The MK3  code name Carla

Carla was  a revamped MK2 gone was the blunt nose and heavy headlamps, and in their place came a new dynamic shape for the 80's.  The car had lowered suspension and a louvered grille as well as twin headlamps and later the addition of spoilers front and rear for all models.

The range consisted of 1300/1600/ 2000/3000cc  with trim in 'L'  or 'GL'   'S' or top of the range Ghia. Later specials and limited editions like the Cameo Calypso and Cabaret were iintroduced to keep the interest in the Capri alive.

 In 1981 the ultimate Capri was introduced  - the 2.8i - and in 1984 production stopped  of all the  models except the 2.8i  as the special edition LASER appeared.  This was a unique Capri in that it had on as standard all the refinements that had been extra's on other models - extra's like a sunroof,  electric aerial and plush interior, as well as wide decals along the rubber side mouldings, tinted glass etc.  You could also choose a special paint colour -  a limited number (1000) of Capri's could be finished in  Mineral Blue

 The LASER  and the 2.8i were the penultimate options and were  for sale in Britain only -  as the rest of the world,  including Germany, no longer had markets for the Capri. 

The end came in December 1986  with production of the final special limited edition 2.8i.

This had all the refinements of Capri in a special paint of Brooklands Green with red and white striping and red 280.  This car had full 2.8i sp trim and is  known as the 280 Brooklands.

With the end of production on December 19 1986 the Capri had attained a sales figure of just short of 2million  - there are many books which give an exact figure but this is often disputed in the belief that the figure is nearer the two million mark