Tyres and wheels for Mercury Capri, wheel size on Мерсуру Сапри

Tires on Mercury Capri (Мерсуру)

The Mercury Capri sports coupe debuted in the North American brand's production lineup in 1969, serving as a response to the growing popularity of compact European cars with a pronounced driver character. The model was created as a more affordable alternative to classic American "muscle cars" and was also intended to compete with imported coupes, primarily the European-produced Ford Capri, Opel Manta, and Toyota Celica.
The car was sold through the Mercury dealership network in North America, but in fact, it was an adapted version of the European "Ford Capri" for the American market. This approach allowed combining compact dimensions, moderate fuel consumption, and a sporty image with the familiar level of equipment for US buyers. Later, the Capri name was used for three different generations of cars, each of which differed significantly in design and concept.

European First Generation

The debut coupe model was created in the European division of "Ford" and was produced at the same plants in Germany and the UK as the original model. The design was based on a classic scheme for that time — a longitudinally positioned engine, rear-wheel drive, and a dependent rear suspension with a solid axle.
The engine range was distinguished by "European" diversity — basic versions offered inline "fours" with a volume of 1.6 to 2 liters. However, the top versions had more suitable for the preferences of North American buyers gasoline V6 with a volume of 2.6 or 2.8 liters, which were combined with a 3-speed "automatic". In the "base" version, the car was offered, among other things, with 4-speed manual gearboxes.

The main advantage of the "Capri" over most American compact cars of that time was handling. A lighter body and carefully tuned suspension provided precise reactions to steering and stability on winding roads. That's why the car was often compared to European sports coupes, while traditional American models focused primarily on power.

The equipment included elements characteristic of more expensive cars: a tachometer, a sports steering wheel, improved seats with developed side support, and decorative interior elements. For buyers who wanted to emphasize the sporty character of the car, trim packages with contrasting stripes on the body and alloy wheels were offered.

American Evolution of the Second Generation

In 1979, the second-generation model was introduced. It differed from its predecessor in the Fox platform, borrowed from the Ford Mustang coupe, which affected both technical components and dimensions — the car significantly increased in size. The chassis retained rear-wheel drive but already came with a 4-link coil spring suspension. In combination with MacPherson struts at the front, this provided more precise car handling at high speeds.

The engine range retained 4-cylinder engines, but a 200-horsepower gasoline V8 with a volume of 5 liters was added, which turned the Capri into a full-fledged representative of the era of American sports coupes. Against the backdrop of the Ford Mustang, it was distinguished by a more expressive design. The front part received a distinctive radiator grille and other lighting elements, and the rear part — an original glass shape and trunk lid. The interior was also designed more elegantly: soft materials, improved sound insulation, and an extended list of options were used. All this made this model one of the most interesting alternatives to the legendary Mustang, offering a sports car with a more rare and uncommon style, which did not help it stay on the assembly line after 1986. Moreover, the coupe did not receive a direct successor in the brand's production lineup.

Updated Format of the Third Generation

The return of the model occurred only in 1991, but in a completely different concept. The third generation turned into a compact front-wheel-drive convertible, primarily oriented towards a young audience and fans of open cars. The technical basis was the Mazda platform, which immediately affected the character of the car. Under the hood, 4-cylinder engines with a volume of 1.6 liters were installed. In the "atmospheric" version, it developed 100 hp, and with a turbocharger — up to 132 hp. The front-wheel-drive layout provided stability on wet surfaces and simpler handling for inexperienced drivers. The suspension with an independent scheme on both axles provided comfort and fairly precise reactions to steering.

The equipment included modern options for the early 1990s: electric windows, air conditioning, central locking, and an audio system with a cassette player. The soft folding roof could be folded manually, and in some trim levels, an electric drive was also offered. The main competitors of the model were considered the Mazda MX-5 and Geo Storm Convertible. Unlike the more sporty "Mazda", the Mercury Capri focused on accessibility and practicality, offering a spacious salon and a trunk suitable for everyday use.

Over the years of production, the Mercury Capri was equipped with wheels of different sizes. The most common options include mounting diameters from 13 to 15 inches, and popular tire sizes were 175/70 R13, 185/70 R13, 185/65 R14, and 195/60 R15. Such parameters provide a good balance between comfort and handling, so owners often choose new wheel sets through the "Mosavtoshina" online store, where you can select the optimal solution for a classic coupe or convertible.

Advantages of selecting tires for Mercury Capri on our website:

- our catalog always features a wide range of tires, allowing you to easily select the optimal variant for this car;
- the assortment of wheel disks we offer includes many design and size options, thanks to which you can preserve the original style of this model;
- extended warranty service for all wheel products purchased from us ensures confidence in the reliability of the purchase;
- our employees will help quickly determine the suitable wheel and tire sizes for a specific generation of Mercury Capri, which simplifies the selection process and eliminates the risk of incompatibility.