MK1 3 Litre Capris, How Many Survive ?
Discussion
The weapon to have in the 1970s and 8os, my mum had 2 in the early 70s, VEG 97H, an Aubergine 3000GT and then a Gorgeous 71 J reg 3000E in Tawny Metalic.
I bought my first car ( EVC-289L , a beautifull Yellow 3000GT ) for £550 from a pal in jan 82 plus 500 quid to insure it. Did i have some sideways fun in that, i span it at 100 on a motorway and hit the crash barrier, wrecking the rear 1/4 and in june 82 i swapped it at a dodgy Shark/dealers in Croydon for a 69 Damson TR6 with a bent chassis, they saw me coming a mile away ! But i got my 550 back.
I also had OPU 534K,a green 3000E, KMK 845K,a Saphire Blue , 3000E and 3 others that i cant recall the reg nos of , inc a rare 1970 H-Reg Silver, but repainted black 3000GT, . None of these have survived, they were so common in the early 80s.
Currently restoring this FORDSPORTS DAY black 3000E, the only known survivor of 16 cars .
I bought my first car ( EVC-289L , a beautifull Yellow 3000GT ) for £550 from a pal in jan 82 plus 500 quid to insure it. Did i have some sideways fun in that, i span it at 100 on a motorway and hit the crash barrier, wrecking the rear 1/4 and in june 82 i swapped it at a dodgy Shark/dealers in Croydon for a 69 Damson TR6 with a bent chassis, they saw me coming a mile away ! But i got my 550 back.
I also had OPU 534K,a green 3000E, KMK 845K,a Saphire Blue , 3000E and 3 others that i cant recall the reg nos of , inc a rare 1970 H-Reg Silver, but repainted black 3000GT, . None of these have survived, they were so common in the early 80s.
Currently restoring this FORDSPORTS DAY black 3000E, the only known survivor of 16 cars .
Edited by neutral 3 on Friday 5th February 23:54
Edited by neutral 3 on Monday 19th July 21:10
This is the Race , Sunday, 28th May, 1972, in front of a packed crowd at Brands, Organised by Wiggins Teape, 16 identical 3000Es, driven by 32 Top drivers, inc N.Lauda, B.Muir, F.Gardner, F.Cevert, G.Birrel, B.Ecclestone, T.Dron, G.Hill, E.Fittipaldi, C.Chapman, D.Brodie, battle it out.
Race prepared by Mike/John Young ( SuperSpeed ) Imagine being given a brand new 3 Litre Capri and told, " Go out and have Fun...On Henrys Expense....
Race prepared by Mike/John Young ( SuperSpeed ) Imagine being given a brand new 3 Litre Capri and told, " Go out and have Fun...On Henrys Expense....
Great photos and interesting replys !
The early cars had the Awfull Zodiac Ratioed gearbox and poor breathing, they wernt particularly quick, ( 128 bhp ) but the far better Sept 71 on cars had 138 bhp and although they still had the External linkage g.box,( which used to fall apart ) the ratios were near perfect.
I have so many Great 3 Litre Capri memories, they were everywhere in East London / Essex in the early 1980s , but rust was a huge problem and many were hideously customised.
I had an epic dice late one night with a guy in a twin tail piped GXL, my 3000GT had been tweaked and i was all over his car , when plod decided to intervene, GXL driver had tried to pass me by driveing along the pavement in suburban east london... plod were not amused
In the late 80s a pal and his brother bought a stunning Olypic Blue ( Rare Colour Option) 3000GXL, 4 speed, with all the extras fitted from new. It was a very low miles car, due to it haveing been stolen then abandoned in a quiet East London back street outside an old ladys house. It sat there for 18 months ( yes really ) with the passenger window partly open, before someone reported it.
Dureing the winter of 87 ? i beleive , we had a lot of snow and the elder brother was out in it Playing Hannu Mikala, he lost it in a very Big way and hit a bus shelter....Head On....The 2 brothers had a big fight over this. Now days it would have been repaired, but the ins co wrote it off. A terrible waste.
The early cars had the Awfull Zodiac Ratioed gearbox and poor breathing, they wernt particularly quick, ( 128 bhp ) but the far better Sept 71 on cars had 138 bhp and although they still had the External linkage g.box,( which used to fall apart ) the ratios were near perfect.
I have so many Great 3 Litre Capri memories, they were everywhere in East London / Essex in the early 1980s , but rust was a huge problem and many were hideously customised.
I had an epic dice late one night with a guy in a twin tail piped GXL, my 3000GT had been tweaked and i was all over his car , when plod decided to intervene, GXL driver had tried to pass me by driveing along the pavement in suburban east london... plod were not amused
In the late 80s a pal and his brother bought a stunning Olypic Blue ( Rare Colour Option) 3000GXL, 4 speed, with all the extras fitted from new. It was a very low miles car, due to it haveing been stolen then abandoned in a quiet East London back street outside an old ladys house. It sat there for 18 months ( yes really ) with the passenger window partly open, before someone reported it.
Dureing the winter of 87 ? i beleive , we had a lot of snow and the elder brother was out in it Playing Hannu Mikala, he lost it in a very Big way and hit a bus shelter....Head On....The 2 brothers had a big fight over this. Now days it would have been repaired, but the ins co wrote it off. A terrible waste.
Todd you are right, the finest rear wheel drive fun ever... Not even my Griff 500 comes close.....
I could write a book re my 3 Litre capri escapades, the 1981 East London/Late night Summers eve dice against my pal (in my soon to be first car) on my Z900 Kawasaki, i just couldnt beleive how quick that car was....
My BSM driveing instructors face when when he asked me what car i had bought..."What a 1600 Capri....No,NO, it cant be, not a 3 litre....
And how it used to smoke its tyres....
The guy in the Blue Shelby GT500 who couldnt shake me off...
I could write a book re my 3 Litre capri escapades, the 1981 East London/Late night Summers eve dice against my pal (in my soon to be first car) on my Z900 Kawasaki, i just couldnt beleive how quick that car was....
My BSM driveing instructors face when when he asked me what car i had bought..."What a 1600 Capri....No,NO, it cant be, not a 3 litre....
And how it used to smoke its tyres....
The guy in the Blue Shelby GT500 who couldnt shake me off...
Yes, you are right re Cosworth. The CSL was proveing unbeatable, the " BAT " spoiler kits that had been designed for them were putting them well in front of the RS Capris. Hence the need for more power.
I remember as a kid reading my Fave Magazine Motor Sport and the write ups in there re the epic Capri v CSL battles.
I remember as a kid reading my Fave Magazine Motor Sport and the write ups in there re the epic Capri v CSL battles.
DBSV8 , it Looks a good read , will order a copy.
Anyone know the reg no of Gordon Spices Yellow 3000GT that he used on the 73 Avon Tour ? I beleive it was K registered, RPU maybe ? an Essex series . What became of it ?
Great footage of him on You Tube chaseing James Hunts Monster Camaro at Brands .
Anyone know the reg no of Gordon Spices Yellow 3000GT that he used on the 73 Avon Tour ? I beleive it was K registered, RPU maybe ? an Essex series . What became of it ?
Great footage of him on You Tube chaseing James Hunts Monster Camaro at Brands .
A great photo...Looks like he had it painted Broadspeed Bullit or RS2600 colours ? nice colour scheme and he had a fair while to !
Unusual as it is L Registered, as by Aug 72 the Facelift had been launched, most buyers opting for the new model.
Checked on dvla , sadly it looks like yet another one that hasnt apeared to have survived.
Unusual as it is L Registered, as by Aug 72 the Facelift had been launched, most buyers opting for the new model.
Checked on dvla , sadly it looks like yet another one that hasnt apeared to have survived.
This is the Extra Trim panel that was fitted to the rear panel of the 3000E ( Executive) models .
The E Did have a slightly better dash and centre console, both had a Black Vinle Insert, with the GT Models makeing do with Fake wood effect trim .
"XLR" was the top Spec of Options , but i dont recall ever seeing a GT Fitted with the Trim Panel around the rear lights.
NHK and BOYZEE interesting replys. The Weslake Article makes interesting reading. Quite fancy 230 bhp.
Apparently the best Money per pound mod is a Swaymar Modified Inlet Manifold and Holley Carb.
The Rebuilt Engine that is going into RWC has a V-62 Kent Cam and with Swaymar and A holley, should go quite well. Anyone have these ?
Re Spices Yellow 3000GT , ime not sure that is the Avon Tour car ? Go on to YOU TUBE and look at the Avon Tour 1973 . Spices Capri was almost completely standard looking, complete with Vinle Roof and narrow steel wheels. How he kept Hunts Camaro in sight is anyones guess !
Apparently the best Money per pound mod is a Swaymar Modified Inlet Manifold and Holley Carb.
The Rebuilt Engine that is going into RWC has a V-62 Kent Cam and with Swaymar and A holley, should go quite well. Anyone have these ?
Re Spices Yellow 3000GT , ime not sure that is the Avon Tour car ? Go on to YOU TUBE and look at the Avon Tour 1973 . Spices Capri was almost completely standard looking, complete with Vinle Roof and narrow steel wheels. How he kept Hunts Camaro in sight is anyones guess !
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