probably someone's personal stamp for QC)

[skulljab]

Thanks to FoxChassis and grabbergreen84, I've got all of the options and features that you guys have decoded for me.
Now....onto another forum to find some NON-red interior pieces.....
Thanks again!

[75coug]

I guess that my ultimate questions is this: Should I bring it back to 100% stock and hope that It'll be worth big money one day, or should I just do whatever I feel like? (change the interior color, stereo, wheels, engine/tranny/rear end swap)

It will not be worth big money for a long time, if ever, because that's just the way it is with these cars, unfortunately. I would still go the original route with a car such as yours, however. There are plenty of previously-molested cars out there that can be further modified, while the number of originals is dwindling rapidly.

[negusm]

find some NON-red interior pieces.....
Thanks again!

What's wrong with red? If it's restored right, it looks awesome!

-Mike