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- 1983 Tickford Capri
Aston Martin1983 Aston Martin Tickford Capri Dimensions, Size & Specs| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1983 |
| Production Years: | 1982 - 1985 discontinued in 1985 |
The Aston Martin Tickford Capri is a distinct and rare coupe produced by Aston Martin from 1982 to 1985, with the 1983 model year representing one of the core years of its limited production. This vehicle is notable for its unique design, combining British craftsmanship with the sporty silhouette of a coupe, built on the foundation of the Ford Capri but extensively reworked by Tickford, Aston Martin's coachbuilding division. With a production span of only about three years, the Tickford Capri remains a collector's gem among classic cars.
As a coupe, the Tickford Capri features compact dimensions fitting the era's sport coupe segment, with typical length and width measurements that balance sporty agility with a comfortable two-door cabin. While exact official measurements vary, the Tickford Capri's overall length is approximately 4,180 mm (164.6 inches), fitting it neatly within the mid-size coupe category common in the early 1980s. Its width is designed to complement the aerodynamic profile and exclusivity of its design.
Thanks to its bespoke coachwork by Tickford, which included unique body panels, upgraded suspension, and luxurious interior touches, the Tickford Capri offered an exclusive driving experience with both style and performance enhancements compared to the base Ford Capri. The vehicle's weight was optimized for performance and handling, typically ranging around the 1,200 to 1,300 kg (2,646 to 2,866 lbs) mark.
Under the hood, the Aston Martin Tickford Capri retained robust engine options characteristic of the era's sporty models, featuring inline-four or six-cylinder configurations tuned for a blend of sporty performance and refinement suited to a grand touring coupe. The car remains a testament to Aston Martin’s dedication to bespoke craftsmanship during a period when the brand was exploring smaller, performance-oriented models.
Overall, the Aston Martin Tickford Capri (1982-1985) is a unique and collectible classic British coupe with balanced proportions, an exclusive production run, and a legacy as a finely crafted vehicle that combined Ford-based underpinnings with Aston Martin’s performance and styling expertise. It stands out in historical size comparisons of early ‘80s sport coupes, offering a compact yet performance-focused package ideal for enthusiasts of vintage British sports cars.
Discover the standout features that make the 1983 Aston Martin Tickford Capri a leader in its class
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The Aston Martin Tickford Capri, produced between 1982 and 1985, is a coupe with a distinctive and sporty design. Although detailed official dimensions are rare due to the limited production, the car generally measures approximately 4,288 mm (168.8 inches) in length, 1,615 mm (63.6 inches) in width, and around 1,320 mm (51.9 inches) in height. These compact dimensions emphasize its sleek and aerodynamic profile common to sports coupes of the early 1980s. The relatively low height contributes to a sporty, aggressive stance, while the length and width provide a balanced and manageable footprint for a performance vehicle.
The Aston Martin Tickford Capri typically weighs about 1,250 kilograms (approximately 2,756 pounds). This relatively light weight for a coupe of its era, combined with its rear-wheel-drive layout and powerful engine options, allows for nimble handling and spirited driving dynamics. The weight balance helps the car maintain agility on winding roads, which is essential for a grand tourer combining performance and comfort. The modest curb weight also contributes positively to acceleration and fuel efficiency compared to heavier luxury coupes of the same period.
The wheelbase of the Aston Martin Tickford Capri is approximately 2,635 mm (103.7 inches). A wheelbase of this length strikes a balance between stability at high speeds and responsive handling. For sports coupes in the early 1980s, this length supports good road manners by providing a stable platform, reducing pitch during acceleration and braking. However, given its sporty two-door coupe design, the interior space, especially rear passenger legroom, is limited, typical of grand tourer vehicles where performance focus somewhat outweighs rear cabin comfort.
With an exterior width around 1,615 mm (63.6 inches), the Aston Martin Tickford Capri offers a snug, driver-focused cabin typical of 1980s sports coupes. The interior width is constrained by the coupe’s styling and sport-oriented structure, meaning that while front occupants enjoy adequate space and ergonomically designed seating, rear-seat passengers may find the cabin tight. The compact width enhances driving dynamics but limits lateral space, so the car is best suited for 2+2 seating with limited rear-seat comfort.
The ground clearance of the Aston Martin Tickford Capri is relatively low, approximately 120 mm (4.7 inches), which is typical for sports coupes emphasizing handling and aerodynamics. This low clearance improves stability and reduces aerodynamic drag at higher speeds, contributing to better road-holding and performance. However, it means drivers need to be cautious on uneven or rough roads, speed bumps, and steep driveways, as the underbody is vulnerable to scraping. The trade-off favors sporty driving characteristics over rugged practicality.
Yes, the Aston Martin Tickford Capri fits comfortably in a standard residential garage. Given its length of around 4,288 mm (168.8 inches or roughly 14.1 feet), width of 1,615 mm (63.6 inches or about 5.3 feet), and height of 1,320 mm (51.9 inches or approximately 4.3 feet), it is smaller than many modern vehicles. Standard home garages generally provide a space of about 6 meters (roughly 19.7 feet) in length and 3 meters (9.8 feet) in width, so the Capri occupies less than these dimensions, allowing for sufficient clearance around the car for easy parking and access.
The Aston Martin Tickford Capri was a highly modified version of the Ford Capri Mk III, but it shared a similar basic platform. Dimensionally, while the Ford Capri Mk III measured about 4,390 mm in length and 1,700 mm in width in some trims, the Tickford Capri was modified primarily in performance and luxury rather than size, maintaining a length close to 4,288 mm and a slightly narrower body due to bespoke body styling and aerodynamic tweaks. The Tickford Capri incorporated Aston Martin’s unique design cues, resulting in a sportier, more exclusive profile compared to the utilitarian and mass-market Ford Capri.
Compared to other luxury sports coupes from the early 1980s, such as the Porsche 911, BMW 6 Series, or Jaguar XJ-S, the Aston Martin Tickford Capri is relatively compact, with dimensions that make it agile and manageable in urban environments. Its length and width are comparable to the Porsche 911 of the era, a benchmark for sports coupes, though the Tickford Capri offers a distinct British grand tourer exclusivity, limited production, and bespoke craftsmanship. While many contemporaries emphasized performance or luxury alone, the Tickford Capri combined both with a unique niche appeal and significantly lower production numbers, making it a rare and collectible model.
The Aston Martin Tickford Capri came equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine, producing roughly 280 horsepower, which was quite powerful for the early 1980s. This powertrain allowed the car to achieve respectable acceleration and cruising abilities for its class, characterizing it as a true grand tourer with the ability to perform well both in spirited driving and comfortable long-distance travel. The combination of lightweight construction, turbocharged power, and rear-wheel-drive dynamics delivered a driving experience that was both engaging and refined.
The trunk space in the Aston Martin Tickford Capri is relatively limited, in line with its design as a sporty two-door coupe focused primarily on performance rather than cargo utility. Approximate cargo capacity ranges around 200-250 liters (7.1-8.8 cubic feet), typical for grand tourers of the period. This space is enough for light luggage or groceries but may not suffice for larger items or extended travel gear. Owners looking for practicality would find it sufficient for weekend trips, but the car's emphasis remains on style, speed, and driving enjoyment rather than cargo carrying capacity.
