I got this 1994 Mercury Capri from a buddy in November after wanting something to tinker with but also get decent fuel economy. It's been an adventure learning about the car as it is different from everything else I have owned. The first time I went to actually drive the car the alternator locked up and shredded the v belt. I decided to do an alternator, serpentine and v belt, timing belt, water pump, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, vc gasket, LED projector headlights, shifter linkage bushings and a few other odds and ends to make it reliable and bring it into this century.
Managed to also snag a clamshell hardtop from a lady on Craigslist for $100. They typically go for 5 to 600 in good shape without the caddy to carry the top. The 1994 models were reportedly unable to be ordered with a factory hardtop as an option and as such did not have a defroster switch present on the dash but the wiring does exist within the vehicle. I need to buy a switch and I will have a working rear defroster on the hard top for colder months. I will need to reupholster the headliner at some point also. The frame has rust and someone did shoddy rust repair on the passenger side. This will be a good opportunity for me to learn how to fix stuff like that.
The only other thing that I really need to correct is that the previous owner cut the exhaust at the oil pan so he could scrap the cat for money so it is loud as fuck. Despite that somehow the slowest car I've ever owned has been the most fun. Total nugget.
Managed to also snag a clamshell hardtop from a lady on Craigslist for $100. They typically go for 5 to 600 in good shape without the caddy to carry the top. The 1994 models were reportedly unable to be ordered with a factory hardtop as an option and as such did not have a defroster switch present on the dash but the wiring does exist within the vehicle. I need to buy a switch and I will have a working rear defroster on the hard top for colder months. I will need to reupholster the headliner at some point also. The frame has rust and someone did shoddy rust repair on the passenger side. This will be a good opportunity for me to learn how to fix stuff like that.
The only other thing that I really need to correct is that the previous owner cut the exhaust at the oil pan so he could scrap the cat for money so it is loud as fuck. Despite that somehow the slowest car I've ever owned has been the most fun. Total nugget.
