MK1 3 Litre Capris, How Many Survive ?
Discussion
Capri roof drains....how could i forget them......In around 1986, i did a swap on a Saphire Blue 3000 Facelift, M reg,Auto, the one with the Hideous Huge square headlamps ( must be as rare as hens teeth now as they wernt common then ) .
It had a Factory fitted steel sunroof , but the roof was starting to bubble up every where so i rapidly sold it. It was very slow as well, many of the 3 Litres were mechanically tired when i owned them, with the exception of EVC-289L, which was a very quick car.
Re the 1970 , "426 Hemi Challenger"......WHAT A CAR....my late Father shipped it over from Pennsylvania in late 1972. It was a White "RT SE" ( Small Rear Window ) White Vinle Roof , Auto, Red interior, Chrome boot rack, one Owner ( his Faboulousy wealthy friend) who bought it new . I well remember my first sight of it and rideing in it.
It kept breaking fan belts and i also remember the Honda Four Rider who couldnt beleive how quick it was from the Lights somewhere on the North Circ Rd !!. Muscle cars were bad news then, almost impossible to sell. He sold it on to an American Car Dealer in London,in early 1973. i have been trying to trace it for years, without success. If i can get the photos ( Ex wife has them ? ) i will put them on here .
It had a Factory fitted steel sunroof , but the roof was starting to bubble up every where so i rapidly sold it. It was very slow as well, many of the 3 Litres were mechanically tired when i owned them, with the exception of EVC-289L, which was a very quick car.
Re the 1970 , "426 Hemi Challenger"......WHAT A CAR....my late Father shipped it over from Pennsylvania in late 1972. It was a White "RT SE" ( Small Rear Window ) White Vinle Roof , Auto, Red interior, Chrome boot rack, one Owner ( his Faboulousy wealthy friend) who bought it new . I well remember my first sight of it and rideing in it.
It kept breaking fan belts and i also remember the Honda Four Rider who couldnt beleive how quick it was from the Lights somewhere on the North Circ Rd !!. Muscle cars were bad news then, almost impossible to sell. He sold it on to an American Car Dealer in London,in early 1973. i have been trying to trace it for years, without success. If i can get the photos ( Ex wife has them ? ) i will put them on here .
Ha Tali1, the car park of the Epping Forest Country Club used to be full of 3 Litre Capris ( or if you had Wedge, Corvette Stingrays ) on a Fri or Sat night.
My mate pulled out of there one night in his Mint White GXL , gave it a bootfull and the seat back colapsed on him. A common fault on these cars .
He used to drive it with the spare wheel wedged behind his seat....
My mate pulled out of there one night in his Mint White GXL , gave it a bootfull and the seat back colapsed on him. A common fault on these cars .
He used to drive it with the spare wheel wedged behind his seat....
Yes DBS , that is my GENUINE , Brands Hatch , May 28th 1972 , FordSports day car.
And Correct, none of the 16 cars in that race ( as far as my Extensive research has uncovered ) had a sunroof. A sliding Steel " GOLDE "? Sunroof was a 3000E and GT Expensive option.
She still the holes in the rear floor for the single roll over hoop and the crude fibreglass matting/Fireproofing of the rear bulkhead, that was fitted by Mike/John Youngs team @ SuperSpeed.
It was registered to Ford Warley, until March 73, we beleive it was given to a now deseased Wiggins Teape Senior Manager after the race as his Company car. Her first Owner was in Beckenham, Kent.
Re the vinle Sunroof, it was fitted some time after the race. A previous owner ( 1981-85 ) has confirmed ( with photos ) that it was fitted when he owned her.
One of those Awfull vinle sunroofs was the cause of a terrible high speed accident that i had in my first 3000GT. Many Mk1 3 Litres had them in the early 80s.
Dont really want to sell her, but other projects and a very severe motorcycle accident mean she has been pushed to the back of the que, but only serious money will buy her.
And Correct, none of the 16 cars in that race ( as far as my Extensive research has uncovered ) had a sunroof. A sliding Steel " GOLDE "? Sunroof was a 3000E and GT Expensive option.
She still the holes in the rear floor for the single roll over hoop and the crude fibreglass matting/Fireproofing of the rear bulkhead, that was fitted by Mike/John Youngs team @ SuperSpeed.
It was registered to Ford Warley, until March 73, we beleive it was given to a now deseased Wiggins Teape Senior Manager after the race as his Company car. Her first Owner was in Beckenham, Kent.
Re the vinle Sunroof, it was fitted some time after the race. A previous owner ( 1981-85 ) has confirmed ( with photos ) that it was fitted when he owned her.
One of those Awfull vinle sunroofs was the cause of a terrible high speed accident that i had in my first 3000GT. Many Mk1 3 Litres had them in the early 80s.
Dont really want to sell her, but other projects and a very severe motorcycle accident mean she has been pushed to the back of the que, but only serious money will buy her.
Edited by neutral 3 on Sunday 18th July 13:59
If its an every day driver, go for a September 84 on Injection Special, 5 speed box gives better motorway economy, nice half leather recaro trim and an L.S.Diff as well and far nicer wheels.
Forget the Brooklands model, over priced and over rated.
HOWEVER.......if its Noise and SIDE WAYS FUN your After and the Investment factor, it just has to be a MK1 3 Litre. Sept 72 ( K Reg ) cars had 138 bhp and far better gear ratios,
GXLs ( L-Reg, Sept 72 onwards ) are slightly more desireable, nicer gear change,( gear lever goes direct into the box ) quad head lamps, rear Anti Roll bar ( which does nothing )nicer dash board. However, many had the Optional Steel Slideing Sunroof, these cars can rot more than non sun roof cars, due to the drain channels blocking. You will also pay a price premium for a GXL . Many were Autos, not a problem as a fairly easy conversion to manual and an Auto will probably had a far easier life.
Forget the Brooklands model, over priced and over rated.
HOWEVER.......if its Noise and SIDE WAYS FUN your After and the Investment factor, it just has to be a MK1 3 Litre. Sept 72 ( K Reg ) cars had 138 bhp and far better gear ratios,
GXLs ( L-Reg, Sept 72 onwards ) are slightly more desireable, nicer gear change,( gear lever goes direct into the box ) quad head lamps, rear Anti Roll bar ( which does nothing )nicer dash board. However, many had the Optional Steel Slideing Sunroof, these cars can rot more than non sun roof cars, due to the drain channels blocking. You will also pay a price premium for a GXL . Many were Autos, not a problem as a fairly easy conversion to manual and an Auto will probably had a far easier life.
Just rescued this 73 L-Reg 3000GXL.......Low mileage, Lovely interior and the body is pretty good too.
What makes it interesting is that it is a Desireable 4 SPEED and NO SUNROOF VERSION and its in a Great Colour, Which i am still trying to remember the name of , Copper Bronze ? With a Tan Vinle roof.
Many GXLs were Autos, and most had the Steel slideing Sunroof. So This one would be ideal for a Race Car build.
Not much History yet, except that She was first registered in North West London and by 2005 was in Liverpool !
What makes it interesting is that it is a Desireable 4 SPEED and NO SUNROOF VERSION and its in a Great Colour, Which i am still trying to remember the name of , Copper Bronze ? With a Tan Vinle roof.
Many GXLs were Autos, and most had the Steel slideing Sunroof. So This one would be ideal for a Race Car build.
Not much History yet, except that She was first registered in North West London and by 2005 was in Liverpool !
Yes AP you are right, the colour isn't Copper , but ime pretty sure it isn't /wasn't Tawny ? Have been told that Tawny was dropped for 73 ?
It's very hard to read , but the paint code appears to be S if that helps ?
Will try to get a Better look at her to see what the Orig colour was tomorrow .
It's very hard to read , but the paint code appears to be S if that helps ?
Will try to get a Better look at her to see what the Orig colour was tomorrow .
She was first registered in June 73 L-Reg. And in the early 80s when they were common/ and i was allways on the look, i dont recall ever seeing a GXL in this colour. Unless The Orig Colour was Tawny ?
Was hopeing to get another look at her today to try to identify the orig Colour, but I havnt had a chance yet.
Was hopeing to get another look at her today to try to identify the orig Colour, but I havnt had a chance yet.
YES A.P. you are right re the Vinle roof option.....but ime confused even more now. ! It may be a replacement vinle ? But my mums 71 3000E in Tawny, had a Tobacco Vinle roof ime sure ?
Drove her a short distance today, my first time behind the wheel of a 3 litre since 1986, memories came flooding back, she caused a huge stir on the ind estate !!
Drove her a short distance today, my first time behind the wheel of a 3 litre since 1986, memories came flooding back, she caused a huge stir on the ind estate !!
Razetter, i had a Saphire Blue 3000E , KMK-845K, blue interior, manual, i fitted twin Cibie Oscars to it.Spax on the rear, lowered at the front.
I rescued her from a front garden in Loughton, where she had sat for about a year. Owned her about 1983, i swapped her for a respray with an aqaintance on my TR6 , but he didnt finish my TR . He sold her to a guy who worked in a Tyre Place in Forrest Gate. Sadly she was stolen from the tyre place and never seen again. Was a great car
I rescued her from a front garden in Loughton, where she had sat for about a year. Owned her about 1983, i swapped her for a respray with an aqaintance on my TR6 , but he didnt finish my TR . He sold her to a guy who worked in a Tyre Place in Forrest Gate. Sadly she was stolen from the tyre place and never seen again. Was a great car
After what i beleive to be around 20 years, 3000E , RWC-399K , Nicki Lauda and Bill Stones old May 28th 1972, Brands Hatch/FordSports Day Warriors tired Springs and shocks are no doubt groaning under the weight of the 3 Litre V-6 Lump that i fitted to her on sunday.
Not had her running yet and a long way to go, inc a body rebuild,lack of cash etc before she returns to Brands for a Magazine feature. May 28TH 2012 is the Target Date.
Not had her running yet and a long way to go, inc a body rebuild,lack of cash etc before she returns to Brands for a Magazine feature. May 28TH 2012 is the Target Date.
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