Hey Russ,
Thanks for checking out the Capri! I've had and restored 3 Capris historically--this is my fourth. As most Capri owners can identify with, I have a love/hate relationship with them. I'm very ambivalent about selling this one, but, as I am restoring a small farm that is taking much of my time, I need to downsize projects. All previous ones I've had were XR2s, wanted a NA one this time for the MPGs. As far as miles on the chassis, I am unsure. Here's the history as I was told. I bought the car from a couple in Tennessee, who started the restoration, who bought it from a man in Texas when they lived there. I don't know of any rust on the panels/body and there doesn't seem to be much underneath, especially compared to the others I've owned. I can take a picture of the underneath if you like, and of the engine bay/interior. There was some superficial rust in the trunk of the vehicle. I have since sanded that and spray coated with rubberized undercoating, and replaced with a stronger top platform. This is just a guess--but it looked like the superficial rust caused by something that stays damp for a while. My guess is whoever had it in Texas may have carried around some hay that got damp in the trunk. I guess that because I sanded many a pieces of hay out of rubberized coating where the spare time lies. Maybe a rancher used it, who knows. I do know the original engine had well over 100,000 miles on it. The couple in TN drove it from TX to TN when they moved. That engine was needing a valve job, but they instead found a deal in a salvaged local Capri that had low miles, around 70K. They went through that engine, added the new radiator, checked and replaced hoses/gaskets, rebuilt the clutch, etc, before they dropped it in the Capri. They had ambitions to ad a aftermarket turbo charger, so they added an XR2 spoiler and gauge cluster to the dash. The XR2 cluster showed about 65-66K on it at time of engine swap, it now shows 71K and some change, which is where I get the 75 K on this engine. The interior of the car has only fair upholstery, like most of these Capris, but I have them covered with new slip-on seat covers. Driver seat has a rip, that I sewed up. It does, however, match the car--interior is grey with a red stripe in the middle of the seats. If I keep the car, I will eventually have them reupholstered in grey and maroon leatherette. Thanks for your interest, I can provide pictures of anything you request. Is there a way to ad pictures to the post?
